BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-06-20
Lass d Do PuIuisH ClAA PIslHs


market for our coffee. Moreover,
these figures which we give do not
take into account the natural increase
in its production that was to be expec-
ted in view of the magnificent returns
for the labor of our coffee planters.
Fifty three Millions dollars lost in the
few years that the Americans have
occupied this island.
The significance of this vast sum
does not admit of any doubt as to the
losses we have suffered.
Our circulation has been contracted
by $50 100000; all these millions our
people have been unable to employ
in the purchase of the necessaries of
life which constitute. of course, some
thing more than what the harvest of
our coffee had yielded in the same
time.
The foundation on which the econo-
mical prosperity of all countries de-
pends, according to the statements OF
those recognized as authorities in po-
litical economy. consists in the scale
of commercial transactions being COM
mensurate with the total value of
productions, the capita of the country,
consequently. remaining uninpaired.
When the people of country have
to draw on their capital because the
returns from the sales of their pro-
ducts are insufficient, then the econo
mical system is disturbed and the
result is financial embarrassments
more or less serious according to con-
ditions of trade and commerce.
In our country, as is well known,
we have consumed all that we pro-
duce; we have begun to draw on our
capital. and our credit it almost lost.
There is no need that we verify
these statements by an analysis of
causes, nor is it necessary to give the
data in support of our contentious.
1t is enough to quote the figures
which sum up our present state of
ruin, well aware that the optimistic
Mr.. Elliott in his annual report to
Washington will confirm them.
What privations, what tears, what
sufferings. what emigrations are con-
tanned in these figures! What drama
tic see es of dire distress had been
spared US with these lost, millions;
what frightfNl sufferings, what strug
giles avoided!
The irreparable and permanent los
Ses caused by the lack of this enor
nous sum of money staggers the
imagination.
But better times vii come. Trials
SO bitters as those through which we
are now passing cannot last for CEN
turies nor even for years. Days of
abundance of prosperity will yet come,
days reminding us of the happy times
of the past.
But who will restore to the eyes and
from the eyes to the heart all the tears
that sufferings have caused to fall;
who can still The voice of impreca-
tions that hunger has called forth;
who restores to the land the arms of
the victims of proyerty or unhappy
emigrants.
For this there is no remedy. What
we have suffered on the past could,
indeed, have been avoided, and now
we can change the present order of
thugs. And this is why, doubtless,
we hear everywhere plans for the
lAn1C1lL vi OLil CNOA1OiAllCdl NOA0l
tion. projects of new loans which are
to be employed in exploiting our land
on new and scientific lines, the stimd-
lus of our industries without mention
ing the establishment of new ones.
Also certain newspaper which is
held in some esteem defends the plan
for establishing an insular bank which
is to aid in putting into circulation the
money realized from a loan, and the
different political factions that are
strining to get into power are fertile
in expedients for our salvation.
Necessity, as we must admit rather
than inclination has compelled us to
study questions of political economy,
seeking in them immediate remedies
with feverish enthusiasm, Yet ALL
the efforts that these studies ard
plans represent have availed little orf
nothing for the reason that their aa-
tllo1s have failed to work in harmony
not having one and the same goal in
view
The great mass OF opinions ineffec-
tive for the lack Of adherments cham
pioning any one of them and many of
them illogical, only add to the con
fuSsion Of the great and appoling pro