The times., 1901-04-12
OPPOSED BY POLITICIANS.
Efforts of PSrte Ricnss to Get Rid
of Governor Allen.

OF Governor Alien.
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 a 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
tions.
Governor Allen has never painted
picture of abounding prosperity In Porto
Rico and he has been frank in his descrip-
tion of the Industrial and political condi-
tions 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 it 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-
ters. 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
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
Administration party is headed by men
who not only clamored 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-called 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 it. Governor Allen is
charged with inconsiderate haste in sign
ing the measure without having had an
opportunity to study it's provisions. 1t is
true that the Governor signed the bill
very soon after it had been passed by the
Legislature-practically by a 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 numerousiy signed appealing !
for aid are worthless as an index to popu
lar sentiment in Porto Rico. AS for the |
of laborers, that is indicative |
Of two conditfons-one, that special in |
ducements have been offered by prospec- |
tive employers of labor in Hawaii, Cuba, |
and Ecuador; the other, that the people |
Of Porto Rico are awakening to the pos |
sfbflit!es of bettering their situation else I
where. Under Spanish rule they hardly !
knew what money meant, so rare was 1t I
to be found among the poorer classes. |
and money has become a more familiar
object. and when Invitations came to
cave the island and receive regular wages
Il is not astonishing that some laborers
The Porto Rican labor market has been
opened to the world for the first time
nat Is all ne lot ltDOfeIs
o go TO Hawaii were especially aliuring
An offer was made to transport to those
stands any laborer with those dependent
IN him, and wages We're promised which
seemed extraordinary. 1t was also agreed
hat each laborer should be given
lumber of acres of land after he
lad been at work Certain num-
Der 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
offered by Ecuador and Cuba and yet
Dnly 1900 Porto Ricans have thus far |
walled themselves of the opportunities
'ffered in three places mbined-not an
llarming proportion of a population of
more than 100000
ut is believed here that when the pro-
essional agitators in 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.