New-York tribune., 1903-07-18
CHANGES IN PORTO RICO.
Presidents Decision on Public Lands
ADDrOUed.

San Juan, p. r., July 10 (Specian -Peoble in the
United States cannot understand, unless they are
familiar with Porto Rican affairs the Importance
OF the decision reached a week ago by President
Roosevelt concerning the distribution of public
lands In the island. and especially those in San
Juan. The indications all point to great improve
ments by the War and Navy departments in the
near future we'll to the early sale, at low
figures of $4,000 acres of land in the island suited
to fruit culture, grazing timber cutting and other
industries
As naval station and strongly fortified army
post San Juan is to dignity and it is said
that as soon barracks he erected at least
one thousand more artillerymen will be sent here.
The dispatches received from Washington by Acting
Governor Hartzel show that the federal govern
ment VIII retain the present Qualifications and
line OF ground around the sea wall and along the
north shore lire of the city sufficient to enable it
to construct such additional fcrtificatiens as may
be required in order fully TO complete the plans of
the War Department for the thorough defence of
the city and harbor. it being the intention of the
War Department to. strengthen the fortifcatons
materially by the construction of additional bat
teres and other offensive and defensive works. The
War Department also will retain the infantry bar
racks Casa Blanca Quilt by Ponce de Leon) and
other buildings used by the present military estab
shment, and the President has reserved for their
use the building known the San Domingo Bar
racks To the insular government is given possess
sion of the military hospital all the property known
the San Francisco Barracks the building for
San Francisco-st., and the buildings known the
army ovens near the quartermaster's wharf. In
addition to this, there will be turned to the
people OF Porto Rico the barracks military hos
pital at Ponce two buildings which will be ex-
tremely valuable for insuar purposes.
The President has reserved for the Navy Depart
ment the public lands and buildings the Puntilla
where the present navy station is located and
where coaling facilities being improved He
has also continued in force a reservation made In
1900 by President Mckinley In behalf of the Navy
Department Of long strip of land along the harbor
shore where officers quarters marine barracks and
hospital are to be constructed. He reserves plot
near Fort San Geronimo for the marine hospital
service. Mirafores. the quarantine station in San
Juan Harbor, and the island of CuIebra. with the
adjoining keys, are taken by the federal govern
ment.
Acting Governor Hartzell commenting on the ac-
ton OF the President says
There has not been any possible question of either
victory or defeat for the island in this matter.
Everybody has been confident that when the Pres-
Gent made his reservations whatever distribution
should be determined upon would be agreed TO by
all departments being the best solution which
could be reached. Only the best of feeling has char
actertzed the consultations respecting these matters
and am satisfied that the division which has
finally been determined on by the President will
give satisfaction to everybody