Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-15
SPECIAL MESSAGE
ON PORTO RICO
President Urges Citise1ship be Con-
ferred on islanders.
HUGH PROSPERITY THERE

Washington. Dec. u. - The presi-
Fents message TO congress giving the
iesult of his recent observation in
Porto Rico and making recommended
lion concerning the government OF that
island was delivered to the senate. It
was read at length and received care
ful attention. The message was as
follows:
on November q I visited the island OF
Porto Rico. landing az Ponce. crossing
by the old Spanish road by Cayey TO
San Juan. and returning Rcxt morning
over the new American road from Are
Cibo 20 Ponce. the scenery was wonder
fully beautiful especially among the
mountains OF the interior which constl-
tute verltable tropic Switzerland.
could not embark at san Juan because
the harbor has not been drcdgcd out and
cannot receive an American battleship.
do not think This fact creditable 20 US
as nation and / earnestly hope that
immediate provision will be made for
dredging San Juan harbor.
stopped az dozen towns all told.
and one OF the notable features ia every
town was the gathering or school chill
drcn. The work that has been done In
Porto Rico Tor education has been note
worthy. The main emphasis as IS emil
nentiy wise and proper. has been put
upon primary education. but I'm addition
20 this there is "a normal school. an agrl-
cultural school. three industrial and
three high schools Every EFFORT Is be-
Ing made 60 secure not only the benefits
or elementary education 20 an the Porto
lNcans Of the next generation. but also
rs Tar as means viii permit 90 train them
20 that the industrial agricultural and
commercial opportunities OF the island
can Doe utilized 20 the best possible nd-
vantage. 10 was evident az a glance
that the teachers. both Americans and
native Porto RiCans. were devoted 20
their work took the greatest pride In st.
and were endcavoriuE 20 train their pu-
pills. not only in mind. but in what counts
for Tar more than mind In citizenship.
that Isl In character.
I was very much struck by the excel
lent character both OF the insuiar police
and OF the Porto Rico regiment. They
are both OF them bodies that reflect credit
upon the American administration or the
island. The lusular police are under the
local Porto Rican government The Porto
Ilcan regiment OF troops must De appro-
priated FOR by congress. earnestly
hope that this body viii be- kept pcrma-
neut There should certainly be troops
in the island. and 10 is wise that these
troous should ho themselves native Porto
Ricans. 10 would Doe from every stand
point mistake not 90 pcrpetuate this
regiment
In traVcrsiur the island even the most
cursory survey leaves thc hcholdcr struck
wlth the evident rapid growth in the cul-
tUre both of thc sugar cane and tobacco.
The fruit industry is also rrowing Last
year was thr most prosperous year that
the island has ever known before or since
the American occupation The total o.
exports and imports OF the ISLAND was
So. 900 uo0 aS against SIS unN OpO ln 1901
This i- the largest boo tle Islands hiss
tory. Prior tp tho American occupation
the greatest trade for ans one year was
that OF Uses. whom lt reached nearly
s.. 600 600. Last year. therefore. there
was double thc trade that there was ia
the most prosperous year under the
Spanish regime. There were llo.213 tons
az sugar exported last year. OF the value
OF S1s1N5.t19. 1855 l6l OF tobacco. and
- 300 SD pounds of coffee OF the value OF
s3.fS1. lQ2 Unfortunately, what used 10 be
Porto Rico'S prime crop-couce-has not
shared this prosperity. IL has never
recovered from the disaster OF the hurri-
cane and moreover the benefit OF throw
ing open our market 90 DO has not COM
peusated Tor thc loss inflicted by the
closing OF thc markets Co lt abroad. I
call your attention Co the accompanying
memorial on this subject. OF the Board
OF Trade OF san Juan. and i earnestly
hope that some measure vii be taken for
the benefit 90 the excellent and high
grade Porto klc4u coffee