The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-12-21

hington.-President Roosevelt's
message, describing conditions in Por
to Rico, and making recommendations
for legislation he believes necessary,
was read to the congress. 1t is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House of Represen
tatives:
On November 81 | visited the island
Of Porto Rico, landing at Ponce, cross
ing by the old Spanish road by Cayey
to San Juan, and returning next morn
ing over the new American road from
Arecibo to Ponce; the scenery was
wonderfully beautiful, especially
among the mountains of the interior,
which constitute a veritable tropic
Switzerland. l could not embark at
San Juan because the harbor has not
been dredged out and can not receive
an American battleship. l do not
think this fact creditable to us as
cation, and l earnestly hope that i'm
mediate provision will be made for
dredging San Juan harbor
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 character of our represen-
tatives who have administered the
tropic islands which came under our
Gag as a result of the war with Spain;
and of no one Of them is this more
true than of Porto Rico. 1t would be
impossible to wish more faithful, a
more efficient and a more disinter
ested public service than that now be-
Rico by those in control Of the insular
government.
stopped at 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 en-
phasis, as is eminently wise and prop
or. has been put upon primary educa-
tion; but in addition to this there Is a
normal school. and agricultural school,
three Industrial and three high
schools. Every effort is being made to
secure not only the benefits of ele-
mentary 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, agri-
cultural and commercial opportunities
Of the island can be utilized to the
best possible advantage. 1t was evil
dent at a glance that the teachers,
both Americans and native Porto
Rcans, were devoted to their work,
took the greatest pride in it, and were
endeavoring to train their pupils, not
only In mind, but in what counts for
tar more than mind in citizenship, that
Ia, in character
was very much struck by the ex'
cellent character both of the insular
police and OF the Porto Rican regi'
ment. They are both OF them bodies
chat reflect credit upon the American
administration Of the island. The in
sular police are under the local Porto
Rican government. The Porto Rican
regiment OF troops must be appro
eriatsd for by the congress. earn
estly hope that this body will be kept
permanent. There Should certainly be
troops In the islanl, and it is wise
that these troops should be themselves
native Porto Ricans. II won'd be
from every standpoint mistake mo-
TO perpetuate this regiment.
In traversins lie island even thu
NEST cursory survey leaves the be
holder struck with the evident rapiC
growth in the culture both OF the su
gar cane and tobacco. The fruit in
dustry is also growing. Last year wa
the most prosperous year that TIN
island has ever kro Sn before or sine
the American occupation. The tota
Of exports and imports of the islan'
was ST., o0o, 900, as against S1S,OO0,0O
In 1901. This is the largest in tn
islands history. Prior to the ,Ameri
can occupation the greatest trade 10
any one year was that of 1896, when
reached nearly s2s 100000. Last yeal
therefore. there was double the trad
that there was in the most prosper
Gus year under the Spanish regime
There we're 210,273 tons of sugar e'
ported last year. Of the value of $A
1859; s3,555,1s3 of tobacco. an
1920, 1922 pounds of coffee OF the valu
Of ;S,4S1 IO2. Unfortunately, wha
used to be Porto Rico's prime crop
coffee-has. not shared this prospe
fly. It has never recovered from tn
disaster of the hurricane, and. NOR
over, the benefit of throwing ope
our market to 1t has not compensate
for the loss inflicted BY the closing