Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-12
CITIZENSHIP FOR
PORTO RICANS
ROOSEVELT SENDS SPECIAL
MESSAGE
Urges Congress to Pass New Meas
ures-Prslses School system Of
slands-Expresse Adnira-
tlon for Present Law
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE prest-
dents message to congress giving the
result of his recent observation in
Porto Rico and making recommended
tions concerning the government OF that
island was read to the senate today.
The message was as follows:
November 21 L visited the island of
Porto Rico, landing at Ponce crossing
by the old Spanish road by Cayey to
San Juan, and returning next morning
over the new American road from Are
cibo to Ponce; the scenery was wonder
fully beautiful, especially among the
mountains Of the interior, which con-
stitute a veritable tropic Switzerland.
/ could not embark at San Juan be-
cause the harbor has not been dredged
out and cannot receive an American
battleship. 1 do not think this fact
creditable to us as a nation, and
earnestly hope that immediate pro-
vision will be made for dredging San
Juan harbor.
School Children Please Him
zone 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
eninently wise and proper, has been
put upon primary education; but in
addition to this there is a normal
school, an agricultural school, three
Industrial and three high schools.
Every effort Is being made to secure
not only the benefits of elementary
education to all the Porto Ricans of
the next generation, but also as far as
means will permit to train them so
that the Industrial, agricultural and
commercial opportunities of the island
can be utilized to the best possible
advantage. 1t was evident at a glance
that the teachers, both Americans and
native Porto Ricans were devoted to
their work, took the greatest pride in
1t, and were endeavoring to train their
pupils, not only in mind, but in what
counts for far more than mind in citi-
zenship, that is, in character.
Should Grant Citizenship
"In traversing the island even the
most cursory survey leaves the be-
holder struck with the evident rapid
growth in the culture both of the sugar
cane and tobacco. The fruit industry
is also growing. Last year was the
most prosperous year that the island
American occupation. The total of ex
ports and imports of the island was
sac, 900, 900 as against $1S,000,000 in 1901.
This is the largest in the islands his
tory.
"There is a matter to which I wish
to call your special attention and
+ that Is the desirability of comforting
full American citizenship upon the
people of Porto Rico. 1 most earnestly
hope that this will be done. 1 cannot
see how any harm can possibly result
from it, and it seems to me a matter
OF right and justice to the people of
Porto Rico.
:t"They are loyal, they are glad to be
under our flag, they are making rapid
progress along the path of orderly
liberty. Surely we should show our
appreciation of them, our pride in what
they have done, and our pleasure iii
extending recognition for what has thus
been done, by granting them full
American citizenship.
Praises Law
"In conclusion, let me express my ad-
miration for the work done by the con-
eress when it enacted the law under
which the island is now being adminis-
tered. After seeing the island person
ally, and after five years experience in
connection with it's administration, it is
but fair to those who devised this law
to say that it would be well-nigh i'm
possible to have devised any other
which, in the actual working, would
have accomplished better results.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"The White House, Dec. IL, 1906"