The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
OPTICIANS.

by the government in 1885, to help in the
reorganization OF the educational system Of
the country. gfy9IeFst
Speaking of his mission to the limited
States he said: H+ Nt14
II shall endeavor to ascertain the inten-
tons of the American government as to the
future of Porto Rico. 1t seems that my ma
tive island is destined to become American
territory against the will of its people.
should like 10 see the American people in
the character of our teachers, friends and
advisers, in matters economical, political
and social, but not in the role of secondary
Spaniards, despots and tyrants-rulersfsnk like
those the American people are now sacr1fic-
SHOULD it be the choice of Porto Rico to
be annexed 20 the United Statess7a he con-
tinued, land should this become apparent
through regular plebiscite, then we, the
advocates of independence, woNld bow to
the will of the majority, legally expressed.
We are Republicans. The principles Of ma
and should the majority of my eompatriots
favor annexation TO the United States
should submit to their verdict. But
neither nor any other Porto Rican Re-
publican woald like to see the American
people violate their mission as great demo-
cratic nation by forcing Porto Rico to be-
come dependency of the United States, i'm
stead of helping to shake off the yoke
of its Spanish oppressors and then leave
it to build up its own independent govern
ment.
IF my country submits to an American
yoke, l shall bid 1t farewell for good and
all. have made the liberties of Porto
Rico and other Spansh-speaking countries
the cause of my life, and should my fellow
countrymen exchange one yoke for au-
other, l shall devote my energies tC the
same republican cause, but will remain the
voluntary exile which have been during
these thirty years.
Il shall go to washington as soon as
know something concerning the readiness
of the President and the other high func-
tionaries of your government to receive
me. To prepare the way for my coming
and to ascertain the feeling in the White
House with regard to my errand, DIR.
Henna, President of the Porto Rican JuntO
of this city, and myself have sent Secretary
l expect an answer in a day or two, and
meantime a meeting of all our people in
this city. will take place next Friday even
ing to give me an opportunity to be intro
duced to my compatriots of New York ana
to discuss the situation with them II had
an opportunity to speak with the Presi-
dent" Senior Hostos continued, Il might.
perhaps, Indicate a course worthy OF the
American people. We are all glad or the
expedition OF General Miles and think it
the Joint resolution of the washington Con-
gress for Porto Rico must be. placed side by
side with Cuba, and the emancipation OF the
one without the liberation of the other Is
virtually impossible. Spain must be driven
from the Western hemisphere. If you leave
Spain as near to Cuba as Porto. Rico IS,
Cuba Libre will be mith- go.
Senior HostoS was asked what he thought
of the strained relations between the Gu
bans and the Americans at Santiago. but he
begged to be excused from expressing an
~ love them BOTH" he said, with a be-
seeching gesture. THE subject is a very sad
one ] hope all misrepresentation will be
brushed away. / cannot discuss 1t.
Senior Hostos is well-known In South
America and also among the Republicans or
Spain as the author of several books advo-
eating ADVANCED ideas: He IS a graduate
of a Madrid law school, but does not prac-
tice law. preferring to earn his livelihood
with his pen and as a pedagogue