The Washington herald., 1906-12-12
PRAISES PORTO RICO
President Tells of Beauty of
Island in Message.
WOULD MAKE PEOPLE CITIZENS
Tells Congress He Knows of No Rea-
son why They should Not Be
Treated the Same as People Here.
Has Kind Words for Native Officers
and SOIdiers-OncIaIs Efficient.

The expected special message Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt on Porto Rico was re-
ceived by Congress yesterday. The mes
sage is as follows:
ITO the Senate and House Of Represent
atives:
"On November q I visited the island
of Porto Rico. landing at Ponce, crossing
by the old Spanish road by Cayey 10 San
Juan, and returning the next morning
over the new American road from Are
cibo 10 Ponce; the scenery was wonder
fully beautiful, especially among the
mountains of the interior. which consti-
tute a veritable tropic Switzerland 1
could not embark at San Juan because
the harbor has not been dredged out and
cannot receive an American battle ship.
1 do not think this fact creditable 10 US
as nation, and / earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision will be made for dredg
ing San Juan Harbor
Il doubt whether our people as a whole
realize the beauty and fertility of Porto
Rico, and the progress that has been
made under its admirable government.
We have just cause for pride in the char
acter of our representatives who have
administered the tropic islands which
came under our flag as a result Of the
war with Spain; and OF no one Of them
is this more true than Of Porto Rico.
officials Are Emcient.
'It would be impossible to wish a more
faithful. more efficient, and a more dis
Interested public service than that now
being rendered in the island of Porto
Rico by those in control Of the insular
government
Il stopped at a dozen towns all told.
and one Of the notable features in every
town was the gathering Of the school
children. The work that has been done
IN Porto Rico for education has been
noteworthy The main emphasis, as is
emlnently wise and proper, has been put
upon primary education; but in addition
10 this there are a normal school an agri-
cultural school. three industrial and three
high schools.
Every effort Is being made to secure
not only the benefits of elementary edu-
cation to all the Porto Ricans Of the
next generation, but also as far as means
viii permit TO train them, so that the
industrial. agricultural. and commercial
opportunities of the island can be utilized
to the best possible advantage.
Teachers Are Devoted to work.
1T was evident az a glance that the
teachers. both Americans and native
Porto Rlcans. were devoted 10 their work.
took the greatest pride In Il, and we're
endeavoring to train their pupils. not
only I'm mind but in what counts for FAR
more than mind in citizenship-that IS.
in character.
Il was very much struck by the excel
lent character both Of the insular police
and Of the Porto Rican regiment They
are beth Of them bodies that reflect
credit upon the American administration
OF the island. The insular police are
under the local Porto Rican government.
The Porto Rican regiment of troops must
be appropriated for by the Congress. I
earnestly hope that this body viii be
kept permanent. There should certainly
be troops in the Island. and It is wise
that these troops should be themselves
native Porto RiCans. 1t would be from
every STANDPOINT a Ills tdht Ltbb ~ pSt-
petuate this regiment.
Industries Increasing Rapidly.
In traversiug the island even the most
cursory survey leaves the beholder struck
with the evident rapid growth in the
culture both of the sugar cane and TO-
bacco. The fruit industry is also grow
ing. Last year was the most prosperous
year that the island has ever known be
fore or since the American occupation.
The total of exports and imports of the
island was S45.O0O.000 as against $4,000 600
in 1901. This is the largest Ia the islands
history.
prior to the American occupation the
greatest trade for any one year was that
Of 1886 when It reached nearly $500 00o-
Last year. therefore, there was double
the trade that there was in the most
prosperous year under the Spanish re-
gime. There were 210.Z73 tons of sugar
exported last year, of the value Of Sl4,lS6,-