The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-03-20
MASS MELTING JN PUERTO RICO.
10000 Persons Ga'her-A, Petition Re- gardinE the Islands Needs.

san Juan, F. R., Bafch l9-A large gathering of 10000 persons, headed by l the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. 1 gathered at the palace of the governor
 general to-day to submit a petition with reference to the needs of the is-
 land. The deputation selected to pre-
 sent it was received in the absence of General Davis, who was indisposed,
 by Lieutenant Colonel Hall, adjutant
 general on behalf of General Davis.
 Lieutenant Colonel Hall expressed
 pleasure at seeing so many people who
 were interested in a question of such importance and assured them that Puerto Rico would receive justice. An account of to-day's proceedings will be 1 transmitted to Washington. The crowd was orderly and dispersed with out confusion amid "vivas" for the United States and the governor gener- al The following Is the text of the pe- tition:
 "The people of Puerto Rico, of all classes, represented by the mayor of the city and by the Chamber of Com merce, in peaceful assembly convened, call upon Governor-General Davis re- spectfully to direct his attention, and through him the attention of Wash ington to the following most salient points of the present critical condition of the island.
 "First-The consternation into which the business community in general has been thrown on accout of recent cabled news from the United States setting forth the negative attitude of the senate as regards the tariff question.
 ''Second-The utter inability of the is- land to hold out much longer under ex- isting conditions, as the senate's delay in coming to decision on the tariff simply aggravates the almost absolute state of penury throughout the island
 Third-The urgent necessity of a final settlement of the question as a means of saving their owners, mostly men of considerable means, the sugar and to- bacco crops which would pass under the control of speculators if no conclusion should soon be reached, this being the time for planting new crops and a fail ure to act promptly being also calculat- ed to have most disastrous effect
 "Fourth-A suspension of business, owing largely to the absence of fixed duties.
 "Fifth-The absence of buyers for products, which with the loss of their former markets as a consequence of the new regime, are now at practical standstill.
 "Sixth-The enormous depreciation of more especially on the planta- tions, and the ruin staring q majority of planters in the face, as the result of the natural uneasiness which has made itself felt among capitalists and loan institutions, leading them to cur tail or to shut off entirely the credit | in moving crops.
 ''Seventh-The lack of power as well as the absence of credit, to contract a | loan for the relief of most of the pres ent necessities and the development of | resources
 "Iighth-The need of undertakings | of public nature instead of relief | supplies, which although necessary, tend to make paupers of the working | classes.
 "These statements, respectfully made, | your petitioners respectfully request | the governor general to bring to the of the government at Wash ngton, trusting that a favorable solu- ton may speedily be found.
 Andres Crosas, President of the Cham
 Der of Commerce, San Juan. M. Igozcue, Mayor of the City of San