Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-20
THE PETITION.

GCilGtdl
THE PETITION.
Following Is text OF thepetition:
The people of Porto Rico, of all
classes. represented by the Mayor OF
this city and by the Chamber OF Com
merce, in peaceful assembly convened.
call upon Governor General Davis re-
spectfully to direct his attention, and
through him the attention of Washing
ton. to the following most salient
points of the present critical condition
OF the island.
"Flrst-the CONSERVATION into which
the business community in general has
been thrown on account Of recent
cabled news from the United States.
setting forth the negative attitude of
the Senate as regards the tariff ques-
ton.
"second-The utter inability OF the
Island to hold out much longer under
existing conditions, as the Senate's
delay In coming to decision on the
tariff simply agErayates the almost
absolute state of penury throughout
the island.
"Thrd-Thc urgent necessity Of a
final settlement of the question as a
means of saving to their owners.
mostly men of small means, the sugar
and tobacco crops. which would pass
under the control OF SPECTATORS IL no
conclusion should soon be reached, this
being the time for planting new crops
and failure to act promptly being also
calculated to have most prejudicial re-
suits
Fourth-The distress and alarm that
are daily becoming more harrassing in
al branches OF trade, owing to the
virtual lack of fixed and definite
standard for transactions, and the
grave apDrehensions as to the future
now SO generally entertained by all
merchants.
Fitth-The absence of buyers for
products. which, with the loss of their
former markets as Il consequence of the
new rcEfme, are now Mt q practical
standstill
sixth-The enormous depreciation of
property. more especially on planta-
lions. and the ruin staring a majority
OF planters In the face as tho result
ot the natural unensincss which has
made itself felt among capitalists and
ioan institutions leading them to n
curtaiiment or to shut off entirely the
credit necessary in moving crops.
Seventh-The lack OF power, as we'll
as the absence of credit to contract n
loan for the relief OF most of the pres
ent necessities and the DEVELOPMENT of
resources.
Eighth-The need of undertakings of
q .pufolPc nature instead OF relief sun
pies. which. although necessary. tend
10 make Dauoers of the working
classes.
These statements. respectfully made
your petitioners respectfully request
the Governor General to bring To the
knowledge of the government at Wash
ington. trusting that n favorable so]u-
ton may speedily be found.
ANDRES CRosAs.
President Of the Chamber of Com
merce of San Juan.
IN. IGOZCUE.
Mayor of the City of San Juan"
DISTRESSING CONDITION OF THE
INHABITANTS.
washington, March 19.-Adtutant
General Corbin received a cable mes
sage today from General Davis, com
manding the Department of Porto
hico, saying that the condition of the
inhaoitants of Porto Rico is distressing
ana the suffering so general and wide
spread over the island that he will
require at least 500 tons OF food sun
-piies-A;eeifllsst -ttntH ftfrtiler--11uttce- in
proportion OF Al rice, 81 and 1T each
OIL bacon and Goldfish. Arrangements
are Deing made In the subsistence and
quartermaster-genera department to
meet this rcquisition as promptly and
regularly as possible. The TRANSPORT
burnside, which is scheduled TO leave
New York Cor San Juan on the DIST
instant, probably will take the first
consignment Of relief supplies, and sim
iiar shipments will be made each sue
ceeding week by other transports. The
burnside arrived at New York yester-
Day from Key West with a miscella-
neous cargo including the remains of
WE'VE soldiers, who lost their lives in
Cuba since the American military oc-
cupation. Eight of these bodies will
be brought to Washington for inter
ment in the cemetery at Arlington. The
others will be turned over to rcIa-
tives for interment in private Gene