Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-01
Instructive Letter From Gov. Allen to
Secretary Long.
CHANGE IN PORTO RICAN SENTIMENT
Abundant Crops, Plenty Of Work
and No Starvation.
FACTS BOUT HEALTH

Secretary Long has received an interest
| ing letter from Governor Allen of Porto
Rico, formerly assistant secretary of the
navy, and warm personal friend of the
| Secretary. The communication is import
ant in that it sets at naught the many
alarming reports that have confe to hand
telling of dire distress and poverty among
the islanders, and chronicles a constantly
growing measure of prosperity in Porto
Rico. The letter in part follows:
1.-THE anti-American. sentiment, which
was prevalent at the beginning of the civil
government has entirely disappeared, and
the masses of the people were never more
contented, I sure, than at the present
time. More employed than ever before,
and at better wages, and, indeed there is
a scarcity of labor in certain sections and
contractors complain that they are unable
to secure sufficient help, although they are
paying 30 cents in gold, swhere ten months
ago they paid 30 cents in pesetas This,
you see is a great advance for them. The
crops are abnormally large, and of eX-
cellent quality.
The Government seif-Sustainipy.
Our customs receipts are constantly in
creasing, as well as the internal revenue
collections. All our bills are promptly paid,
we have always a surplus in the treasury,
expires on June3O, entirely within our budget
allowance so / feel sure the President
can have reason for great satisfaction with
the results in Porto Rico. Civil govern
nent in Porto Rico has not cost the people
of the United States one penny. 1t has
been self-sustaining from the beginning.
The island is rich, and is sure to prove a
valuable asset of the United States
AS to 'destitution' and Starvation in
Porto Rico, they. do not exist, and with
md r,1a Lob,
hand, If there should be a ease of starva-
ton here, it might properly be called a case
of suicide
Mfsstat ements Corrected.
Governor Allen also forwarded report
from the board of health, of which the fol-
lowing are extracts:
Immense harm has been done by the
probably well-meant but certainly unwise
statements published by persons who had
not been a month on the island, and who
could not possibly be in position to give
opinion of any value. Fer instance the
statement was published that as the death
rate in Porto Rico was so and so, whereas
the birth rate was but one-fourth of this,
it was only a question of few years when
Porto Rico would be depopuiated. Had
this individual taken the trouble to ask
for the real facts in the proper quarter, he
would have seen that the apparently hor-
rible condition he 'lamented was simply
whereas every death is necessarily noted
in consequence of the legal requirements
as to burial. The large death rate of Ponce
has been attributed to all sorts of causes
but the right one, this being the influx of
paupers from every district in the island,
in order to obtain a share of the relief
which was popularity supposed to be un-
limited in amount, and free to all. Ponce
proper was thus fathered with crowd
of several thousand Fick and destitute
people, the deaths among whom should
fairly have been apportioned to their ma
tive localities. In fact l have received
communications from the United States IN
which it was plain thatfthe impression was
widespread to the existence of terrible
epidemic in Ponce, rendering life there
risky business. Now, In truth, the sickness
of Ponce were not abnormally great, and
there never had been the slightest appear
ance Of any epidemic disease.
Most Encouraging Prospects.
"We must not expect too much or think
that new methods can be introduced all at
once no matter how desirable they. may
be, but with patience and tact it Will be
possible to carry out a complete reforma-
ton in the present conditions, and IN TINS
way save the health and lives OF innumer-
able people. 1 feel that by reason OF my
length of residence and Intimate knowledge
of local conditions, dueeto my official po-
sition, 1 am entitled to shy that Porto Rico
has already made very great progress
along many lines, and Chat the prospects
for the future are most encouraging.
1.-THE board of health has always regarded
it's mission mainly as one Of education, and
has never exercised its great powers of
compulsion except in very few instances,
where prompt and radical measures were
demanded for the protection of the public.
II is always ready and willing to furnish
to all who ask any advice or assistance In
Its power, and l am proud to say that it's
efforts to raise the people of Porto Rico
to better things are being so cordially rec
ognized by all that it's work becomes more
and more labor of love to those engaged
in it,"