Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-27
APPEAL FOR PORTO RICO
Memorial Advocating Establishment Of Ter
ritorial Government.
Argument of Lucus Amadeo, Chairma n
of the Delegation of Agriculturists
Recently Come From the Island.

from Porto Rico. has prepared pamphle
containing some considerations advocating
the immediate establishment Of terrific
rial government in Porto Rico and Of free
trade between that island and the United
States. A copy of this pamphlet was laid
upon the desks of senators and representa-
tives this morning
1t says in part:
Porto Rico is country whose history
shows such an amount of good sense and
prudence among its Inhabitants that this
alone is sufficient to induce competent mer
Of impartial judgment to consider it capa-
BILE of managing its own affairs.
Porto Rico is the only American country
that has reached, by pacific evolution, its
present degree of civilization, it having
borne. always with a dignified protest. the
oppressive rule which burdened it for SC
many years.
This fact gives evidence of control over
its own will and its faith in justice and in
the triumphant march of civilization.
The argument which is adduced against
self-government for Porto Rico Is that. in
that island, so per cent of the inhabitants
are unable to read and write. This argu-
ment will not stand against a scientific
analysis.
1.-The education that Is now given, even
In the most advanced communities of the
civilized world, is not sufficient guarantee
that such education is sufficient to form,
good citizens, who know their rights and
duties.
General history shows that there are
peoples today that are worse governed than
Porto Rico is, although a larger portion of
the population is able to read and write.
We trust more to the customs that are the
outgrowth of family teaching and of pro-
found peace, for the formation Of citizens
who are capable of following the good adj
vice and example of their directing ele-
,ay,tc hnp
the influences based upon talent, virtue and
honorably acquired fortune are respected.
Such virtues are possessed by the people of
Porto Rico. Their masses are exceedingly
d0cl1e. The considerations prevail there
which are necessary jim social life and no
serious antagonism has ever arisen among
the different classes. Porto Rico has en-
lightened controlling elements, which are
capable OF constituting a highly intelligent
government
1T would be ridiculous and unpardonabe
in view of the decision pronounced by his
tory, for the United States, the standard
bearer OF democracy and liberty, 10 i'm
pose upon that island a retrogresson in its
political life, when Spain, which is consid-
cred one of the most backward nations in
Its evolution, gave it a government of its
own.
Economical Considerations.
1T is an evident fact that Porto Rico has
suffered deeply as producer owing TO the
long transitional period in which it has
been kept by the American government,
and also owing TO the effects of the war
Its interests had suffered greatly for
two or three years. The contraction of
credit increased that suffering, and the de-
strucnve hurricane of August brought
about condition of ruin, death and dis
tress which 1t is impossible to describe.
BY reason of that state of transition
which the island is now passing
1t has been impossible for its government
10 adopt measures calculated to preserve
It's wealth. and to prevent death from caus-
ing raVages among the different classes of
its people. Thai situation still continues,
and no act of the American government,
except the shipment of food supplies to the
island, has tended to improve the prevailing
state of things.
Not only its political duty, but hu-
manitarian duty renders it obligatory upon.
the United States government to assist that
country by the most ample means at its
disposal. Greeting its efforts, in the first
place, to furnishing immediate succOr to the
country, with a view to checking misery
and reconstructing property. and. in the
second place. establishing free trade which
is the great channel through which the
means are to come that are required by the
island for its future development
In nOwise can American industries be
injured by the competition of Porto Rican
products. So far from such competition
proving prejudicial we see great benefits TO
omy that productions are exchanged for
productions: so that, the greater the ca
pacity of Porto Rico as a consumer the
greater will be the demand there for the
productions OF American industries.
Moral Considerations.
eff the Constitution did not require, as
we firmly believe that 1t does, the free adj
mission of Porto Rican productions into
the markets of the United States, and the
Congress ought, for reasons of equity and
justice, and, 1 take the liberty to add, for
considerations of high policy, to adopt a
decision In this case favorable to Porto
Rico, without troubling itself about the de-
cisions that it may be called upon to adopt
tomorrow in the case of the Philippine
archipelago and in that of other territories
which may decide to become annexed to-
the Union.
Porto Rico in its social composition, is
not different from the American family in
general while the Philippines and the Ha-
races which are on a much lower plane of
civilization than the people of Porto Rico
And If, as the general opinion has it, a bill
Is now under discussion that will give a
territorial government and free trade to the
Hawaiian Islands. for what reason of logic
or justice can that measure be denied to
Porto Rico?
THE reason that was announced to the
claring war against Spain was that 1t de-
sired to free Cuba and Porto Rico from an
oppressive domination that prevented their
moral and material Development. How can
that noble declaration now be reconciled
with the narrow measures, both political
and economical. that are in preparation for
Porto Rico?
I'VE trust that the honorable senators
and representatives will carefully consider
this.
There are supreme moments In the life
of peoples when private or class interests
must be silent before the voice of Justice
which is the practical end that should be
sought by governments.
Thus far nothing but misery and cruel
distress has been brought to Porto Rico by
its change of nationality. It's hopes of well
fare and freedom under the protection of
the stars and stripes have resulted in bit
ter disappointment. VIII the American
Congress assume, before this great country
and the entire world, the responsibility Of
having Incorporated people in order to
sacrifice 1t to class interests?
We trust to the sentiments of Justice Of
the American people, and we hope that the
generous disposition which we observe
among all those statesmen with whom we
sustain relations. whether the President of
the republic, senators or representatives.
will become practical reality that will put
stop to the ruin prevailing in Porto Rico
by giving 1t ample and immediate aid. with
territorial government and free trade"
AUCTION SALES OF REAL NSTaru a