The record-union., 1899-01-06
Some Statistics Which May Prove
Of Much Interest
To Persons Who Have Contemplated 6olng
to the Newly Acquired Territory.

O~~
vestment, but It Takes Capital
to Work Them Out-Not an En-
couraging Outlook for the Poor
Man Under Present Conditions.
Correspondence of the Associated Press)
SAN JUAN porto Rico), Dec. L.
The value of this island to the United
States should not be overestimated
Varied and many representations con-
corning Porto Rico are being maze
daily; some originate from men VINO
have things to SELL be it land or mer-
chandise; others from those whose IN
terests are served by the presence here
of Americans with money in their
pockets, and still other statements are
made in an exaggeration that arises
from ignorance and carelessness.
In considering the Porto Rico of to-
day and the developed Porto Rico or
the future, it would be- we'll to set down
these facts: The island has an area OF
5000 square miles; that of the State
of Connecticut is 4,150 square miles,
and that of New Jersey is $500 square
miles. The population of Porto Rico
is less than 100000; there are various
estimates of population ranging from
100000 to this figure. A Spanish CEN
sus of about ten years ago puts the
population at $4,000, which is less
than that of the city of Brooklyn.
According to Bulletin IL of the Unit
ed States Department of Agriculture
entitled ''Trade of Porto Rico" the
annual average imports of this island
from 1892 to 1896 to all countries
amounted to 1S,114,5O2 pesos, which
amount is calculated to equal 1I,4SO,-
494 American dollars, and the annual
average of exports for the same five
years is given at 1884, 400 pesos, or
$780, OIL American dollars.
The island is densely populated and
closely cultivated, the population per
square mile being 900. It's commercial
output can certainly be increased, and
it's consumption of foreign merchan-
disc will augment with the develop
ment necessary to bring about this first
condition. Grant that exports and i'm
ports ultimately increase 80 per cent.
Porto Rico could then supply about 10
per cent. of what the United States
yearly consumes in tropical products,
and she would be a market for about
= l.
these facts are considered, one reaches
a fair idea of the commercial value of
this new possession.
As a winter and health resort Porto
Rico will have its attractions; there is
beautiful country to be seen, tropical
and strange. The climate is delightful
in winter, and when we obtain the re-
suits of army statistics concerning the
Of in, ho
will know the dangers thereof. There
is much evidence to indicate that this
climate is a healthy one, but the life
in cities is not as yet. There are a
few beautiful drives on the island
though the greater majority of the
roads are wretched, and there are cool
mountain locations well suited for COM
Portable hotels.
The advantage of the island as a
naval outpost is great. To our country
at large this is probably its most val
liable feature, and the establishment
here of a first-class naval station and
supply depot is a question of time
only. Porto Rico will also be a train
ing ground for the American soldier
who will find himself as a policeman IN
the land
There are always a number of adj
venturous spirits to follow armies,
ready to grasp all advantages arising
from the economic changes that follow
armed intervention. There has been
no lack of such men to follow the
American army into Porto Rico. Some
of them were experienced in their
work, and knew how to direct their
efforts through the confusion resulting
from the radical changes occurring
here daily or threatened for the near
future. There have also been many
who could not content with these con-
ditions, whose small capital was soon
exhausted by heavy travelling expenses.
and who were glad to get home as best
they might. Porto Rico has not been
an easy field for the amateur adj
venturer Newspaper reports have been
misleading and read up North through
rose-colored glasses, and with a few
hundred dollars young men have
started down here in the everlasting
hunt for the golden opportunity which
has not yet been found.
Yet there are opportunities for prof
table investment here. 1t requires a
cool head and a clear mind TO seek
them out and recognize them when
found. and then it takes capital to
work them This is no new country,
where everything remains to be done;
It is an old country, where everything
has been done.
When we speak of seventeen and a
half million dollars worth of imports
into Porto Rico it must be borne IN
mind that that amount represents the
islands business with all the world,
and while it is fact that under Tree
trade with the United States the larger
proportion of this money will be ex-
pended for American goods, yet GER
tain portion, which is estimated at two
and half millions year. will be spent
in foreign markets, notably in Spain,
and for articles we do not produce ana
which the islanders want and will have.
The foreign trade of Porto Rico has
been in the past conducted chiefly with
Spain, the United States. Cuba, Ger
many, the United Kingdom and France.
Eightyfive per cent. of the merchan-
disc imported and exported during the
years 1893 to 1896 was exchanged with
these countries. Spain received the
largest share of this trade her portion
amounting annually to 50, SSS, 074. or
% per cent. of the total valuation.
The trade with the United States dur
ing this period was second to that of
Spain; our share amounted to $685.
go annually, or % per cent. of the