Evening star., 1950-11-01
The Problem in Puerto Rico

The words "revolt," rebellion" and "in-
surrection" seem bit too strong to describe
what has just occurred in Puerto Rico. There
has been display of bloody violence and terror
ism, but there has been no popular uprising. The
whole thing has been the work Of a small group
OF American-hating fanatics who belong to
discredited, down-at-the-he political organi-
yation called the Nationalist Party.
This party-which has the support of the
Communists headed by the notorious Pedro
Abizu Campos, whose terroristic activities placed
him behind bars in the Federal Penitentiary at
Atlanta, Ca, from 1887 to 1943. His followers
constitute only handful of Puerto Rico's pop
ulation of more than 100000 all of whom are
American citizens Exploited by the Reds, the
Nationalists are kind of lunatic fringe favoring
q complete break with the United States. BY
way of contrast, the overwhelming majority
giving its chief support to the gradualist policies
of the Popular Democrats led by Governor Luis
Munoz Marin-wants either statehood in our
Union or form Of independence involving close
ties with US.
Yet, even though thus lacking in popular
support, the Nationalist rebellion" serves as an
ugly reminder Of the fact that Puerto Rico Is
far from being place of contentment. Although
the United States-especially within the past
couple of decades-has done much to promote the
the people there, the situation is definitely not
good The primary reason for this is that the
land does not now have nearly enough resources
to support its inhabitants. In 1899, when the
island became our territory after the war with
Spain, the population amounted to less than
100000, but it has since more than doubled, and
by 1965-judging from present trends-it will
total at least 100000.
But Puerto Rico's entire land area is only
about 100000 acres half of which is considered
to be hardly fit for cultivation. AS result since
the economy is predominantly but not richly
agricultural (chiefy sugar cane and tobacco, and
since industrial development has moved slowly,
at least two-thirds of the constantly growing
population are at very low level Of living. To
meet this situation, some have suggested mass
emigration and the organization of militant
birth-control program. Generally speaking,
however, the people seem disinclined to the idea
of quitting the island, and since most of them
are Catholic in their faith, any effort to preach
~planned parenthood' to them would encounter
serious religious resistance
Actually, as Governor Munoz Marin has re-
peatedly declared, what this territorial possession
really needs above everything is not less popu-
lation but systematic efforts to promote better
use of the land and establish new industries.
Arguing persuasively that the island offers a
favorable laboratory for our Point Four" pro-
gram to develop the worlds backward areas, he
has cited the fact that there is great ceal OF
skilled and semi-skilled labor in Puerto Rico,
much potential hydroelectric power, and other
resources whose proper exploitation could bring
about balanced economy capable of providing
decent standard Of living for well over 100000
people.
Some progress has already been made along