The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-12
OPPOSED BY POLITICIANS.
Efforts Of PSrte RicnRs to Get Rid
of Governor Allen.

VI UONernOr atIeh.
NEW YORK. April 1.-THE CONNER
cial Advertiser prints the following from
its Washington correspondent:
The apparently systematic attempt to
discredit the American administration OF
affairs in Porto Rico and TO parade the
poverty of the island is regarded in Wash
ington as part of plan entered into by
professional agitators in Porto Rico. en-
couraged by certain elements in the Unit
ed States. Governor Allen will not enter
into public controversy concerning the
condition of affairs in the island, but
during his stay in Washington he has
made it clear to the President and to
others In authority that the situation has
been misrepresented by those who have
given out letters and interviews and who
are advancing on Washington with petit
lions.
Governor Allen has never painted a
picture of Astounding prosperity In Porto
Rico and he has been frank in his descrip-
ton of the Industrial and political condi-
tons there. He has said merely that
conditions were constantly improving and
that with time and opportunity the island
was capable of splendid development
Just at present 1t is overrun with politi-
clans and agitators who have made what
trouble they could for Governor Aliens
administration and who have seized the
opportunity offered by his visit to the
United States to flood American newspa-
pers with partisan articles in the hope Of
affecting a change.
There is reason to believe that the false
reports of Governor Aliens intended res
ignation were originated in those quar-
tiers. He has no idea of resigning his
post. 1t was noticed here that the reports
Were simultaneous with a movement In
Porto Rico to obtain the appointment of
a new Governor, a man who, 1t Is said,
has business connections in the island.
Governor Allen says there is more poll
ties to the square inch in Porto Rico
than in any part of the United States of
which he has any knowledge. The anti
party is headed by men
who not only clainored for the election of
Byran last year, but who have been doing
everything in their power ever since to
embarrass the American Administration
At the present time they are extremely
bitter against the so-calied Hollander
law. which, for the first time In the his
tory OF Porto Rico, aims to lay the bur-
den of taxation on the shoulders of those
best able to bear 1t. Governor Allen is
charged with inconsiderate haste in sign
ing the measure without having had an
opportunity to study its provisions. 1t is
true that the Governor signed the bill
very soon after it had been passed by the
egislature-practically by unanimous
vote in both branches-but he had been /
thoroughly familiar with its provisions
long before it came to him for signature. |
He was, in fact. waiting eagerly for the |
Legislature to pass 1t, in order that he |
might affix his signature and thus inaug- |
urate an intelligent system for maintain |
ing the revenues Of the island.
Petitions numefousIy signed appealing |
for aid are worthless as an index to popu- |
ar sentiment in Porto Rico. AS for the |
emigration of laborers. that is indicative |
Of two conditions-one, that special in
iucements have been offered by prospec-
i've employers of labor in Hawaii, Cuba. |
and Ecuador; the other. that the people |
IF Porto Rico are awakening to the pos
'ibilities Of betterfng their situation else
where. Under Spanish rule they hardly !
1new what money meant. 80 rare was It |
o be found among the poorer classes.
Since American enterprise entered the ISL
and money has become a more familiar
cave the island and receive regular wages
I is not astonishing that some laborers
accepted them .. hloa sJs srq
THE Porto Rican labor market has been
hat is all. The inducements for laborers
o go TO Hawaii were especially alluring.
IN offer was made to transport to those
Stands any laborer, with those dependent
IN him, and wages were promised which
eemed extraordinary. 1t was also agreed
hat each laborer should be given
lumber of acres of land after he
lad been at work a certain num-
yer of months. In that way the Ha-
yaiian planters have transported not only
aborers, but old men, women. children, |
md, In some cases, cripples.
inducements hardly less alluring were
'ffered by Ecuador and Cuba, and yet
My 1900 Porto Ricans have thus far
vailed themselves of the opportunities
ffered in three places combined-not an
farming proportion of a population of
more than 10000
1T is believed here that when the pro-
essional agitators III Porto Rico under
tand fully that Governor Allen is TO re-
urn to the island there will be less talk
bout the 'deplorable industrial condi-
ions