The sun., 1907-08-27

only 81, ,04o,2o9 worth Of such goods. an
compared with Porto Ricos takings OF
S3,o7s,2a7 worth. The same tariff which
gave tho island profitable market for
Sl5,3O0,OOO worth Of sugar and molasses
and "a, $50 900 worth of tobacco and cigars
gave US her trade for s4,ls5.0OO worth Of
rice, for which she paid four cents a
pound instead OF the two cents or 80 a
pound which is the generally prevailing
price in Latin American markets buying
from Europe.
There are reasons, some Of which are
sound while others are not. for Porto
Rico's purchase from us Of 81 300, 900
worth Of meat and dairy products and
Of sl,l7O,OOO worth OF wheat -four. but
there is no excuse whatever for her COM
ing to us for $780, 200 worth OF beans,
peas, potatoes and onions. She should
supply her tables with vegetables Of
home production. The purchase OF
$S45,O worth OF American boots and
shoes must make a considerable inroad
in the demand for the hempen soled
Spanish aipdrgata and the crude sopdto
made by the Porto Rican shoemaker. The
bill for nearly 900 900 worth Of iron and
steel manufactures includes locomotives,
sewing machines, cash registers, type
writers, pumps, safes, steel rails, build
ers' hardware, boilers and cutlery. The
purchase Of s275 900 worth of fertilizers is
sign of more up to date methods in cul-
tivation. Most of this probably went TO
the tobacco fields.
In 1901 the United States took 1877 mill
ion pounds of Porto Rican sugar OF a
total value Of N,6o5,OOO. During the
fiscal year just closed the purchases we're
4OS million pounds, valued at iA,770.S .SS4.
In 1901 we took eleven million Porto Ri
can cigars, valued at S29e, 900, or $40 a
hundred. Last year we took 10 million
valued at $4,235, 900, or $3.50 hundred,
an improvement in quality as well as an
increase in quantity. The trade in Porto
Rican cigars has little more than
doubled within two years. n the quality
Of the weed is maintained and the supply
increased there is no special reason why
the trade should not double again within
the next two or three years. While there
are those who do not like the Porto Rican
cigar, there is an ever increasing number
of those who find it quite what they want
in price and flavor
The excellent coffee of the island finds no
market here. There can be no question
of its excellence, yet ii does not sell. We
bought last year 81 800, 900 worth Of similar
grades Of coffee from Central America and
more of a like quality from other coun-
tries. We bought from Porto Rico in 1905
only s23, 900 worth, and s27 600 worth dur
ing 1905, total of $50 900 in two years for
a product which has long been the main
stay Of the Porto Ricans. The details OF
coffee shipments to other countries are
not yet at hand. The exports for 1900
show value of a little less than 81, 500 900.
While the quantity produced is now not
far short of the output of 1895, the export
sales show only about one-half the total
value OF those of the old Spanish time.
The Porto Ricans would think that the
millennium had really come If this ooun-
try would buy a few million dollars worth
of their coffee at fair prices.
The progress Of the island is gratify-
ing and some day our politicians who
control the matter may give its people a
more definite political status.