Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-12

Ricans recently sent to this city was made
up OF representatives of both parties as
natives of the island, in addition to an En-
glish subject and a Spanish Porto Rican,
VINO through sense Of patriotic obliga-
ton and honor, retains his allegiance to
the Spanish crown. The common end OF
all is to secure free trade with Porto Rico,
that her products may enter this country
without taxation. and that American sup.
plies may be secured in return free Of all
imposts. They united in an appeal to Con-
gress and the American people to whom
they referred brothers" that their is
land be admitted in the United States at
least upon a footing with Hawaii. They
pointed out in their appeal that the people
of Porto Rico are all civilized and Chris
tlans speaking a common language, while
races, many tongues and many phases of
religious belief, to say nothing of absolute
lnf1delism and unbelief
The Republican Leaders.
The republican party representatives in
the delegation are Luis Sanchez Morales
young man of marked ability and a rec
ognized leader of the people, who was. up
to the time of coming to the United States
in the interest of the Porto Rican measures
in Congress. mayor of the city Of San Juan
the capital and center Of population of the
Island and j. r. Latimer a business man
of high standing of Porto Rican birth and
American parentage. Mr.. Latimer has been
ana was recently reelected a councilman
in San Juan. While not identified with the
republican party of Porto Rico because of
their foreign allegiance, but working with
Messrs. Morales and Latfmer in unison and
direct affliaton, are Mr.. George Finlay,
an Englishman of great wealth and a resi-
dent Of Porto Rico for the last thirty-fiye
years. and M. Fernandez Juncos, a Span
lard by birth and still a loyal subject of
that country. The principles of the repub-
lican party are said to reflect the views and
ideas of the two latter gentlemen, although
their names are not used in absolute con-
nection with the party.
The Federalists.
DIR. AZel Ames represented the federal
party Of the island on the delegation, while
Mr.. Luce. a brother-in-law Of Senator
Lodge and a comparatively new resident
Of the island, represents several important
interests. and Mr.. Amadeo, Porto Rican
of prominence, is also in the city as a rep
resentative of the agricultural interests and
industries. Mr. Finlay and Mr.. Juncos are
delegates Of the chamber of commerce of
San Juan. Taken altogether, the delegation
is thoroughly representative one, although
it was not formed as a joint body, Its MEM
bers being allowed to follow their own
Ideas. Naturally they have worked pretty
well together and party differences have
had no part in their labors in Washington
The Porto Rican republican party in it's
address to the people has declared that it
is urgent now to start new party with
lie" IDEAS, lndt all tHc TcSluentS Oh the
country who wish may unite in the devel-
opment of the island under the protection
and principles of the American flag.
The principles of the republican party,
in brief, are as follows:
Definite and sincere annexation to the
United States.
An organized territory for Porto Rico as
the way to become in time a state Of the
federal Union.
Address to- the People.
Continuing, the address says:
1--WE are convinced that 1t would not be
for the benefit OF our country to be indie
pendent, on account tof Its small area and
on account of the bad political education
we have received. We do not feel satisfied
with the false advantage Of an Antille con-
federation, although it is true the old Span
ish Antilles have the same origin, the same
language, history and traditions. Cuba is
not yet organized. We could not find any
assistance toward perfection in San Do
mingo, as it Is rapidly retrograding under
her form of government
Porto Rico could not find in its surround
ings any examples for self-government or
of its local affairs: hence We seek the guar
antees of a powerful and Well-organiZed ma
ton that promises us the free exercise of
liberty. Porto Rico, today a territory and
later a state of the Union, will realize the
most perfect ideal of the Porto Rican peo-
Pile When we have effective local govern.
ment and direct intercourse with the states
Of the Union in national and other affairs
with the good influence which such a union
would bring our island, would be the means