New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-17
THE Puerto RLCAN APPEAL

The Commissioners sent hither by the Cham
Der Of Commerce of Puerto Rico are to be well
coined, and the cause they have come to plead
is TO be carefully considered according to its
merits. Those are matters of course. There
can be few If any more promising ways OF pro-
noting the welfare of our possessions and de-
Tendencies and of facilitating our own admin
istration of them than for the real representa-
tives Of the substantial interests of the islands
to lay their wishes, their, plans and their com
plants, whenever they have any, directly before
authoritative members of the United States
Government. Such a course is far better than
mere agitation and intrigue among themselves.
or than any amount of manifestoes and proc
lamatiOns fired into the long-suffering air and
Is far more likely to result in good. In the
present case the Commissioners have specific
errand. They have come to plead for the estab-
lishment Of absolute free trade between Puerto
Rico and the United States. That is practical
and legitimate matter Of desire. Whether it Is
to be granted to them is another thing There
is much to be said in favor of it from their
point of view. But there is much, also, to be
said against it from other points of view; and
it may be that other points of view will in the
end be deemed paramount to theirs.
That, however, is not the point of present
consideration, but may be left for mature Gov
ernmental judgment. What is at this moment
to be observed, and to be regretted, is that a
false note seems to have been struck in In
formally stating the case. The Commissioners
are reported to have said that they desire "the
adoption of the United States tariff laws in
Puerto Rico" and that they want Puerto Rico
ito be put on the same basis in regard to trade
''as are the present States and Territories of
1.-THE United States" If they did say that they
spoke injudicously, and expressed a desire for
that which certainly should never be granted.
That Is not to say that free trade should not be
granted. 1t is to say that if it be granted it is
TO be on other grounds than those stated. The
laws of the United States are not to be applied
to any place outside of the United States; and
Puerto Rico is outside of the United States, and
therefore they are not to be applied to it, A
law identical in terms and purport with one
of the United States might be made for Puerto
Rico. But it would be Puerto Rican and not
n United States law. There is an essential dis
tinction, with a difference, between the laws of
| the United States and the rules and regulations
made by Congress for the control of the outly-
ing property of the United States That dis
tinction should be recognized by Puerto Ricans
1t certainly should never for a moment be lost
sight of by officers and citizens of the United
States, not even in informal discussions
1t is not commendable either to sneak If mt
ting Puerto Rico ION the same basis as the ex-
listing States and Territories" Puerto Rico is
not on such basis, politically or legally and
never should be, at least within any period of
future time suitable for practical consideration
This country has taken possession of that island
and holds 1t as its property. 1t has not an
nexed 1t to this Union, and has no intention of
doing So The island Is not State II is not
Territory, In the sense that Arizona and New
considered as one, now or hereafter And the
sooner 1t realizes that fact and the more clearly
and constantly the people of the United States
keep that fact In mind, the better il will be for
all concerned. In that there is not a trace nor
hint Of unkindness toward the people of Puer-
to Rico It would, rather be unkind to encour-
age them In any other notion. Vain frettings
for and strivings toward Statehood in this
Union would not help. they would merely In
jure, the welfare Of the island
Whatever, then, be the appeal of the Puerto
Ricans, 1t should be based on Puerto Rlcan
grounds alone Laws should be asked because
they would be good for Puerto Rico, and not
because there are similar laws here. Puerto
Rico has no concern with the laws of the United
States. They are made by the United States
for the United States. Laws for Puerto Rico
Will be made expressly for Puerto Rico, In the
manner constltutionallF prescribed. 1t is to be
assumed that in making those laws all possible
regard will be paid TO the wishes and to the
desires OF the Puerto Ricans. Yet 1t Is entirely