The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-01

ago. AS result many people began to
drift In from the country districts to the
larger towns where some rations were
distributed. On the 18th. as already re-
| ported, more than sixty women arrived in
| the city from Narinjito, twenty miles
away. to present a petition to the governor
general Such an event as this was un-
known under the Spanish regime Then our
! planters had a market for their sugar.
their coffee. their tobacco. The same coffee
heretofore sold at q price three times that
of Brazilian coffee in Spain and France,
but these markets arc now barred
The people here say: Let the tariff be
settled. either free trade bill or a IS per
cent. bill or "A p per cent. bill and the feel
ing of uncertainty will be raised. Trade
VIII be revived. The banks will advance to
the planters. the planters will employ the
starving, and Porto Rico will BOOM
On the 18th inst. the Chamber OF Com
merce held special meeting at which II
was decided to call mass meeting for
Monday. March 10. and to present a petit
ton TO General Davis beseeching him TO do
all in his power to influence legislation in
Congress for Porto Rico. The merchants
demand an immediate settlement Of the
tarin question one way or the other. Many
say they are on the brink of failure. They
are afraid to order goods as they don't
know which way the congressional breeze
Will blow on the tariff question. They can
rot relieve the planters for the same rea-
son. They say they will be satisfied and
willingly accept any measure Congress
may pass as long as the question is settled
The mass meeting was held March 10, and
one thousand people assembled at the
plaza, an orderly, quiet crowd. No mani
festation or disturbance of any sort was
attempted Headed by Major Ejosene and
President Crosos. of the Chamber of Com
merce. and six members or the body, they
submitted a written statement to Governor
General Davis. setting forth the critical
conditions under which the island Is strug-
CLING. They were told they had the sin
cerest sympathy of General Davis, and his
hopes that an immediate settlement would
be made. The crowd had remained quietly
In 'front.' OF the palace, and when the pres
ident Was leaving the building he called the
people around him and proposed three
cheers for the United States and General
Davis. The crowd responded Justify. ''Viva
Davis
Throughout the day and during the fol-
lowing days kilograms reporting similar
proceedings I'm other towns began to accum-
ulate on the governor generals desk. Fol-
lowing is copy of the call for the mass
meeting:
ITO the people of Porto Rico, commercial
and Industrial: The situation through which
this country is passing cannot be sustained;
any delay In giving solution to the prob
lens augments anguish and desperation.
which will embrace all those nearest to
necessity and a regular life. To think that
IL is possible that the national Senate may
close without agreement definitely to open
markets for our produce and acknowledge
the personality OF all Porto Ricans. placing
the island i'm a condition to borrow money.
which would save the agriculture and the
existence of the municipalities. is horrible
IN such resolution is delayed all the
planters will have to give away their pro-
duction and work for the benefit of the
trust speculation. Business and plantations
I'm all the island will not have the value
they should have if there the hope of
a convenient market which would guaran-
tee some profit TO the producers.
The people of Porto Rico ask not aims.
The markets In which they sold their prod
uce were shut off i'm consequence of the
change of dominion; yet, Notwithstanding
the time transpired. they have never been
given the means of compenSating for that
injury. BY reason Of the war and the
cyclone ruin may be seen everywhere: all
credit has been retired. business cannot
develop workmen are without work and
their families are without bread. We there
fore appeal to all classes and invite them
that they may come 20 the principal square.
with view to the organization of a quiet
demonstration, worthy and orderly, to APP
peal to General Davis.
For the past ten days hardly day has
passed without a visit of delegation of
country people begging for work or rations.
More supplies are coming. The transport
Fitzpatrick arrived yesterday with more
than five hundred tons. But il is not
rations that the people want; il is work.