The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-09
Unfortunate State Of Affairs Exist
There.
Statement by Gov. Gen.
Davis.
Natives Are Incapable of Self
Government.

Washington, January Seen. Davis,
4 werner of Puerto Rico. appeared before
the insular committee Of the House today
and made general statsment regarding
the situation Of affairs In that island.
The people Of Peurto Rioo he said. were
sccumsiomed 10 arbitrary control, control
Of the King through ministers or score
taries in charge Of several departments.
He bad believed when they came TO the
administration OF the affairs Of the island
that ssiags could be bettered BY sliminat.
ing thsss Intermediates and getting
closer TO the people. He had made u step
In that direction by Substituting mixed
boards for these secretaries and the result
had tesn very satisfactory FROM his point
Of visw The civil administration was
now entirely In the hands Of these boards,
boards Of tealth, charities. educations,
public works, etc., in all of which the
natives had representation. The indus
trial situation on tie island. General
Davis said, was not satisfactory. He
sketched the encouragement which had
resulted from the trade and tariff dis
ordinations against the products OF the
island, both In tie United States and
Cuba before the great hurricane devas-
tated the island last August, when ooffee
plantations had been ruined and every
banana plant on the island had been de-
stroyed. For five years preceding 1898,
the average exports had reached about
IL, 600, 900 pesos. In 1898 they were cut In
nan ANA this year General Davis figured
that they would hardly exceed 3, $50. 00c.
The people we're discouraged. They
lacked the Anglo-Saxon energy to face
gloomy outlook.
Regarding the political situation, Gen.
Davis described the fury with which the
natives plandersd and murdered the
Spanisrds after the war closed. They
sought to even up eli scores. This had
been stopped By the military, and civil
disorders had ceased. The elections In the
towns shortly after the United States as
sumed military control. he said. were
fares.
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 mrss con-
tinue. 1he reven ues OF the islands we're
insdeg uste 10 meet its wants.
Gen. Davis said he thought less than
one per cent Of the Inhabitants under
stood the responsibilities of government.
In answer to question from Representa-
tive Henry Of Texas, General Davis stated
that he diu not think that territorial
form of government, such rs was pro-
posed fer Hawaii, would be for the best
interests of the island. But he distinctly
thought the people of Puerto Rico were
as much entitled to trade privileges as
the people of Hawaii. II trade privileges
we're granted. he thought they would 20
far toward industrial regeneration, but
in addition some responsible body In
Pnerto Rico. in his opinion, must have
the power of borrowing money until The
taxes become adequate
MIR. Cannon asked him II with free
trade the people Of Puerto Rico, consider
ing the climate and resources Of the
island would be able to work out their
salvation.
"Quite able to support themselves" re-
piled Gen. Davis. "and besides contribute
much wealth to the United States when
ever the sisland is put upon a sound
be- Sis"
General 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.
american sovereignty" said General
Davis In answer to a question from Mr..
Maddox "has been disaster to the aver
age Puerto RicA n.
"That is" suggested Mr.. Cannon. "the
old order has disappeared and the new
has not come in"
"ThAt Is it," replied General Davis.
Continuing, he said that about seventy
per cent of the population of the island
were Caucasians in the sense that the
Spaniards were. There were 700 900
negroes and 250. 900 mulattoes. The native
Spaniards were In the best condition.
They were faithful, industrious. temper
ate and thrifty.
EVERY Puerto Rican was either
actively or passively Catholic. The
Puerto Ricans were not n dying race.
They had doubled In thirty years. A
large portion OF the population was Of
illegitimate birth. But illsgitimacy did
not involve crime.''
"Ths natives" said he. care married
but not parsoned."
Gen. Davis believed that all the coffee
that could be produced could be disposed
of In New York city alone at prices equal
to that paid for the best Java and Mocha.
LAYTON FIND CON TIMES TO