Show I 1 PORTO RICO the supposition now is viat that colonel torreys Torr Tor eyB reys regiment after having reported to general fitzhugh lee at jacksonville Jackg oriville pla fla win will be ordered to porto rico the nm news of at the intended move enove is said to have been received with much gratification among the boys porto rico from all accounts seems to be a desirable place to go to the island has an abundance of fertile soil and is well supplied with woods and water other islands tn n the same group are almost destitute of springs and the people depend on water collected att r the rainy season while porto forto rico has not less leas than seventeen streams in the mountains and crossing the valleys on mi their way to the sea of them are navigable for smaller vessels a considerable distance there are also several al lakes the country is almost entirely tree free from snakes and other venomous reptiles so the natives do not hesitate to sleep in the forests porto rico to is much smaller in ln sice size than cubs cuba but she sha is at present much more prosperous than her sister colony it Is only since the beginning of the present century that spain has paid any attention to this possession before chast time the place was considered si important only as a watering station for the spanish ships ps and aad it was used as a sort of spanish siberia th the rich mines of mexico and abid peru occupied the attention of the home government em ern ment since 1820 how everi the mand attracted the notice of her european rulers hosts host of greedy adventurers v t and office holders flocked to its cottles in search of fortunes and from that time on the misrule inaugurated resulted in political risings as ait in other spanish colonies porto rico rl under a free is destined to become became a great commercial center her oreo graphical position is favorable there are abundant abunda vt harbors although these arv are sald said to be dangerous to enter at a certain time of if the year owing to ha the wind which causes the sea to break with great violence this is a disadvantage but one which skilful navigators can com with about a quarter of a century ago go germany germ any was about to seize belze porto rico under the guise of purchase the government gove manent of that empire was looking out for naval and coaling stations in this hemisphere and found the island very desirable but spain refused to part with her possession although for a time it was seriously considered in madrid whether the transfer would not be a suitable retaliation for the virginius affair inasmuch as it was supposed that the monroe doctrine would involve the united states in a war with germany as won soon as the latter should make an attempt to occupy the island prudence finally prevailed and the contemplated transfer did not take place american Amer ioan diplomacy carried the day at that time there will undoubtedly be some serious work to do in porto rico tor for the american army of liberation the iu sur gents there as elsewhere in the spanish colonies cannot be relied on for any heavy work at ast the outset they are not well disciplined and but poorly equipped but once the army lands the reduction of the spanish strongholds strong holds can only be a question of a brief time our soldiers will find in many any friends and at ait is important they will not be required to nghi the vari various ozis fever bacilli that are lurking in the muddy chiban harbors victory honor and glory are awaiting them and it may be depended upon that the utah boys in the porto army ot of invasion will render a good account of themselves |