The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-06
THE NEEDS OF PORTO RICO
The Views of Major Ames on Gov
eminent and Free Commerce.
The Delegation Calls mt the White
House to Present Memorial to
t"e President - New Dependency
Compared 4" the Mexican Acaufsi-
tiop - Three Things in the Way.

| The Porto Rican delegation had an au-
dience with the President yesterday after
noon by appointment. Henry X Carroll,
| Special Commissioner to Porto Rico was
with the party. whose mission to the White
| House was to present brief memorial and
to thank the President for his courtesies
extended TO the members of the delegation
| on several occasions.
The party was composed of Seniors Lucas
Almedeo. Enrique Gonzales. and Alfred
Soloman. representing the agricultural in
terests OF the island; George J. Finlay and
Fernandez Juncos. of the San Juan Cham
Der of Commerce; Major Azel Ames. Sani-
Larenaga, representing the Federal party
of the island, and Ramon Latimer, and
Sanches Morales, members Of the Repub-
lican party
Senior Almedeo addressed the President
through the interpreter. Senior Soloman
Mr.. Finlay spoke in behalf OF the CONNER
ciai interests of Porto Rico. and Major
Ames said few words as representing the
political parties. As to the purport of the
hit pitStHttb. tit VI Niie
delegation were silent
In speaking of the work of the delega-
tion in Washington. Major Ames said that
the members. though representing various
interests were a unit in asking Territorial
government and free commerce for Porto
Rico. lie said that the Porto Ricans had
been well received and that the people OF
the United States including members of
Congress. the Cabinet. and President Nc
Kinley. seemed animated with a desire to
treat the new dependency fairly. The only
thing. Major Ames went on TO say that
has stood in the way of the complete full
hilment of their hopes was the fear OF the
politicians that some sort of capital might
be made out OF their acts.
II Presidential election were not pend
ing this year, Major Ames ventured the
opinion that opposition to Territorial
government or to free commerce would
have developed. But for that" he said
I'VE could have gone home to our people
before now with the announcement that
our mission to the United States had been
a success You know ms well as | that II
these Questions could be submitted to
popular vote in the United States tomor-
row, the result would be an Overwhelming
majority for the very plan we have been
advocating
We are expecting that Porto Rico will
be granted Territorial government and free
commerce by Congress. | cannot speak
fully of all the reasons which prompt me
to that belief. but its coming. In the first
place it is right, and so recognized by the
majority of the American people. 1t was
promised us in the proclamation of Cen
era Miles when the government of the
island was handed over to him. 1t has |
been taken for granted and good as
promised to us in subsequent communica-
tions with officials OF the Administration.
II was the basis of Secretary Roots scheme !
of government set forth in his depart |
mental report. And. finally, President Nc
Kinley held cut to the people of Porto |
Rico Territorial government and free COM
merce in his message to Congress.
Can the United States do less for Porto
Rico than il did for the population re-
ceived through the acquisition of territory
following the war with Mexico? Here were
sun worsbipers. people that spoke a Ian
guage which could not be interpreted In I
Washington. and yet they were granted
Territorial government and free commerce
Their illiteracy was complete. while ours |
is only partial They we're savage commu-
mites. while ours is au old and well-deyel- !
oped civilization. They had no govern
ment no written law, and no courts of JUS |
tice. while we had all three. and twenty
seats in the Spanish Cortes in Madrid. We |
claim the right to much as the United
States gave unquestioned to Texas and |
New Mexico
There are three things which have
operated against us in securing our rights. !
aud which still sway the minds of cd
many men at the Capital
"One of them Is the fear that the grant
ing of free commerce to Porto Rico won d /
81, b
boon to Hawaii and the Philippines. The
, oncession to merchant ships for ten years /
uraftily insisted upon by the Spaniards at
Paris. is now regarded as blunder. !
Those responsible for that mistake are now
hedging. and in order that they may not !
become chargeable with its effects they |
are willing 10 reserve free commerce from |
Porto Rico. lest 1t be taken as a preee-
dent in the Philippines, in which event |
the mistake would signally appear
Another that has worked against us IS
the fear on the part of politicians that
conditions may arise out of which capital |
could be made in the approaching Presi- |
Dental campaign, They are afraid to act |
lest they shall do the wrong thing.
The third consideration that has |
blocked cur way is the uncertainty that |
exists as 10 the meaning of the words |
United States as applicable to outlying |
territory. Until the Supreme Court has
passed a decision on this point, members |
of Congress fear that troublesome COM
plications may follow their acts.
But beyond these political and official
objections there is a powerful undercur-
rent of popular sympathy with the claims
of Porto Rico. and We are expecting that
it will override all opposition at last and |
give US what we ask
THE COLONY AT GUAM.