Evening star., 1899-04-07
IN PORTO RICO
Rapid Progress Under American Ad-
ministration of the Island.
GOOD Times FOR THE INHABITANTS
Order Established and Improve
ments Evident Everywhere.
ADVANCE IN EDUCATION
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico March 8, 1899.
The leader of the party adverse to the
United States claims eight-tenths of the
responsible citizens of Porto Rico in his
following. Were this the prospect would
be discouraging indeed But it is false.
The people who have won position and
property here have too much sense for this
statement to be possible. Four-fifths of
them are neither knaves nor FOOLS They
see plainly that tine current of history has
separated them from Spain and united them
permanently to America, to which conti-
mental system their island naturally be-
longs. Trade is shifting from Spain, indeed
from Germany, and all European connec-
tions, and when Congress can act and ad
just the tariff the American connections
will be established and commanding in their
influence.
The increased productiveness of all farm
ing industries which American education
and enterprise bring will give capital
give it better pay. Both capital and labor
will yield to the combined influence of right,
reason and personal benefit.
Good Order Established.
At present Americans who come here ex-
pecting to pick up great fortunes in the
street have not a little influence in con-
trbuting to any existing spirit of discon-
tent. The promptness and dtrectness with
which disorder and crime are punished are
not agreeable to criminals. They may al
ways be counted upon to cry out against
law and order, but the presence of the
United States army assures a liberty so
broad in its contrast with the tyranny of
Spain that any leader who attempts to
draw the people after him by declaring this
a military deSpo;iSm" will find himself
more and more mistaken in his attempt to
rally a following or to create a notion in
the states that it exists here. Any one who
will look with care into present conditions
will be surprised that soon after war,
and the change of national sovereignty, all
is peaceful and that prosperity has re-
turned. Liberty. regulated by law, is as
sured here now by the presence of the
United States army. The great body of
soldiers intelligent, orderly and truly
American, and command the respect of the
people among whom they are stationed.
The officers, more than privates, have the
opportunity of Illustrating in their inter
course with the people the knowledge of
free institutions, possessed by intelligent
American citizens. But supreme over the
indications of personal character, which are
SO important, are the regulations and
ders. The regulations embody the legisla-
ton of Congress in regard to the conduct
of privates and officers, both in times of
war and times of peace. Those of no ma
civilization. The enlisted men must furnish
evidence Of good physique, good intelligence
and good morals. Still SeVerer tests are
applied to officers. True, there are excep-
tionS but opinions must be formed accord
ing to the rule, and not its violations.
With these conditions under the eye of the
American government and people, it will
be difficult to produce a military despoism
or any other form of tyranny.
General Henry's Record.
Looking over the orders issued here by
Gan- Guy V. Henry, commanding the de-
partment, in the last several months, not
one can he found bearing the mark of the
evils of despotism in the smallest degree.
Not one has been issued to promote a
wrong or encourage abuse, or to inter
fere with the liberty of doing right
cOuraging vice or immortality, but from first
to last they bear evidence of 4 supreme
purpose, constant and controlling, to find
out and accomplish the best things for the
people of the island. He is an officer of
great simplicity of manner. All persons,
however humble, are received with kind
ness; all abuses considered, and appropriate
correctives applied. The extent to which
Spanish officers robbed the people and en-
riched themselves is notorious. There is no
evidence that an American officer is taking
advantage of his position to make money.
Honesty is enforced in every department
of service
The costly harbor works SO unproductive
of benefit have been abolished, and the
actual work is pushed with vigor, prompt
ness and economy Wishing to rebuild a
light house, destroyed by the bombardment,
Gen. Henry was informed that 1t would
take four months and $5 900. Under our
naval commanders 1t takes a month and
costs $1,000. Two estimates for the same
road work wers submitted one for 100000
a q nj hpr fnr AS
may now be said to be done in half the
time, and at half the cost. Waste is pre-
vented, and contractors are held to their
responsibility, and the quality of tha work
is improved. The repair and building Of
roads are going on apacs, on plan care
fully studied to make every improvement
and accomplish the greatest good for the
largest number. Under Spain there was
one good military road, and patches graded
here and there apparently ON the principle
Of 1obbery and favoritism. AS a result of
the change, not only much larger num-
Der, idle from the results of the war and
defective crops, will be economically en-
ployed, and thus enabled to furnish them
selves with bread, but facilities for moving
the crops will be improved. The railroad
system so greatly needed arrested in It's
progress by the dishonesty or arbitrariness
of the Spanish rule, is rapidly being COM
pleted under the just American adminstra-
ton Of law and regard for contracts.
Progress in Education.
Improvement in roads Is closely related to
the attendance on schools. There are many
streams, some very rapid, and children
would have to cross stream in instances
several times on their way to school up to
| their armplts in water at the risk of their
lives. Under Spanish rule only 2, 700 out
of 125 600 of school age were reported en-
rolled in school. Teachers were underpaid
and thousands of dollars are still due them
Schools were taught in private houses more
| than half the pupils were unsuppled with
text books. the rich could secure educa-
| ton at will; but the instruction of those
dependent on public schools was treated
with Indifference or contempt Mr.. Rivera,
when in power, assured the teachers in the
| country that they could only expect fifteen