Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-30
A SAN JUAN DELEGATION
Will Go Before the House Ways and Means
Committee.
Eject of the Delay TN Actioa on the
Industries of Porte
Rico.

A delegation from San Juan, Porto Rico,
arrived here yesterday. and tomorrow
morning will appear before the House COM
mittee on ways and means and argue in
favor of granting Porto Rico free trade in
its rela tons with the United States. This
delegation will also do all 1t can while here
to promote the project for giving Porto
Rico L territorial form of government,
which they believe is the only form Of gov
eminent for the island ut this time that
VIII cause 4 feeling of satisfaction among
the people.
The Delegation.
The delegation consists of Mr.. J. K. Lat
inner. who was American vice consul at
San Juan at the time the United States
forces took possession of the island. and
NJ Luies Sanches Morales. late mayor of
San Juan. They. came here direct from
san Juan. and are accompanied by DIR.
Julio H. Hanna of New York. who is a
native of Porto Rico, though a naturalized
American citizen. who has lived in this
country for many years. Mr.. Morales was
made mayor of San Juan under the gov
eminent instituted by Gen. Henry. Mr..
Lanmer was member of the advisory
board instituted by Gen. Davis. He is a
merchant of San Juan.
Disappointed at the Delay.
Mr.. Latimer speaks English with the
fluency Of an American. his father having
been an American. and he was educated
and has lived a number of years in this
country.
Speaking to 4 Star reporter on the needs
Of Porto Rico. Mr.. Iatimer said the people
Of that island had been greatly disappointed
at the delay that had occurred in giving
them free trade with the United States.
They had suffered greatly because of the
loss of their former markets in Spain and
Cuba, while annexation to the United
States had not opened up any new market
for them He said the products of Porto
Rico are chiefly coffee. tobacco and sugar.
but they are not sufficient in amount to
affect the market, so that their free entry
in this country can have no bearing on any
interest of the United States
Effect on Tobacco.
Before the war with Spain. said Mr..
Latimer, our wrapping leaf tobacco WAS
sold to Cuba at from GO-to 100 pesos a hun
dred pounds. Now We sell the same grade.
of tobacco for from 40 to 60 pesos q hun
dred. The change in price is wholly the
result of our political change which has
closed the Cuban market to US because of
the high duties imposed there on imported
leaf tobacco. whereas formerly We enjoyed
free trade with Cuba. Now Spain imposes
a tariff on our exports to that country
though formerly we had practically free
trade with that country. At the same
time We are met with the same duties on
our products at American ports that existed
previously.
Reduction In Coffee.
Before the America ans came to Porto
Rico our coffee sold for 81 pesos a hundred
pounds; now the same coffee sells for from
l. to II pesos Our cheap coffee has always
gone to Cuba; now the Cubans in view of
the duties levied against our products. can
get coffee cheaper from the United States
than \ part of this decline in the price
world prices of coffee. but very consider
able part of it is the direct result of the
duties now levied in Cuba. In the case OF
tobacco there was no fall in the price of
wrapping tobacco of the grade We exported
in any other part of the world 50 that the
entire decline IN the price WAS the result OF
our changed condition."
While the price of sugar has not decreas-
ed sine the American occupation of Porto
Rtco, Mr.. Latimer said that If American
gold Is made the standard of value III Porto
Rico without free trade with the United
States the effect on the sugar Industry will
be disastrous. Their labor will, demand
wages in gold Of the same number of units
in which they are paid at present In pesos
which are worth but 90 cents coInnared
with the American dollar
Want to he Americans in Fact
The people Of Porto Rico" said Mr..
Latimer, feel that they want to become a
part of the United States. not in name but
in fact and in privileges. and nothing less
will satisfy them. There is u very good
feeling on the island toward the United
States. though there is disappointment over
the length of time the present conditions
there have been allowed to continue