The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-11
PROGRESS IN PORTO RICO
Iusu!ar Affairs Discussed by Gsv.
Charles H. Allen.
Natives of the Island Taking Kindly
to Their New SurrOundinEs-Seif-
Government Their Aim-RisfnE OF
Political Parties - The schools -
The Crops Exchange of Money.

Gov. Charles II. Allen, OF Porto RICO,
arrived in Washington yesterday to con-
suit with the Cabinet officers regarding
the management of affairs in the island.
He will be here for short time before
leaving to spend a few days with Mrs
Allen at their home In Massachusetts. Al
ter that he expects to return to Porto
Rico.
THE Americans are looked upon with
feeling of kindness and confidence by the
Porto Ricans," he said last evening IN
talking over the conditions in the island.
"We are getting the civil government fair
ly started, and they see the efforts which
the Administration is making to give them
representation as rapidly as possible. They
are intensely interested in the subject OF
self government and they are trying TO
give evidence Of their capacity for it.
There are two political parties in the
territory-Frederalists and Republicans.
they call themselves-but there Is little
difference between them save in name. IL
Is as yet impossible to say. what the politi-
cal development Of Porto Rico will be. In
selecting the native members OF the
Executive Council. two members Aof the
Federal party and two OF the "Repub-
lican" party were chosen. The Executive
Council. which was organized on June ~.
is now proceeding with the transaction OF
business, and is fast settling down TO
good work.
The country has gone ahead wonderful
" since the war The evil effects OF the
hurricane are rapidly being forgotten.
Crops could hardly offer better prospects
than those which were ripening when |
left. Meanwhile. the immediate needs OF
the people seem to be largely satisfied. al
though l suppose there Is always more OF
less want In tropical countries.
THE time during which Porto Rican
coins will remain legal tender ends on
August 1. After that only American money
can lawfully be offered In payment CT
debts The treasury officials have es,ab-
lshed agencies at San Juan, Ponce. and
Mayaguez. where native money will be
exchanged for our currency without cost.
However. many Of the small towns have
found it hard to send their money to one
OF those points to be exchanged. as such
a course would drain the towns OF their
circulating medium until the American
money came back. l called today on Sec
retary Gage and explained the situation to
him, and suggested that additional ex-
change points be made at customs offices
Such means would enable everyone to Sc
cure the exchange OF money at once. 1t
is likely that the Treasury Department
will take action along this line in at least
a dozen or fifteen towns Of the island
THE policy Of the administration will
be to teach English in all the public
schools There will be demand for many
American teachers as soon as the schools
get to running. Mr.. Brumbaugh, the COM
missioner OF education. is expected at San
Juan soon to take charge Of the school
affairs Of the island
Governor Allen spoke enthusiastically
regarding the material development OF the
islands. Sugar is of course. one OF the
staples" he said. land it is being pro-
duced on an enormous scale by the big
planters. We are endeavoring. however.
to promote the growth Of crops which
can be handled by the small farmer.
Tobacco Of excellent grade can be grown
by any native having patch Of ground,
and as the only cost is the seed and the
outlay of labor. it can be made prolific
source OF revenue to the people Of the
islands Small fruits. such as oranges and
pineapples. can also be grown there with
great success, and their cultivation offers
large opportunities for Northern people,
Governor Allen was questioned regarding
the yacht Mayfower. which has been
placed at his disposal by the Government.
THE boat Is not for my comfort" he said.
1T was secured for the use of the insular
administration. 1t is very difficult to
travel around In Porto Rico except by
water. and the boat proves an important
factor In reaching the different towns