The Mena weekly star., 1906-12-13
MESSAGE ON PORTO RICO
President Roosevelt Tells Congress of His Recent Visit to the
 Island.
FULL CITIZENSHIP IS RECOMMENDED
POT to Ricnns Have Made Rapid Pro- gress ina all Branches Since Com- ing UnAer the Control of United stntes-Are Almost Self Govern ing Now-OfficiaIs Commended.


 Washington, Dec. 12.-President Roosevelt sent a special message to congress Tuesday, regarding Porto Rican affairs, telling of his recent visit to the island and recommend ing that full American citizenship be accorded Porto Ricans. The mes sage in part is as follows:
 To the Senate and House of Repre-
 sentatiyes:
 On November 21 I visited the is- land of Porto Rico, landing at Ponce, crossing by the old Spanish road by Cayey to San Juan, and returning next morning over the new Ameri- can road from Arecibo to Ponce; the scenery was wonderfully beautiful, especially among the mountains of the interior. which constitute verit- al h Switzerland. l could not em- bark at San Juan because the harbor has not been dredged out and can not receive an American battle ship. I do not think this fact creditable to a nation, and earnestly hope that immediate provision will be made for dredging San Juan harbor.
 I 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 educa- ton has been noteworthy. The main emphasis, as is eminently wise and proper, has been put upon primary education; but in addition to this there Is 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 education to sll the Porto Ricans of the next gem eration, but also as far as means will permit to train them so that the in dustrial, agricultural and commercial opportunities of the island can be utilized to the best possible advant- age.
 was very much struck by the ex- ce,'ent character both of the insular police and of the Porto Rican regi- ment. They are both 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 ap, propriated for by congress. I earn estly hope that this body will be kept permanent. There should certainly be troops in the island. and 1t Is wise that these troops should be them selves native Porto Ricans. It would be from every standpoint a mistake not to perpetuate this regiment
 There is a matter to which I wish to call your attention, and that is the desirability of comforting full Amer ican citizenship upon the people of Porto Rico. most earnestly hope that this will be done. can not see how any harm can possibly re- suit from it, and it seems to me a matter of right and justice to the peo- pie of Porto Rico. 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 in extending recognition for what has thus been done, by granting them full Ameri- can citizenship.
 Under the wise administration of the present governor and council. marked progress has been made in the difficult matter of granting to the people of the island the largest measure of self-government that can with safety be given at the present time. It would have been very serious mistake to have gone any faster than we have already gone in this direction, The Porto Rieans