The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-04-06
TROUBLE BREWING AMONG
NATIVE PORTO RiCANs.
The Chief Cause Il the Rough Usage Re-
ce.yed a; the Hands OF Soldiers--
Fruit Rotting on the Trees.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO. March
there Is not at present any
danger Of serious Disturbances. there ia
much Dissatisfaction among the lower
class natives rhroughout the Island and
there has been a good deal OF violent
talk by the ignoran, against the new re-
glme. The chief cause Of this anti
American feeling b the increase in the
sost OF living since the American Occu-
patton began and the Hl-treatment that
many Of the natives in the country dis
tricts have received a; the hands Of the
rough soldiers.
Dissatisfaction Is also expressed al the
delay ia making the island part or a
territory OF the United States. with the
privileges and advantages that wouid az
crue 70 the island from such relation,
especially in the matter OF trade. This
the Porto Ricans were undoubtedly led
to believe would be the result Of the ac-
aulstion Of Porto Rioo by the Unlted
States.
But. as things have turned out. the
prices Of all kinds OF commodities have
advanced considerably; and the cost OF
! living Is very much higher now than Il
was IN the days OF Spanish dominion.
The merchant however. is uncertain as
to the customs duties that will have to
be paid, and be does not cure to order
more than Is actually necessary. Nor
Is the agricuituralist in a mood TO ex-
tend his cultivation until ne can be as
sured OF a safe market for his products
Everybody Is getting along with the
least possible expenditure. and there Is
Undoubtedly much misery and discomfort
Many who are without employment are
lyfng hungry about the towns and they
CONSTITUTE the material witch mischief
makers use in working UP irritation
lagainst the Americans.
! The conduct Of the Unated States troops
IN Ponce Cuguas and other places has
Iaroused many OF the natives to defend
themselves. and in some encounters the
soldiers have come out second best.
These collisions are probably the basis
OF statements made in the United states
which represent the Porto Rfcans as
strongly inclined 10 start revolution.
The fact Is that little more courtesy In
dealing with them would not only have
wonderfully quoting influence. buI
would greatly facilitate the settlement OF
! ether questions pressing for solution.
civ our commerce and agriculture a
chance" said an influential Porto Rican
merchant today to a correspondent of the
Associated Press. open up the advant-
ages Of the country by establishing good
communication and transportation, the
want Of which is she chief stumbling
block In our nath Of development. Give
our people an opportunity Of appreciating
the new conditions and the benefit OF a
lhttle more consideration on the part Of
the Americans who are sojourning in the
island and Porto Ricans will De found the
easiest people in the world to govern. "
Today there Is an abundance Of fruit
oranges, bananas, lines and the like rot
ting on the trees because the expense OF
transportation would not leave any profit
ON the picking. Labor is abundant and
fairly good. All that is needed is capital
and fair play.