Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-09
DISTRESS OF PUERTO RICO
Gen. Davis, Military Governor, Points Out
the Islands Eseda.
Industrial Situation Unsa1isfactory-
People DiscOuraEed~Reven De-
fcient-Need to FIsat - Loan.

government OF the 1Sland,' Gen. Davis said
he had given the subject mach thought
without being able to formulate a satisfac-
tory scheme. 1t would be a difficult I'M
dertaking, but he considered it essential
that the people of Puerto Rico should be
given an opportunity to demonstrate their
capacity to enlarge their responsibilities.
He thought they might be given representa-
ton in a legislative body, but that body, he
said. should have in it a majority of per-
sons appointed by the President in order TO
be sure that control should not pass into
hands which would use it improperly. Such
a scheme as that he thought sufficient for
the present. but the people should have
something to look forward to.
Speaking of the need Of many things in
the island, Gen. Davis pointed out the fact
that the island was without debt. Unless
a loan could be made, he said. the present
industrial paralysis must continue.
The Industrial Situation.
The Industrial situation on the island,
Gen. Davis said, was not satisfactory. He
sketched the encouragement which had
resulted from the trade and tariff discrimi-
nations against the products of the island
both in the United States and Cuba before
the great hurricane devastated the island
last August He described the awful DESC
lation that had resulted Coffee plantations
had been ruined and every banana plant on
the island had been destroyed. For five
years preceding 1898 the average exports
had reached about 10000, 600 pesos. In 1893
they were cut in half, and this year Gen.
Davis figured that they would hardly eX-
coed 3,50O,OO0 less than 3,OO0,OO0 in sugar,
10 per cent of the usual crop of coffee (600.-
600 pesos, and less than that of tobacco.
The People Discouraged.
The people We're discouraged. They lacked
the Anglo-Saxon energy to face a gloomy
,,,fIo i,,St; Sod fhn r1>j tror1
action of Gen. Henry in extending for one
year from January 10, 1899. the time in
which mortgages overdue could be fore
closed. but that year would expire shortly
and thousands of properties would change
hands. This added another discouragfn~
feature to the situation. He Davis did
not believe he had authority to further eX-
tend the time under the treaty with Spain.
but that property rights of individuals and
corporations must remain In the status quo
which obtained when the treaty was rati-
fed
Old Scores Evened Up.
Regarding the political situation, Gen.
Davis described the fury with which the
natives plundered and murdered the Span
iards after the war closed They sought to
even up all old scores. All that, however,
had been stopped by the military, and civil
disorders had ceased. The elections in the
towns shortly after the United States
sumed military control he said were farces.
No election was ordered until the result
had been previously ascertained. Gen.
Davis said that under his discretion suf-
frage had been limited to those who could
read or write or who had paid one and a
half dollars in taxes in two years. Then
new elections of alcaldes and town councils
had been held. Under these terms less than
8 per cent Of the inhabitants had been able
to qualify. In half the towns elections had
been held, and there had been but 10000
nut ne "a a million
The elections had been held under military
supervision, and had given eminent salts
faction so far as their fairness was con-
cerned.
Real Estate Mortgages.
Referring to the question of mortgage
foreclosures Gen. Davis said that there
were mortgages to the amount. of 3000O.0O0
pesos on real estate. The interest rates
ran as high as "a per cent. He would not
commit himself to the atIvisability of ex-
tending the period for foreclosing mort
cages. but expressed the opinion that some
thing must be done. He pointed out the
fact that in India some years ago $500 600
had been loaned to hurricane sufferers, and
after the Nautilus hurricane in 1892 Eng
land had guaranteed a loan of 10,OOOO 600
rupees. The revenues of the islands were
inadequate to meet its wants. For in
stance. 100000 pesos had been allowed in
the budget for education. That sum pro-
vided very limited education for 10000
children. There were. he said. 100000 other
children who had not the slightest chance
of receiving an education. In his opinion
100000 pesos year should be expended
on the roads for twenty years.
Incapable of self-Government.
Gen. Davis said he thought less than l
per cent Of the inhabitants understood the
responsibilities Of self-government. In an
swer to direct question from Representa-
tive Henry of Texas, Gen Davis stated
that he did not think territorial form of
government, such as was proposed for
Hawaii would be for the best interests of
the island. But he distinctly thought the
people of Puerto Rico were as much en-
titled to trade privileges as the people of
HAWAII II trade privileges were granted
he thought they would go far toward in
dustrial regeneration, but in addition, some
responsible body in Puerto Rico, in his
opinion. must have the power of borrow
ing money until the taxes became adequate.
by taxation for municipal insular and
school purposes. That was about two and
a half times as much as he might have
been able to raise had not the hurricane
occurred. 1t was five times as much as
could be obtained now In answer to a
question. he commended certain features of
the Foraker bill. Mr.. Cannon asked him if
with free trade the people of Puerto Rico
considering the climate and resources of
the island. would be able to work out their
salvation.
Quite able to support themselves" re-
piled Gen. Davis, "antl, besides, contribute
much wealth to the United States when
ever the island Is put upon sound basis"
Gen Davis expressed the opinion that
body vested with the powers of government
could borrow money for the island without
the guarantee Of the United States. He
thought, however, power to borrow money
should be limited to 10 per cent Of the as
sessed value of the realty of the island,
which was about $100 600 900. In answer to
a question, he said Spain collected about
50.OO0.O00 pesos per annum.
He thought any railroad built in Puerto
Rico. to pay, would have to be subsidized
by the state.
The Islands Products.
The annual rainfall ranges from 70 to $50
inches. Gen. Davis said, and has been
known to reach 200 inches. Rubber plants
cissel grass, arrow root and other articles
of growth are sources of profit, the rubber
plant being especially profitable. Puerto
Rico has a good quantityi of cattle, small
but gentle. Native beef, therefore, is good,
but so high that hundreds of thousands of
the people never eat any meat Their sole
lot 10 goldfish rio no