osal of the United States. The figures are naturally based
upon the conditions which prevailed under Spanish rule.

But, all for all, it may be said that Porto Rico, taking into
consideration its area, has been the most valuable of all Spain's
colonial possessions.

For some reason, which seems to be inscrutable, Spain has given the
inhabitants of Porto Rico far better treatment than she accorded to the
natives of Cuba. She dealt with the island more as if it were a Spanish
province than a colony to be bled to the fullest extent possible for the
financial benefit of Spanish officials and the mother country. Quite the
contrary has been the case in Cuba and the Philippines.

It may be stated that, as a matter of fact, Porto Rico has been, in a
political sense, a province of Spain for the past twenty years.

Spain has paid but little attention to internal improvements, but this
has been an advantage. For with her heavy hand relaxed, the people have
had a certain opportunity to develop such spirit of enterprise as they
possessed.

Porto Rico, in proportion to its size, is immensely wealthy. It is very
doubtful if the Philippines can equal it in richness, square foot for
square foot.

With the island in the possession of the United States and with the
abolishment of the differential duties in favor of the Spanish
government, its geographical position will undoubtedly cause most of its
commerce to flow to and from the ports of the United States.

There will be a market furnished for great quantities of food products,
textile fabrics, iron, steel and coal. From the island the United States
will chiefly receive coffee, tobacco and sugar. Indeed it may be said
that in the line of coffee cultivation, the greatest development of
Porto Rico may be expected in the near future.

Mr. John Beggs, whom we have quoted before, says that Porto Rico is one
of the finest pieces of property on the earth's surface. May it prove so
in the hands of the United States!

The soil of Porto Rico is of remarkable fertility. Its dominant
industries may be said to be agriculture and lumbering.

In the elevated regions, most of the vegetable productions of the
temperate zone can be grown.

More than five hundred varieties of trees can be found in the forests of
the island, many of which are very valuable, and the plains are full of
palms, oranges and other fruit-bearing trees. There are several very
interesting trees, especially a beautiful