The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-06
IL vtLUE OF PORTO RICO.
r,GEs AND DISADVANTAGES
aD' ~ Our NEW ISLAND.

IA supply .,..
eo'ld Of our Tropical Products
CEN nonld rake Only About Two
ano of our ENpOrts-spOrts
r' '' the Army-Asrieui'ure
f'i'D .a.i. of WeaIth-L"nd in the
-. ad and It's Value.
l.l' .osad,aoe Of the Associated Press
corr, Porto Rico. Dee. O.-The val
S'n St. island TO the United States
'i '- averestimated. Varied and
i0''' ..nt, ions concerning Porto
EaN ,ng made daily; some origi-
'eo o. m.7 who nave things to SELL
l7 L.j or merchandise; others from
.s interests are served by the
''' here Of Americans with money
''',' sg,s and sun other statements
All exaggeration that arises
.-.a4sce and carelessness.
''' ..54-5ra the Porto Rico of to-day
j. ~. 4sv.r5..d Porto Rico of the future
/ NIB. we'll 10 set down these facts
.5.,5 had an area of $3.50 square
mto the state of Connecticut is
/ ,a,rs mics, and that of New Jersey
g square niles
i. c0nllation of Porto Rico is less than
tsr, are various estimates OF pop
-,,cing from 10000 to this figure.
i ..... census Of about ten years ago
,o,a.atiou al $4,000, which is less
nsr of the city of Brooklyn. Ac-
-,.- ia bulletin IS Of the United States
n.nt OF agriculture entitled Trade
p..r,o Rico" the annual average i'm
This island from 1S92-1S9j TO 2l
Uni. amounted to 1S.14,5O2 pesos,
-. amount is calculated to equal H.
4 %. American dollars. and the annual
-,s4 of exports for the same five years
,,so at 15s>li39 pesos, or 16,59o'O4l
nencau oa1ars.
Gather Poor Prospects.
Ts. island is densely populated and
ossly cultivated, the population per
.,,rs mile being 229. Its commercial
5,rrr can certainly be increased ana ITS
4 oospmut,on of foreign merchandise VIII
,onsrt ustn The development necessary
Il 5rlrs about this first condition. Grant
at EXPORTS and imports ultimately IN
r.ssa 70 per cent, Porto Rico could then
y oo'r about 10 per cent. of what the
KIN states YEARLY consumes in tropical
ig,s and she would be a market Tor
"a h,nr per cent. of our yearly exports
vter these facts are considered one
. osc,es q fair idea of the commercial
81 su4 Of this new possession.
q As winter and health resort Porto
u IN nn have its attractions there is
S. faujlu country TO be seen, tropical and
TRANCE The climate is delightful in win
b. anil when We obtain the results of
-rv statistics concerning the health OF
q m soldiers IN barracks, we will know
H. 5ine5rs thereof There is much evil
& srcs 10 indicate that this climate is a
q f1y one. but the life in cities is not
Il yst There are a few beautiful drives
Il the island. though the greater majority
i the roads are wretched, and there are
81 mo1ntain locations well suited for
s omt0r,able hotels
h Tie advantage of the island as a naval
a post Is great. 1 - Jul NoI4lAA at lttA %
Is is probably its most valuable feature,
nj The establishment here Of first class.
avail station and supply depot is a ques
h lon Of time only. Porto Rico will also
n training ground for the American
E oder who viii hnd himself as a police
pan in the land,
4 sports Made Their Way.
Il There is always a number of adventur-
spirits to follow armies, ready 90 grasp
advantages arising from the economic
anges thaJ follow armed Intervention.
ere has been no lack of such men 70
S low The American army into Porto Rico
me Of them were experienced in their
ork and knew how to direct their efforts
rough the confus on resulting from the
lica- political changes occurring here
ny Or threatened for the near future.
ltra have aIso been many who could
contend with these conditions, whose
aI capital was soon exhausted by traV-
g expenses and who We're glad to get
ING as best they might Porto Rico tas
'eea an easy field for the amateur Id
nUer Newspaper reports have been
ed.ng and read up North through
E-eo9ied glasses, and with a few nun
uoais young men have started down
I'D tle everlasting hunt for the golden
V'1t.f Wnen has not yet been found
Ct uisie are opportunities for profitable
''"sol mere. II requires a cool head
Gear m nd TO seek them out and
SUI .Aem when found, and then it
"i!'aI 10 work them. This is no
"l"uy where everything remains to
tst--i Do s. tU old