Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-04-20
A PATHETIC APPEAL.
Can Anything be More Impressive than Thi,
Pen Picture7

James Creslman In s. F. Examiner.
Now that the Administration has
had its way, and the letters are forged
for the limbs Of our our Porto Rican
wards, it may be we'll to ponder upon
what mighty thing is for them. and
how closely it affects life and death
on the unhappy island.
looked to-day March 19l on the
most sorrowful sight ever seen on
American soil. Vast multitudes OF
merchants, bankers, planters and Ia.
borers, headed by the Mayor of San
Juan and the president of the Cham
ber of Commerce, walked in deathlike
silence, like a great funeral procession,
to the palace to ask the American
Government not to make the Ameri.
can flag the symbol of oppression in
American territory. Nothing like
this solemn spectacle has been seen
since the colonies revolted against
King George.
When they arrived at the palace
the crowd waited in the street silen tly,
while the committee, headed by the
Mayor and Mr.. Crosas, president oil
the Chamber of Commerce, entered
General Davis, being sick, the deputa.
ton was received by Adjutant- General
Hill and Chief Surgeon Hall. The
committee handed Hall their petition.
awe speak in the name of the busi.
ness men and the agriculturists OF the
whole island regardless OF property"
said Mr.. Crosas. at is matter oil
life and death to us. We want de.
cision now. We cannot wait. Delay
means death, ruin"
Surgeon Hall read the petition and
said: "The recommendations in this
petition are in line with the sugges.
tions General Davis has made to the
President of the United States again
and again. General Davis will imme.
diately cable the petition to the Secre-
tary of War and will do everything in
his power TO aid you."
Adjutant-General Hill said: 81
can inform you that the Secretary oil
War has authorized that million
dollars be spent Immediately for the
relief of the island. All this will be
used 10 making roads. Within six
weeks we expect to have $4,000 labor.
ers employed on public works. Mean
while, we will continue to give food to
prevent starvation"
"That is good, but we are sorry
that the people must receive the bread
OF charity" said Mr.. Crosas.
"What would you have at this mo-
mentf" asked Hill.
"Free trade" answered Crosas, "is
the condition of stability under
which commerce and industry can re-
vive. With free trade business will be
resumed by merchants; bankers will
have money to lend to planters, who
can employ labor"
Suppose Congress makes the tariff
10 per cent?" suggested Hill.
"Then for Gods sake let US know
our fate at once. Make it Is, 20, 25
per cent. We cannot help ourselves.
But act quickly"
The committee returned to the
street and announced the answer, and
the multitude gave three cheers for
the United States and for General
Davis.
Meetings of merchants were held
to day in all cities and towns OF Por-
to Rico. kilograms are pouring into
the palace. Meanwhile special
prayers are offered in all the churches.
This morning, for hours, / watched
American men with tears in their
eyes distributing relief to hundreds of
white, trembling widows and orphans.
Hundreds of women in the mountains
are almost naked. Long live imperi-
alism!