Evening star., 1936-05-10

| is an extensive f1eld Tor development.
There are over 1900 streams on the
island and virtually all of them have
power possibilities. Today, with fed
eral funds, five power and light prof.
ects are under way. Two of these are
at Toro Negro and comprehend the
development of two hydro-electric
plants, the necessary transmission and
distribution lines to dispose Of their
production to the surrounding coun-
try. A third is at CARTE and fourth
on Garzas River. A fifth is the
project at Don Bocas (Arecibo River
For rural electrification the sum Of
over s2,725 900 has been allocated, and
for the rehabilitation over S22, 500, 900,
out of total of S37, 100000.
Stun clearance and housing come
in for their share as well as does
education in the construction Of new
buildings in connection with the Uni
versity Of Puerto Rico. At least two
dozen projects have been worked out
in connection with the university
from the construction of q normal
school to laboratories, roads, side
walks and alterations at the School
Of Tropical Medicines.
Million for Reforestation.
Reforestation and forestation get
| something like million dollars. Soil
erosion control, construction of noun
tain trails, purchase Of timberland
and the maintenance of camps
throughout the island all come under
this head.
In fact, the Puerto Rican pattern
Of help is not any different from that
which has been going on IN the
United States for the past few years,
save with this exception, the condi-
tions existing there for relief are
more terribly pronounced. The island
is overpopulated and the populace has
not the initiative to be found for SELF
help herein.
Do the Puerto Ricans want free
dom?
There Is no doubt in the minds of
those who have lately spent some
time IN the island but that there Is a
desire on the part Of every Puerto
Rican for independence. But it Is not
the hambouyant hysteria we have
found elsewhere in our colonial sys-
tenn.
"The people of the United States
IN the cause Of liberty, justice and
humanity =" said Gen. Nelson
A. Miles to the Puerto Ricans when
we went into the island, come bear
ing the banner of freedom inspired
by a noble purpose not tc
make war upon the people of q coun-
try that for centuries has been op-
pressed but, on the contrary, to bring
you protection, not only to yourselves
but to your property, to promote your
prosperity and to bestow upon you
the immunities and blessings Of the
liberal institutions Of our Govern
ment - to give to all within
the control Of its military and naval
forces the advantages and blessings
Of an enlightened civilization"
And "the United States" said Cal.
win Coolidge while President in 1928
''has made no promise to the people
of Puerto Rico that has not been more
than fulfilled, nor has any representa-.
tive or spokesman for the United
States made such q promise" Ane
there the matter Of political indie.
pendence, so far as Puerto Rico i!
concerned, seems to rest. For thers
Is no militant majority or minority
fighting for such independence. Thii
does not preclude, however, the Lib
eral party, the majority party In th'
island, from carrying In its platform
q plank for independence, nor the So
cialist- Republic party from advocating
statehood as counter move In 1T
party platform.
In the island there is another part!
la very small one, just growing
which may in time come to more In
duence In this matter thaR either O