The record-union., 1899-04-06
DISSATISFACTION IN PORTO RICO
COMPLAINT AMONG LOWER
CLASS OF NATIVES.
That the Cost of Living Has In
creased Since the Americans
Occupied the Island.

Correspondence of the Associated Presse
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO, March
27.-Although there is not at present
;Any danger of serious disturbances,
there is much dissatisfaction among
the lower class of natives throughout
the island and there has been good
deal of violent talk by the ignorant
against the new regime. The chief
cause of this anti-American feeling is
The increase in the cost of living since
the American occupation began and the
ill-treatment that many of the natives
in the country districts have received at
the hands of rough soldiers.
Dissatisfaction is also expressed at the
delay in making the island a part or a
ferritory of the United States with the
privileges and advantages that would
accrue to the island from such a rela-
Ition, especially in the matter of trade.
This the Porto Ricans were undoubt-
eddy led to believe would be the re-
suit of the acquisition of Porto Rico
iby the United States.
But, as things have turned out, the
prices of all kinds of commodities have
advanced considerably; and the cost of
2iving is very much higher now than it
was in the days of Spanish dominion.
sThe merchant, moreover, is uncertain
as to what customs duties he will have
10 pay and he does not care to order
more than is actually necessary. Nor
us the agriculturist in mood to ex-
tend his cultivation until he can be
assured of a safe market for his pro-
ducts.
Il Everybody is getting along with the
least possible expenditure and there is
undoubtedly much misery and discom-
fort. Many, who are without employ
ment, are lying hungry about the towns
and they constitute the material which
-mischief-makers use in working up ir-
aitation against the Americans.
The conduct of the United States
troops in Ponce, Caguas and other
places has aroused many of the natives
40 defend themselves, and in some en-
counters the soldiers have come off sec
Dnd best. These collisions are probably
the basis of statements made in the
UNITED States which represent the aPor-
no Ricans as strongly inclined to start
a revolution. The fact is that little
more courtesy in dealing with them
would not only have a wonderfully Qu--
citing influence, but would greatly facil-
'atate the settlement of other questions
pressing for solution
Give our commerce and agriculture
chance" said an influential Porto Ri
can merchant to-day to the correspond
ent of the Associated Press. open up
the advantages of the country by es-
fablishing good communication and
transportation-the want of which is
The chief stumbling block in our path
way of development; give our people
an opportunity of approaching the new
conditions and the benefit of a little
more consideration on the part of the
Americans who are sojourning in the
Island and Porto Ricans will be found
the easiest people in the world to gov
ern"
To-day there is an abundance of fruit.
oranges, bananas, lines and the like
Iotting on the trees merely 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.