The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-05
ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATION OF
THE NATIONS HOLIDAY BY
THE ISLANDERS
BIG PARADE AT SAN JUAN
With Regulation Programme of Ball
Game, Athletic Sports, Speeches
and Reading of DecIara-
ton of Independence.
DEMAND FOR FREE TRADE

SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO, July A.
The Fourth of July was celebrated with
great and unprecedented enthusiasm here
today, under the management of Gov.
Aliens committee Both the political par
ties assisted in the ceremonies, for which
Gov. Allen appropriated $500 and the ciui-
zens donated the remainder The eity
was crowded.
The celebration opened with big pub
lie ball yesterday evening, Gov. Allen
and Mrs. Allen leading the grand march
Never before had there been such dis
play Of colors in San Juan. A majority
of the houses were decorated with flags
and bunting, and fireworks in profusiou
were set off. In 1900 the Fourth was not
celebrated.
At o'clock this morning a salute OF
twenty one guns was fired At o'clock
the parade started. There were over 4,0O0
persons in line, including $500 school chill
dren and 300 native troops, the governor
the councillors, the members of the as
sembly, members of the G.. A. r., regi-
mental band, sailors from the Yankton,
marines, police heads of departments,
court officials, clerks and visiting delega-
tions from Bayamon, Arecibo, Coamo,
Cayey, Camuy. Hatillo and other places,
with bands. The parade was reviewed
by the governor and the line OF march
was thronged with. the people of the city.
LEGISLATURE MEETS.
At 10 o'clock the legislature met for
preliminary discussion of the matter Of
free t,ade between Porto Rico and the
United States. The national salute was
nred at noon. During the afternoon there
was baseball game between an Amer
lean and a Porto Rican nine and athletic
contests including, foot. boat and SWIM
ming races for cash prizes At o'clock
there was mass meeting In the theater,
where the school children sang national
airs in English, after which addresses
were made and the Declaration Of Inde.
pendence was read. At o'clock Glow.
Allen held public reception at the pal
ace.
There will be an Illuminated boat pa
rade this evening and a great display
of fireworks
Telegrams from other towns on the ISL
ana report the patriotic observance of
the day excepting Ponce, which has dono
nothing because of the lack of funds.
ISLANDERS DEMAND FREE TRADE.
In a joint session lasting three hours
the Porto Rican assembly today unani-
mously passed the free trade resolution.
The assembly hall was crowded with
spectators and cheers greeted the an
the resolution.
The free trade resolutions began with
preamble in which reference is made
TO section 3 of the Foraker law The
resolution then continues:
THE Porto Rican assembly, In extra
session and acting pursuant to the in
structions Of congress- does hereby notify
the president of the United States that
by virtue Of the Hollander act and other
acts 1t has enacted and put into opera
tlon a system Of local taxation to meet
the necessities of insular government
and 1t hereby directs that a copy of this
Joint resolution be presented to the presi-
dent Of the United States and it requests
that Gov. Allen deliver the resolution in
question to President Mckinley, to the
end that the proclamation may be maze
by him, and If it shall seem wise and
proper to the president of the United
States the assembly requests that ms
proclamation be issued July 25, as that
day is being established q legal Porto
Rican holiday to commemorate the am
niversary of the coming of the American
flag"
Gov. Allen personally read a messaeo
before the assembly in which he ex-
haustively reviewed the financial situa.
ton of the island and showed that
Porto Rico possessed abundant revenues
for it's needs without drawing upon Gus
toms receiQts.
Mr.. Hollanders report upon the
islands resources from which revenue
could be derived was considered slft1
ciently definite to warrant the Joint reso
luton in favor Of free trade. The reso-
luton was introduced to the house by
Senor Morales Mr.. Hollander, in a long |
speech, reviewed the workings of the
new tax law. He said:
Present conditions make this Joint
resolution possible and the insular as
sembly can henceforth dispense with the
revenues accruing from Porto Rican Gus
TOMS"
Several other lengthy speeches were
made. The resolution passed at 12:45 ana
was signed by Gov. Allen.
Today's action of the assembly is con-
sidered to be the most important taken
by it since the Inauguration of Gov.
Allen