BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-12-09
SAN JUAN, DECEMBER 9
Editorial Comment.

Editorial Comment.
Governor Hunts speech at the banquet
of the Union League Club of Philadelphla is
being read all ever the United States, and
the newspapers which arrived on the last
steamer contain many comments upon the
Governors recital of The conditions and ne
cessities in Porto Rico. The Philadelphia
Ledger in discussing the Governors hopeful
account OF affairs on the island, says: "It is
to be hoped that Governor Hunt OF Porto
Rioo does not exaggerate when ne says
that the people of that island are becoming
enthusiastically American, and that an era
of prosperity has set in there.
"The latter assertion he says be can prove
by figures, and as to the former it we treat
them right, no doubt they will become as
good Americans as the rest Of u.s."
1t is certainly pleasing and fattering to
the Porto Rican people to know that Its
future and its welfare as well as its feelings
and tendencies are matters OF interest to the
people OF the states. The statement made
by Governor Hunt can be corroborated by
every returning tourist who stays on this
island long enough to meet the people who
voice public sentiment and public opinion.
As to the era of prosperity it can safely be
said that the people of the island are to-day
at this particular season more prosperous
than they have been since the days OF tile
war. Reports from che interior Of the island
show that the crops have all been very large,
that prices have been good, and that the
working classes are kept busy just so long
las they desire to work. OF course the con
ditions which have SO long been obstacles in
the way Of permanent benefits still exist ia
some extent, but are growing less and less
every day.
There should be not one single doubt in
the people VI Jnls isIsnu Srg'trsaI6G hghJ.y
there will he no more loyal or enthusiastic
Americans than the Porto Rican.
The school children, and the young men
of the Porto Rican battalion prove this
assertion without a doubt. The Ledger
should not be sceptical as to the accuracy Of
the Governors statement. A plain recital
Of unvarnished truths which, can be corrob
Grated by all Americans here.
Gen. Wood is reported in to days issue
as saying that Cuba was destined to be
annexed eventually to the United States on
account of the economic conditions existing
in the island. That opinion has also been
expressed recently by some returned officers
and others who had given especial attention
to the political prospects Of Cuba. 1t is
suggestive that such responsible opinions
should be given out after stable govern
ment had been practically guaranteed to
Cuba under its existing relations to the q.
8. Gen. Woods assertion that econ
omic conditions will control the political
outcome of the present situation is well
founded. 1t should not be forgotten that
amid all the talk Of the politicians at Havana
there has not been much reference to the
paramount claims of Cuban industry: in.
deed, there has been little intelligent con.
sideration expressed as to the attitude of the
business interests, except that some of the
leaders have apparently taken it for granted
that Cuba could get reciprocity with this
country easily and quickly after the new
government came into existence. But re.
ciprocity with an independent Cuban re.
public, even il the independence were little
more than nominal, is very different
matter from the trade relations which might
be made with Cuba annexed, provided the
consent Of the people could be Obtained.
The core of the difficulty is that congress
would not be likely to give Cuba as a
republic the concessions which would bs
made to Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Phil.
ipplnes as part of American territory. The
sugar and tobacco interests of Cuba are notl
exactly the government, but their import.
ance is such that no native government |
could be stable which failed adequately to
aid in developing them.
There is nothing new in the story that
The Spaniards in UEba are In favor Of an. |
neIation to the United States. They have
shown that desire ever since the cession Of /
he island by Spain; and even before that
lime there was considerable number Of
hem secretly in favor Of annexation in order
10 put an end to insurrection and avert the
hanger of Cuban republic, with universal
outrage. The wealth and business Of the
sland are very largely in the hands of
jpaniards, who naturally dread the rule Of
he native Cubans, whether black or white,
nd prefer the protection and security Of
lmost any strong government. Even more
influential with them, perhaps, is the fact ,
hat many Of them are interested in sugar
nd tobacco and would be greatly helped BY
tree entrance into our market. q
Secretary Roots recommendation thati
Ie lands now belonging to the. ffiars in the | {
hilippiEe Islands be purchased BY the
overnment and reallottsd under proper
'nditions t. f'e Inhabitants, is among the &
oct praiseWorihy features Of hjs recent v
port. No action could do more 10 assure v