The Washington weekly post., 1900-03-20
ASK STABILITY, NOT RELIEF
Needs Of Porto RicanS Presented by
Petition at San Juan.
Distress and Alarm Daily Becoming More
Harassing for Want of a Fixed Pol
icy-UtterIy Unable 10 Hold
Ont Much Longer.

San Juan. Porto Rico. March ia large
gathering of 1900 people. headed by the
San Juan Chamber of Commerce assem-
hled at the palace of the governor gen.
eral to-day to submit a petition with ref
erence TO the needs Of the island. The
deputation selected TO present II was re-
ceived, in the absence of Gen. Davis, who
was indisposed by Lieut. Col Hall, ad-
jutant general. on behalf of Gen Davis.
Lieut. Col. Hall expressed pleasure at
seeing so many people who were inter-
esled in question of such Importance,
and assured them that Porto Rico would
receive justice. An account Of the pro-
ceedings viii be transmitted to Washing
ten.
The crowd Was orderly. and dispersed
without confusion amid "vivas' for the
United States and the governor general
Following is the text of the petition
THE people of Porto Rico. Of all class
es represented by the mayor of this city
and ty the chamber of commerce. in
peaceful assembly convened. call upon
Gov. Gen. Davis respectfully 10 direct his
attention, and through him the attention
OF Washington. to the following most
salient points of the present critical con-
dition of the island;
lFSl- lie CHARACTERIZATION IulO "HlEu
the business community in general has
been thrown on account OF recent cablsd
news from the United States, setting
forth the negative attitude of the Sen
ate as regards the tariff question.
Second The utter inability of the
island to hold out much longer under ex-
istng conditions, as the Senate's delay
in coming to decision on the tariff sim
ply aggravates the almost absolute state
of penury throughout the island.
Third. The urgent necessity of a fiua!
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. If conclusion is not soon
reached. this being the time for plant
ing new crops, and a failure to act
promptly being also calculated to have
most prejudicial results.
Fourth. The distress and alarm that
are daily becoming more harassing in all
branches of trade, owing To the virtual
lack of a fixed and definite standard for
| transactions, and the grave apprehensions
as to the future, now SO generally enter
tanned by all merchants.
Fifth. The absence of buyers for pro-
duets, which, with the loss of their former
markets, as d consequence of the new
] III.
SlXth-Ihe enormous depreciation of
property, more especially on plantations.
and the ruin staring a majority of the
! Planters in the face as theresult OF the un-
natural uneasiness which has madt. itself
felt among capitalists and loan institu-
tons. leading them 10 curtai or TO shut
OF entirely the credit necessary in moy-
ing crops.
''Seyenth-The lack of power as well as
The absence of credit to contract a loan
for the relief of most Of the present ne
cessities and the development of resour-
CeS
"Eghth-The need Of undertakings of
a public nature. instead of relief supplies
/ which, although necessary, tend to make
paupers of the working classes
These statements, respectfully made
your petitioners respectfully request the
governor general 10 bring to the know
ledge of the government at Washington.
trusting that 2 favorable solution may
speedily be found
ANDRES CROSAS.
president of the Chamber of Commerce.
of San Juan.
M. IGOZCUE,
"MaSOr of the CITY OF San Iuan