BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-07-19
SAN JUAN, JULY 19, 1901.
Editorial Comment.

The New York Herald publishes almost
daily more or less sensational articles which
are full Of alarms as to Germany'S intent
in South america, her tancied purpose of
challenging the Monroe doctrine as soon
as her power is sufficiently strengthened
upon the seas and the imminence of war
between that country and the United States
in consequence.
So far as can he seen the "Herald" IS
almost alone in foreSeeing these tell events,
as for the most of the great American
journals they have accepted tine denials
that have been made by the highest aut-
horities in Germany, unofficial of course,
as they could not be made otherwise, since
the matter, in the absence Of any overt
act, could not well be taken up diplomat.
ically. Matters in such an event would
be approaching near to the breaking point.
TIE truth probably is that the talk has
all been caused by the extensive coloniza.
ton OF Germans in South America, and
that there is an Increasing tide OF inter-
course between the mother country aud its
transplanted citizens, a very natural thing
The traditional friendship which bas ever
existed betneen the United States and
Germany is not to be lightly broken, nor
is there to be seen in what has so far oc.
Cured the remotest threat of war.
Threre has been hot fight made against
Commissioner of Pensions Evans at Was
hington which has been aimej at securing
his removal from the Office which he has
held since the coming in of tie first Nc
Kinley administration.
Charges are made that Mr.. Evans has
exercised the duties of his Office in par
tiai manner m m tlsat has sEtei; instt ti tn
granting of or the increase of pensions in
deserving cases, and that, indeed, his in
terpretston of the pension laws and his
whole administration of the office have
been in opposition to the best interests Of
the old soldiers.
So far as can be seen these charges have
mainly originated with certain pension at
torneys whose sole purpose, Commissioner
Evans, friends aver, is to push Il claims
Of their clients no matter how founded.
1t appears that the chief OF the pension
bureau Enjoys the confidence of the adm-
nslratoi and the president, With whom
be is reported 10 have held a pleasant in.
terview lately, has siguified no purpose to
remove him.
The fact that large number Of Neac
York merchants accompanied Governor
Alien from that city to Washington, to be
present there when tho free trade resOlu-
tion passed by lh3 Porto Rican legislature
is officially acted upon aud the executive
order declaring the tariff removed is pro.
claimed, indicates that high degree of
interest is felt in Porto P.can affairs in the
large commercial centers, aud is full of
future promise for US.
The removal of the tariff will maxi SO
considerable reduction in the st If IN
portatioDs that tue benefits of cheaper prices
should be almost Immediately ielt.
there is reason to believe, now til It the
last step IS about TO be taken that shall
put our affans upon a more fixed ami def
ite basis llan they lave heretofore occupied,
that considerable influx Of America. Cap
pital will find its way to the island, aid
In the light of these expectations 1t would
be well thst steps should be taken t,pub
lioly present Tue many advantages that
Porto Rico undoubtedly offers to investors.
Numerous openings are to be found tere
not a,one for large companies prepared to 50
into sugar tobacco and coffee planting on
an extensive plan but for men OF snail tans
vino may purchase limited tracts of lands at
reasonable prices and engage not alone in
these enterprises but in small fruit farminy,
live stock growing, dsirying and poultry
breeding and IN some other ways which the
BoLETIN MERCANTIL has ben endeavor-
ing 10 point in recent articles in these
columns.
Active and cooperative boards Of trade
should be organized throughout the island
for the purpose of developing our industrial
field ard presenting the facts as they are
through properly prepared statistics to .he
investing classes everywhere.