The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-27
PORTO RICbN PROBLEMS
The Administration Said TO Have
Receded From It's Position.
Absolute Free Trade ImprBcticabIc
the Cahtnet-Neccssity for Avoiding
n Policy which Would Make the
Island Part of the Federal Union.

| a new turn was given to the discussion
regarding Legislation for the Island of Porto
Rico yesterday by the statement of
member OF the Cabinet that the Admins
tration would recede from its recommenda
tion for an absolute declaration OF free
trade between the United States and the
island. The reason given for this modiii-
cation of policy is that in the opinion OF
some members of Congre ess and of the Ad-
ministration, free-.Eade declaration
would furnish ground for the claim that
Porto Rico is really part of the United
States, on equal terms with other parts
of the national territory
This Cabinet officer said that it would
probably be necessary to, maintain tariff
schedule between the United States and
Porto Rico. but that the duties imposed on
Porto Rican goods should be merely nomi-
nal. The imposition of tariff taxes of
nominal amount would avoid, he said, the
embarrassment which would result from
having Porto Rico claimant for the same
laws and privileges as original territory of
the United States, and would for all prac-
tical purposes. amount to the same thing
as free trade
The question whether Porto Rico is a
part of the United States, under the Con-
stitution and laws of the country, has al
ready appeared in a legal case brought in
one of the States TO determine certain
questions regarding invoices of tobacco
The Administration. it was said. is ayerse
to any action which would aggravate the
controversy regarding the form OF govern
pent to be established in Porto Rico. Sen
ator Platt CT Connecticut. Senator Frye,
and ether members of the Senate are OF
the opinion that declaration of free trade
between the United States and any of the
newly acquired possessions would mean
virtual recognition of those possessions as
integral parts of the country and bound
TO be governed eventually parts of the
Federal Union.
Senator Platt's amendment. introduced in
the Senate last Wednesday. providing for a
reduction OF duties en- Porto Rican products
of % per cert. ana striking out the p-o-
vision of the Foraker bill allowing a Dele
gate from Porto Rico in Congress, is based
on the opposition Of the Senator and sew
eral of his colleagues -. any step which
would allow the island to be treated a
part of our territory within the United
States
President Mckinley recommended in his
annual message that free trade be estab- |
lished. and up TO the time the Conference
was Reid last Saturt.sy between members
of the House Ways al Means Gcpmitt-e
and Secretary Root, there was no evidence |
that the administrator would modify the |
view expressed in the message The agita-
ticn of the question. however. had led the /
Administration 10 believe that at least |
nominal tariff on Porto Rican imports \
should be maintained by the United S.ates. |
The hearings of the Committee on Gu |
ban Affairs on the Foraker bill proposing I
certain legislation for Ports Rico. includ- |
ing free trade with the ISLAND and the /
representation in Congress by territorial /
Delegate, were finished yesterday. Today /
the committee will begin the consideration /
of amendments. in executive session. and /
Senator Foraker has already decided on |
some changes in the measure as originally /
introduced in the Senate. The Administra |
tion's change OF base. as Indicated by |
the Cabinet officer who is the au- !
thority in the matter. is regarded ia |
vorable to a measure such as that pro- /
posed by Senator Platt. although providing /
for a much lower rate of duties and /
against the Foraker bill with its pro-
vision for free trade and a territorial |
Delegate.