New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-15
PORTO RyCAy PROSPERITY.


Porto Rico offers a spectacle Of order and
prosperity. For the last two or three years the
island has been making striking material prog
ress. and with this progress have come political
confidence and cOntentment Porto Rico IN
dOubtedly had much TO contend with In the years
immediately following annexation. The ties of
administration and commerce with Spain were
severed. New relations, political and ecOnomi
cal, had TO bee established. and the ways OF an
other nation. foreign In tongue and sympathies,
had TO be studied and mastered In our earlier
efforts TO govern Porto Rico and TO accustom the
Porto Rlcans TO American methods mistakes
were made-and were bound TO be made. New
markets were opened slowly and Porto Rican
production was checked for time, not only by
the stOppage OF trade outlets. but by the great
catastrophe Of 1899. which devastated a large
portion of the islands coffee growing area. Eco
nOnic pressure aggravated dissatisfaction over
certain experiments In administration, and for a
time many Porto Ricans were disposed TO doubt
II annexation had really bettered their condition
Since 1902, however, political friction has
steadily decreased and production and commerce
have had a marked revival Under Spanish
rule. from 1850 10 1895. the islands exports had
fuctuated in value between 100000 and Sl2-
100000 yearly. We had only a small share IN
this trade. and when the change In sovereignty
came Porto Rico was left dependent on us as it's
best purchaser. In 1899. consequently. the ISL
and's sales fell in value 10 S6OO0OOO-more than
half made to the United States. BY 1902 they
had climbed again To the high mark under the
Spanish fiag-Sl2.OOOOO0-an since 1902 they
have jumped 20 Sl5.OOO.OOO. then To S1S.O0OOOO
and inally-last year-to $235OOOOO Under
American rule Porto RicOs exports have
doubled. The United States has become In the
mean time. the iS'lnd's beSt-almost It's sole
customer In 1900 were buying Porto Rican
products valued at $2,5OO.OOO In the fiscal wear
lO5-o6 we bought products valued AT $1,000.
600 The import trade has expanded along
practically the same lines. 1t has Increased
from Sl2OOOO0O 10 $22OOOOOO annually. and
instead OF our selling to Porto Rico merchan-
disc valued NJ less than 100000. as In 1900.
our sales have now risen to S19.OOOCOO.
1t IS no wonder that under these conditions
the island feels prosperous and contented Free
entry To the American market is a gift which
every other West India state or colony must
envy. We allow Porto Rican sugar T.. come in
free while charging the full Dingley duty Oh
South and Central American sugar and sugar
from the other West India ISLAND and 50 Der
cent Of the Dingey rate on sugar from Cuba
The Porto Rican planter has therefore, pref
erentlal which gives him a marked advantage
over all his neighb0rs and rivals; and that he
appreciates his opportunities Is proved by the
increase Of Porto Rican sugar exports 70 the
United States from 10000 tons in I9O2-'OS To
more than 100000 tons in l905-'O6. In value
Porto RicO's exports of sugar have doubled I'm
the last seven years so far we hnve aimed
chiefly AT putting our West Indian dependency
on a sound economical basis. There is no reason
why the island should not continue 10 develop
and prosper; and with this development Will
come I'm time larger measure OF local seIf-gov-
eminent