The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-08


hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
with the rank of first lieutenant, and
Of whose presence In this city on n
leave of absence mention was made
In Saturdays Tribune, speaks very in
terestingly on the present and future
OF the little tropical island now part
Of this country. In chatting over the
present condition of affairs to Tri-
bune yesterday he said:
II first landed in Puerto Rico on
Aug. 2, 1898, with General Schwan's
brigade and saw active service in
few small battles until Aug. 1S, when
the peace protocol was signed. l was
then stationed at Mayaquez until July
10. 1899, when I was ordered to San
Juan. where I have since remained.
San Juan is the largest city on the
island, with a population of about $50 %
and Is a fairly up-to-date place. Amer
lean customs are being gradually in
troduced, the natives evidencing a
great desire to learn them and also
the English language. but while they
may learn the former it is not so easy
with the latter. am Of the opinion
that the present generation will never
learn it, but the rising generation WILL
as it is the only language taught IN
the public schools which are beng es-
tablished on all parts Of the island.
The children come flocking to these
eager and anxious to learn.
NOT MUCH INVESTING.
HAS there been much American cap
ital invested on the island? No, there
has been scarcely any. owing to the
present unsettled condition of the gov
ernment Of the island and until con-
gress gives it a legal status I do not
think there will be much invested.
"There Is opportunity. galore, how
ever, for the person desirous OF in
vesting money in the island. 1t is un-
doubtably the most fertile country in
the world and there Is a great chance
for the cultivation of tropical fruit.
every variety Of which may be found
wild in all parts Of the country. The
oranges, bananas and cocoanuts are
as fine as any grown in any part OF
the world. If a fruit company was or
ganized 1t would have to be along the
lines of the Boston Fruit company,
which has extensive plantations in ia.
maica and a special line of freigh;
steamers of it's own.
THE island is in very devastated
condition just at present, as it is only
slowly recovering from the effects OF
the terrible cyclone which ravaged 1.
last August. This destroyed the crops
to such an extent that the coffee and
sugar yield for this year Is only thirty
three per cent. Of what it generally Is
1.-THE present government of tn,
island is, Of course, military the mar
| in charge being General Davis, who Is
governor general, with headquarters Al
San Juan. The military force consists
Of two regular army regiments. the
| Eleventh infantry and the Fifth cav,
| airy. There are also six companies
composed entirely OF natives, which
We're organized under the direction O.
Secretary of War Alger, the idea being
in time to have the islands garrisones
entirely by natives, the present force
to serve as nucleus. The natives
have adapted themselves readily to tn,
art Of soldering and will in time prob
ably make very good soldiers.
PROVISIONAL COURT.
1.-THE administration of the laws is a
present in the hands of a provisional
court, consisting of Chief Justice Pet
tinghall and Majors Dimmick an
Thomas, and a number of native courts
The provisional court, however, is tn
only court of any importance and
probably has the greatest scope Of an
In any civilized country in the world
1t tries all kinds of criminal cases fror
assault and battery to murder, an
also all kinds Of civil cases. The stat
law of Massachusetts, and some Span
ish law Is what obtains.
"The people Of the island don't hop
for admission as state for man
years. What they do want Is to be ad
mitted as a territory and given terri
torial form Of government.
I'm regard TO the question now be
fore congress as to whether the prop
erty of the Catholic church in tn
island belongs to the church or to tn
municipalities, am Of the opinion tina
congress will decide in favor of tn
church. The Spanish government bui
the churches and turned them over t
the church authorities, and now tina
the Spanish have evacuated the island
the various municipalities are claimin
the properties. The people of the islam,
that is, the male portion, are not re
ligious, being exceedingly indifferen
The various Protestant denomination
whose missionaries are now workin
in the island, are not meeting wit
much success.
"The general climate of the island
| Al.c