Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-07-05
FOURTH
Porto Rico Signalizes the Day by
Adopting a Free Trade
Measure,
BESIDES HAVING A VERY BIG TIME
Taft Takes Control in the Philippines
on the Same Historical Day
Other Celebrations.

joint session lasting three hours, the
Porto Clean assembly yesterday unani-
mOusly passed the free trade resolu-
tiOn. The assembly hall was crowded
with people and cheers greeted the an
nOuncement that Governor Allen had
signed the resolution. The free trade
resolution begins with a preamble in
which reference is made to section 3
of the Foraker law. Governor Allen
personally read a message before the
assembly. in which he eXhaustively
reviewed the financial situation of the
island. and showed that Porto Rico
possessed abundant revenues for its
needs without drawing upon customs
receipts. Hollander's report on the
Islands resources from which revenue
could be derived was considered suf-
ficiently definite TO warrant the joint
resolution in favor of free trade. This
action of the assembly is considered to
be the most important taken by il
since the Inauguration of Governor
Allen.
Other Celebrations of the Fourth.
With the adoption and signing OF
this free trade resolution the official
celebration of the Fourth began. But
outside the legislative chamber the day
was celebrated with great and unpre
cedented enthusiasm. under the man.
agement Of Governor Aliens commit
tee. Both the political parties assisted
In the ceremonies. for which Governor
Allen appropriated $500. and the citi-
Zens donated the remainder. The city
was crowded. The celebration opened
with big public ball Wednesday even
ing. Governor Allen and Mrs. Allen |
leading the grand march. Never he |
fore had there been such n display of |
colOrs in San Juan. y majority OF
the houses were decorated with fla gs
and bunting. and fireworks in profu- |
sion were set off. In 1900 the Fourth |
was not celebrated.
National salute to Begin.
At a. III. Yesterday Il salute OF |
twenty-One guns was fired. At q
o'clock the parade started There !
Were over 1000 persons in line. in |
Guiding 300 school children and SEQ |
native troops. 1de governor. the coun- |
cillors. the members of the assembly. !
members of the G.. \. T.. Il regimental /
band. sailors from the Yankton. ma
rines. police. heads of departments. |
court officials. clerks and visiting dele
cations from Bayamon, Arecibo. Co
amo. Cayey. Camuy. Hatillo and 9th
err places. with bands. The parade was
reviewed by the governor and the line |
of march was thrOnged with the peo-
pie OF the city.
Uncle sam Was Quite at Home.
The national salute was fired again |
at noon. During the afternoon there
was base bail game bstween United |
States and a Porto RIcan nine, and !
athletic contests. including foot. boat
and swimming races. for cash prizes.
At p. III. there was Il mass meeting
in the theater where the school chill
dren sang national airs in English,
after which addresses were made and
the Declaration of Independence was
read. At 6 p. m. Governor Allen held
n public reception Mt the palace.
There was an Illuminated boat parade
last evening and n great display %
fireworks. Telegrams from other
towns on the island report the patri-
otic observance of the day. excepting
Ponce. which has done nothing be-
cause of lack of funds.