New-York tribune., 1900-07-08
GOVERNOR ALLEN HERE.
A TALK WITH THE HEAD OF THE
ADMINISTRATION OF PORTO RICO
HE ARRIVES ON THE MAYFLowER-Go1NG

HE ARRIVES. ON THE AUTHORIZATIONS
TO WASHINGTON TO MAKE REPORT.
The proper administration of Porto Rico will
in mind, bring about the annexation of
Cuba"
This statement was made yesterday by Charles
H. Allen Governor of Porto Rico to Tribune
reporter at the Hotel Manhattan. Governor
Allen had just reached the city on board the
United States dispatch boat Mayhower, after
a voyage from San Juan of five days and
hour. The Governor returned alone. but
met on his arrival by Mrs. Allen, who had come
on from the home of the family in Lowell, Mass.
He intends to go to Washington either to-day or
tomorrow and report to the Administration iii
person regarding the present conditions in
Porto Rico. 1t is also his purpose to supply the
officials at Washington with mass of detailed
information which will better enable them to
deal with the affairs of the island. Governor
Allen intends to return to his post within few
weeks.
When seen at the Manhattan he was dressed
for tropical weather. wearing light clothes and
a large brimmed straw hat trimmed literally
with white cloth.
L believe I will go right back to Porto Rico
in order to get COOL" began the Governor. 1T is
fact which too few people realize that the
equitable climate of the West Indian Islands is
far enduTable than the erratic weather of
more northern countries The temperature of
Porto Rico averages from - to SO for winter
and summer. Our great tempering influence is
the trade winds, which blow with arthmetical
regularity during the hotter season, and since
they blow from north to south. they pass over
the island crosswise. Accordingly there is
such thing as a land breeze.
PURPOSE IN GOING TO WASHINGTON.
MY purpose in going to Washington is to re-
port continued Mr.. Allen. 1T April 21
last that I set foot in Porto Rico accompanied
by my wife and family. 1 did not expect at that
time to remain longer than few weeks. Only
casual view of the situation however was
enough 20 p.ove 10 me that immediate and con-
tinuous work was necessary. Accordingly I was
inaugurated May 1. and set about TO try to
win the confidence of the natives and to make
stable the civil government which had been es-
I tablished over them. The work by no means
easy. New conditions of life and thought of
law and finance. confronted us But the re-
sponsve spirit Of the people. enthusiastic they
were over the idea of exchanging monarchical
form of government for that of a republic.
a great stepping stone to success. The inteIli-
gent and industrious natives have greatly aided
in the work which the United States Government
has undertaken. This was perhaps fittingly
illustrated at the organization of the Executive
Council on June 2S. Five of its eleven members
are Porto Ricans, and two of these made
speeches in which they ardenty praised the
United States for what it had done and for the
future which it promised to them.
Delegations Of merchants and men of public
affairs came to the palace daily, some TO learn
more of our institutions and customs, and others
to thank us for setting higher example before
them
Indeed, 1 believe that destiny nation
hinges to a great degree on our administration
of this island The eyes of the spanish-Ameri-
world upon US. If we succeed, as I be
lieve may, with proper guidance and fore
thought, our success will be greater than we
can measure. The proper administration of
Porto Rico will, in my mind bring about the
annexation of Cuba. If the people of Cuba see
that their neighbors have benefited and have
prospered as part OF the United States, it will
only be natural for them also to ask that Cuba
be brought into the Union.
vERITABLE GARDEN SPOT.
Extraordinarily Porto Rico is veritable gar
den spot" said the Governor It's virgin soil
responds with wonderful fulness to cultivation
Its fields are lying ready for the American
plough and rake. The long, rich grass of the
pasture lands first impresses the newcomer with
the fertility of the land.
The main industry in the past has been the
raising of coffee Perhaps six-tenths Of the ex-
The old planters during the last twenty-five
years were prosperous, but spent their money
in going TO Paris and in otherwise enjoying
themselves. Consequently, when other orands
of coffee came into the market. and the island
was visited by the tornado, many OF these men
were pushed to the wall
The coming industry of Porto Rico. IN my
mind, is the raising of sugar. Already great
strides have been made along these lines.
great plant is nov being erected on the southern
shore of the island, to cost $10OOOoo. the
capital or crusher, alone will cost SoJoUOO.
Then the tariff arrangement between the United
States and Porto Rico has greatly stimulated
the industry. Now. sugar planter gets sol oo
in gold on each ton more than his competitors
in lands not belonging TO the United states
But the sugar business is practically the rich
mans business" added Mr.. Allen. 1t requires
too much capital for a poor man to start in IT,
For him. instead the raising OF tobacco offers
an available and fairly profitable business. The |
land and climate are ideal for tobacco, and the
plant would be cultivated to a much greater
extent if there should be incoming of stable.
industrious Americans 10 awaken the natives 10
a sense of their own advantages. Only about |
one-fourth of the island is under cultivation
Oranges can be raised in Porto Rico anu
make an exceedingly good crop. Many orange !
growers from Florida, who lost everything there /
because OF severe frosts are now going 10 Porto /
Rico, and several thousand acres nave diIeduS
been planted. One or two own tracts OF hNe !
hundred acres where they planting orange |
seedlings. ,
Il have found many native owners of land |
who are unwilling to cultivate their property |
and vet refuse to sell it. on asking one man
hv he nrevented the Improvement or his lana,