The evening times., 1899-06-19
FORTUNES TO Be Made
IN PORTO RICO ISLAND
French Consul's Report to His
Government.
A Land Wherein Expensive Habits
Have Long Prevailed.
Retter Chances to Secure Wealth I'M
der American Domain Than
Ever Spain Afforded.

There is place to fill in Porto Rico,
| fortunes 70 be made and fruitful fields for
the employment of capital" writes the
French Consul, Moreau ChaIpentier. to the
French Minister of Commerce, an abstract
CT which. communication Acting Secretary
of War Meiklejohn gave out for publica-
ton today.
Heretofore" says the consul. I'VE have
had little business with the large island
that the Americans have just conquered; /;
yet it is rich and important market.
Though numbering only about 100000 in
habitants. 1t makes heavy purchases. he-
cause its Inhabitants, children and grand
children of Spaniards. have expensive hab-
its and live In comfort. Many OF than
know our language and love our race. in
dependent OF the fact that there are some
5000 Frenchmen among them. all well-to-
do and some opulent.
Nevertheless, our commerce there has
thus far been Insignificant for three rea-
sons: First, because our exporters have
an instructive dread of the difficulties that
they may encounter in the government and
courts of foreign colonies; second, on ac-
count of the rates of discount; third, be-
cause the discriminating Spanish tarins
imposed heavy duties on commodities from
foreign markets while admitting duty free
everything from Spain.
These reasons no longer exist. The
matter of discount has disappeared, for
decree of President Mckinley fixes the val
ue OF the local plaster at three francs. The
dread of lawsuits has diminished from the
upr:ghtness OF the Americans. which is
one of their characteristics in business.
The discriminating tariff has been replaced
by the order of January 80. which subjects
all goods imported here to the same tariff.
whatever the country of their origin. This
order applies even to American products.
Spain will certainly lose large part of
her so.oV0. coo annual exports to Porto Rico.
Americans will gain a good part OF this.
but Frenchmen with little activity can
certainly get their share
NJ. Charpentier cites the following lines
Of goods in which the French ought to
get business in Porto Rico: Wines, e5-
pecialiy of superior quality; champagne
spirits. liquors. French brandies. vichy.
and other mineral waters. and olive oil.
the discriminating duties on which were
formerly three times as high as the pres
ent duty.
While France and Spain are now on a
footing Of equality. Spain was exempted
from all duties on the following article
under the old regime. Foods such as but
ter, cheese, vegetables. preserved fruits.
mustard, sauce. chocolate. rice. Goldfish
chemical and pharmaceutical products, Pa
risian specialties and novelties. such as Ia
dies hats. feathers. fans. silk umbrellas.
knickknacks. articles for masqueraies.
stationery, boots. and shoes jewelry,
watches. and Photographic apparatus"
In concluding his interesting letter the
French consul says significantly:
There is a place to fill in Porto Rico.
fortunes to be made and fruitful fields
for the employment of capital. 1t is not
realized that this little island is more
populous than certain States. Uruguay for
instance; richer also and more accustomed
to luxury. We have our stakes already
driven; railroad in which there is in
vested 80. 600. 600 francs of our capital; a
regular packet boat service: the neighbor-
hood of the French Antilles, and the I'D
vantage OF a rich and highly-reputed col
ony."
The above fattering statement of COM
mercial conditions in Porto Rico has been
printed in several of the French newspa-
pers. some of which were not during the
Spanish American war friendly to the Gov
ernment of the United States.
The United States Consul. John c. Co.
vert. in commenting upon the letter says
that the American policy in Porto Rico is
in most emphatic contrast to that Of
France in her colonies and protectorates.
where heavy export duties are levied upon
any commodities exported to any country
except France, and heavy import duties
upon any merchandise received from any
country except France.