The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-05
And the People Are Gradually RecOv-
ering from Effects Of Spanish Inn
position and Heavy Taxation.
MESSAGE FROM GEN. HENRY
SAYING REPORTS OF STARVATION IN
PORTO RICO ARE UNTRUE.
Commissions of Cuba's Supreme
Court Justices Signed by Brooke
Mora to BE Attorney General.

WASHINGTON, May 4.-First Assistant
Postmaster General Perry S. Heath re-
turned to-day from a months thorough trip
of inspection in all parts of the Island OF
Porto Rico. Mr.. Heath says the official re-
port made just he sailed showed that the
postal service on the island was easily SELF
sustaining and that each postoffice was get
ting mails at least once day He said II
there Is any dssensicn or discortent on the
island it exists only among very few poll
ticians. He said the natives of Porto RICO
who are not Spaniards have no property.
About 900 of the total estimated popula-
ton of between 800. 900 and 10o0, 600 own their
own property and read and write; the rest
are classified as poems. Probably 10000 TO
20.c0O OF the total pt datiop are politicians
and officeholders. great mass or the
people have welcome,. enthusiastically the
changed conditions. They are very tracta-
BILE people, not readily adaptable, however, 10
the American mode of living, but are perse-
vering and gradually improving. The past
year was the most prosperous for sugar In
the history OF the island Coffee, on the
other hand is in a most depressed condi-
ton. ranging from IL to 6 cents per pound,
the lowest ever got, and profitless.
The island probably is as fertile a spot as
there is on the globe. Oppr essive taxation
and Spanish imposition has run things
down. and while the poor people are not
yet very much better than n year ago.
they are improving slowly and disposed
to take advantage of their new opportuni-
ties Already from 400 to 800 natives have
enlisted as part of the army for Porto Rico.
All of the insular police are natives. What
army may be necessary to safeguard the
islands interests will be made up eventually
entirely Of Porto Ricans.
All kinds of business is increasing and the
postal business may be doubled this year.
There is. however, no great opportunity for
speculation and large enterprise, though
there is chance for small trades. The
hacienda owners. employing four-fifths of
the population, complain that they are not
already annexed to the United States, so
that they can import and export TO the
United States their products without duties.
All reports of insurrection or general dis
content are false. The masses are thor
oughly satisfied TO come under our rule, and
contrary reports are largely due to desire
for relaxation of military discipline. par
ticularly the part of marauders. i do
not believe there is anything like wagon
load of firearms among the entire peon
population.
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn has received
the following dispatch from Governor Hen
ry at San Juan, Porto Rico: Reported
condition of island people starving exag
gerated. over 100000 a month Is spent on
roads: over 900 men employed; more money
is distributed direct TO people than they
have had for years. Large number who
cannot work are fed. ard no suffering. Ma
ture here is too bountiful for that" The
cable dispatch was in response to one sent
by acting Secretary Meiklejohn asking for
information as to the condition in the island.
Some time ago Gen. Roy Stone, of New
York, formerly a brigadier general of volun-
teers, returned from Porto Rico and re-
ported a very dismal condition there. saying
that there were 100000 people in a starving
condition. He visited the War Department
and gave the same information. He was told
the department had no information such as
he possessed, but Ii would at once seek ii.
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejohn has
received a letter from Philip &. Hanna.
consul at San Juan, Porto Rico. in which
that official speaks of the satisfactory con-
dition of things in the island under Amer
lean rule. Mr.. Hanna says: Il hear many
compliments from local merchants concern
ing the American system of the cole ,tion
of customs. Everything seems to be n wing
along smoothly and 10 the satisfac IN of
parties concerned. Other army pee are
to be congratulated upon their So ;essful
efforts TO Americanize the island by the
adoption of American methods ana regula-
tions. all of which appears TO be ,ery ac-
ceptable to the business men of Porto Rico"
u