The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-02
EK'STATEH00D
 FOR PORTO RICO
PURPOSE OF THE DELEGATION.
 IN THIS COUNTRY.
Will Be Americanized-Dropping Spanish "senor" For "Mr."; Teaching Language in
 Schools.

Chicago Tribune.
 The visit to the United States of the Porto Rican delegation of businessmen, who spent yesterday in Chicago, has a far greater significance than has appear ed hitherto. Instead of coming to inspect the commercial methods of this country, and incidentally to go on a little Junket- ing trip to the Pan-American Exposition, pave the way for the admission of their island, first as an organized territory, then as State.
 The authority for this statement is Fed Porto Rican. the present commissioner from that island to the United States.
 The delegation arrived in Chicago in the morning, visited the Board of Trade and for St. Louis. Later visit will be paid to Washington, where an interview with President Roosevelt will be had.
 Drop Spanish "senor."
 Degetau, who refers to himself and his companions as Mister instead of Sc nor," and says he comes from Porto, v not Puerto" Rico was formerly one of the four deputies from Porto Rico in the Spanish Chamber at Madrid After the annexation he was elected commissioner to Washington by an overwhelming vote. His two competitors announced their withdrawal from the contest before cleo tion day.
 ''The delegation came here to get ac- quainted,' is his explanation Of the visit Americans think we have savages and Indians in Porto Rico-why, we have no more Indians than you have in Chicago. People ask me where the natives in the party are. I tell them that l am typi- cal native"
 MT. Degetau is about feet 10 inches tall and straight as an arrow. He has full black-gray beard. He has a sallow complexion and gray eyes. Like all the rest of the party he wore clothes similar @f yA1I 1Ad American business man. The impression he conveys in conversation Is that of a man possessed of an extraordinarily keen brain He speaks English fuently. though with an accent. He was educated abroad, and speaks German and French in addi- tion to English.
 We want admission to Statehood as soon as possible and I think that will be when America gets t0 know us. I have hopes it will come in few years. Per haps bill will be favorably acted on to admit us an organized territory next winter" said the commissioner.
 American Sentiment in Porto Rico.
 MT. Degetau said the American senti- mcnt in Porto Rico was almost unani- nous. The exceptions were indiVi luals, and not parties or factions. Under Amer ican rule the island is prospering. The cane crop has entirely recovered from the damage wrought by the great hur- ricane, and the coffee shrubs are recov- ering. Previous to the annexation Porto Rico owed Europe $25, 100000, but that deot has now been discharged without single bs nki uptcy.
 The use of the English language is spreading. Twelve of the, thirtyfive na- tive members of the Legislature speak English. The language is taught in the public schools, and is being quickly pick ed up by the children. Tn ten years" said Sanchez Morales. a member of the House of Delegates, English will be spoken in all parts of the island'
 Believes in Religious Freedom.
 Asked whether there was any religious trouble in Porto Rico similar to that in the Philippines, Mir. Degetau said: "Emphaticallv no. We have no church or clerical party. We have attained our majority and think Tor ourselves. The dis-establishment of the church was re- ceived with joy by nearly ever Porto of religious freedom I, for instance, am the son of a Protestant father and a Catholic mother. Such marriages are common in Porto Rico. There is much Christian free thinking, if the phrase is permissible
 The commissioner evidently believes that this country is destined to join to itself other Latin American peoples. He was asked whether the success of the Porto Rican annexation would not pave | the way for the assimilation of other nations of similar stock. He said: That is why we are so anxious to make this experiment a success. We feel as if we were going ahead on the road and holding up a lamp for our cousins to follow And I am most hopeful"