Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1898 — MAKING YOUR FORTUNE IN OUR NEW COLONIES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MAKING YOUR FORTUNE IN OUR NEW COLONIES.

THE Industrial prospects of new territory which recent events have brought in close relation with the United States—such as Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippines—are attracting great attention In this country art the present time. Energetic and enterprising young American clerks, as well as those poorly employed or not employed at all, are scanning the outlook with considerable practical anticipation. The field is worth studying. Porto Rico leads foremost on the list as opening the greatest inducements, because the Inhabitants of that beautiful Island desire to become Americanized as soon as possible. The extinction of Spanish rule means the rapid encouragement of American institutions and the general use of the English language. Outside of the few hundred French and Spaniards who control the of the island, every one of the million inhabitants is eager to learn the English language, and when he catches a word or phrase he memorizes It and repeats it promptly to a circle of admiring friends. The result is that the principal stores, hotels and business houses now have a sign reading, “English spoken here,” and Interpreters aro employed art a high salary. In fact, business men have been willing to pay almost any price for an American clerk or salesman. The demand is so abnormal, however, that a reaction is certain to come. The 'prospective clerk, therefore, should jtudy and analyze the situation before he makes a move. •It is estimated that $l5O would be liunple for a young man of modest (pastes to give his talents a fair show in iporto Rico, leaving enough money for i|he return trip, in case he found Ponce i>r Mayaguez not to his liking. The ifates to San Juan and those towns are UGo first class, $35 second class. The .ponsuls are obliging; board relatively ipheap; a room costs $lO a month and 'hoard about 40 cents per day. American money doubles the minute the visitor arrives in Porto Rico; that is, the pate of exchange gives $2 Porto Rican money for every American dollar. With x basic knowledge of Latin, an observant American can soon pick up Spanish. The natural wealth is there, and the Americans seem the chosen ones to realize on it. The “get-rlch-quick” idea will vanish after a few Weeks behind a counter In Porto Rico, however. It is work, patience and economy that will win the palm there as everywhere else. As to the Philippines, it has been stated that Manila Is hotter than tho Klondike. Getting there Is more comfortable, and health Is offered to the man without health in addition. If a young,man starts out with an appointment from a. bouse ready to do business In the far East, or even with a ■ simple proper Indorsement, he can do ! well. New York traders, especially those doing business in hemp, tobacco and sugar, are looking for a tremendous development of trade with the Philippines, and say that the opportunity of a lifetime is now presenting itself to young men of integrity and push. There will now be many opportunities in industries that Spain has always frowned upon. The main thing for the prospective tourist to consider is the Initial expense. It costs about S4OO to reach Manila. The best route Is from San Francisco to Hong Kong via Yokohama. The average hotel tariff at Manila Is $2 a day. Hawaii can be reached In twelve days from New York, tho trip from San Franclkco costing $75 on steamers, half as much on sailing vessels. Clerks it Honolulu earn ns high as $125 per month, bookkeepers $l5O, mechanics up

to $4 per day. Engineers list at SIOO, conductors S9O, laborers $1 per day. Agriculturist are, however, most In demand. The market for ordinary labor is overstocked, but men with experience in managing plantations earn as high as $3,000 a year, while overseers get up to $75 per month. The small farmer is offered superior inducements. Coffee is now the most promising crop, and from a seventy-five acre plantation —after the fourth year—a return of SIO,OOO may be counted on. It is useless, however, to enter into this coffee planting without enough funds to carry the planter till the land yields development Applicants for land must be citizens by birth or naturalization, and pay a fee of $2 on application, and $5 on the isuance of a lease. They can take up from eight to sixty acres of land, must build a dwelling house, and receive a lease for 999 years, or on appraised value can purchase the freehold. The soil is loose and porous, the climate ideal. All kinds of vegetation can be raised, besides berries, which grow the whole year around. Rlcq, limes* oranges and pineapples grow freely. The banana trade is a paying feature. In fact, the enterprising, painstaking agriculturist can hardly miss’ it Ini Hawaii.