The Springfield herald., 1906-12-21
PORTO RICO MESSAGE.

PORTO RICO MESSAGE.
Tho Presidents Obse ervations and Rec
concentrations.
| Washington-The Presidents mes
sage to Congress giving the result OF
his recent observations in Porto Rico
and making recommendations concern.
ing the government OF that island was
read to the Senate Tuesday. The mes
sage was in part as follows:
"On November 21st l visited the
island Of Porto Rico, landing at
Ponce. crossing by the old Spanish
I road by Cayey to San Juan, and re-
turning next morning over the new
American road from Arecibo to Ponce.
| The scenery was wonderfully beauti-
full. especially among the mountains OF
| the interior, which constitute veri-
table tropic Switzerland. l could not
embark at San Juan because the har-
Dor has not been dredged out and can
not receive an American battleship. l
do not think this fact creditable to us
as nation. and l earnestly hope that
immediate provision will be made for
dredging San Juan harbor.
II 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.
Il stopped at dozen towns all told,
and one of the notable features in ev-
cry 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
proper. has been put upon primary ed
ucation; but in addition to this there
is normal school, an agricultural
school, three industrial and three
high schools.
II was very much struck by the ex-
cellent character both of the insular
police and of the Porto Rican regi-
ment. They are botn OF them bodies
that 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 appropri-
ated for by Congress earnestly
hope that this body will be kept per-
manent.
in traversing the island even the
most cursory survey leaves the
beholder struck with the evil
dent rapid growth to the cul.
ture both of sugar cane and
tobacco. The fruit industry is also
growing. Last year was the most
prosperous year that the island has
ever known before or since the Ameri-
can occupation. The total of exports
and imports of the island was $45 ,OO0,-
900. as against $1s,O0O.0o in 1901. This
is the largest in the islands history.
Prior to the American occupation the
greatest trade for any one year was
that of 1896, when it reached nearly
$23,O00,0O0. Last year, therefore, was
double the trade that there was in the
most prosperous year under the Span
ish regime. There were 210.273 tons OF
sugar exported last year, of the value
of $l4,1SG.3l9: $3.555.1G3 of tobacco.
and 2S,29O.322 pounds of coffee of the
value of $3.4Sl ,102. Unfortunately,
what used to be Porto Rico's prime
crop-coffee-has not shared this pros
perity.
There is matter to which l wish
to call your special attention, and that
is the desirability of comforting full
American citizenship upon the people
of Porto Rico. l most earnestly hope
that this will be done. l can not see
how any harm can possibly result from
1t, and 1t seems to me matter of right
and justice to the people OF Porto Rico.
They are loyal, they are glad to be
under our flag. they are making rapid
progress along the path OF orderly lib
erty. Surely we should show our ap-
probation OF them, our pride in what
they have done. and our pleasure in
extending recognition for what has
thus been done, by granting them full
American citizenship.
IL transmit herewith the report OF
the governor of Porto Rico, sent to the
President through the secretary OF
state.
"All the insular governments should
be placed In one bureau. either In the
Department of War or the Department
of State. 1t is mistake not to so ar
range our handling OF these islands at
Washington as to be able to take ad'
vantage of the experience gained in
one when dealing with the problems
that from time to time arise In an
other.
I'm conclusion let me express my ad-
miration for the work done by the Con
gress when 1t enacted the law under
which the island Is now being admin
istered. After seeing the island per
sonally, and after five years expert
ence in connection with its administra-
ton, 1t Is but fair to those who de-
vised this law to say that it would be
well-nigh impossible to have devised
any other which in the actual working
would have accomplished better u
sulta
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"