Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1900-03-30
kcouLD SPAIN Do WORSE?

Nc0ULD SPAIN Do W0RSE7
Under Spanish rule Puerto Rico was
fairly prosperous. She had market
for her products in the Spanish domin-
ions. The Spanish encouraged sugar,
tobacco and coffee growing and discour-
aged manufactures. Il was one sided
prosperity, to be sure, and Puerto Rico
Jagged behind in the race of progress.
Nevertheless the island was so fertile
that its people were neither starved nor
: bankrupted. They were able 10 lead a
tolerable existence. The people did not
cry out in distress to the world, nor did
they appeal to this country for relief
from any keen suffering.
Nearly two years ago Puerto Rico
was cut loose from Spain and was
brought under American rule and to
,njoy the immunities and blessings of
y Y enlightment, to share with us zone
and one destiny" This was Puerto
Rico's future, as depicted to Puerto Ri
cans and American people by President
Mckinley, his representatives on the is
land and his spokesmen in the United
States. It seems easy and natural just
at the time, and was accepted as mat.
ter of course throughout the country
and the island.
Yet what do we find today? After
two years of American rule Puerto
Rico is still walled up by the Dingley
tariff against the prosperity that Eu'
ropean trade might bring her; walled
up by the Dingley tariff against the
prosperity that trade with the United
States might bring her, and menaced
by the United States with perpetual
barrier against free intercourse with
any people in the world. And with
what result? E. Gonzales, Puerto
Rican delegate, describes the condition
Of the island today as follows: .
.~ Never has the situation been so criti
f. Of the population many are dy
of hunger, while others are being
pauperized Ninety per cent of the
coffee plantations are in ruins. The
honor of the American people is al
stake.
A Mayaguz merchant writes:
We must reluctantly admit, sad as il
is to confess it, the majority of the
people who witnessed with enthusiasm
the annexation of the island to the
United States would welcome with
pleasure the renewal of the yoke Of
their former masters. II at this nom
ent q vote were taken the great maj
orty would vote for return to Spain
We are all going fast to ruin. A sugar
estate worth 100000, emorgaged for
y $40, 900, of which $4,000 is now due,
will have to be cold at public auction.
Since American occupation We hav;
gone back 100 years in progress and
civilization It all looks very bad, but
still have faith in the mighty will o1
the American people. Up to This time
we have received only sympathy an6
hope from the United States, but upoI
sympathy and hope we cannot live.
n The petition sent by leading business
men, manufacturers and planters Of
Auerto Rico to congress four days
go. T..
e 6> The fact cannot be disputed that our
people are in sore distress. The com.
merce is now hampered; the Investment
of capital is stopped; our farmers have
not the means to plant or gather thei1
crops; capital refuses to come here fo1
inves stment in either manufacturing OF
agricultural pursuits, for the reason
that the sovereignty of the United
States over this took our exports at 9
fair price, and enable us to live. W.
now ask as right in equity that fret
trade with the United States be
given us. We ask bread as a right
from our mother. Do not, we pray
give us stone.
The Official reports sent out from
Washington corroborate the foregoing
statements. Already the trade Of the
island is dwind]ing rapidly. Business
has been reduced to stagnation, ani
the working people have been turned
away from the farms and factories tt
beg for living. In January, for in
stance the customs duties collected or
the island where but S68, AGO, against
S119, OIL in The same month last year.
\ Never before has such spectacle
& prirposeful misgovernment and will
II cruelty been found in the history Of
: the American people. It is species Of
Weylerism enforced without the mill
tary excuse which Spain set up for
Weyler in Cuba 1t is as wanton as il
is cruel, because it is perpetrated agains
a people who are loyal to the United
States government, are tractable and
docile, and who seek only an oppertun
ity to earn their daily bread under the
equal rights and privileges heretofore
guaranteed by this government to al
under its flag.
And the worst of it all is that, repre-
sentatives Of the greatest Of American
parties-the party of Abraham Lincoln
the party now in control of all branche'
of the United States government-no
only are looking with Indifference or
this inquity, but are determined to con
,inue it indefinitely in spite OF the unit
ed protests of the American people.
Could Spain do worse?
(The above editorial is not the pro