Evening star., 1902-02-15
PORTO RIeo's HISTORY
ADDRlss BY 1EsIDENT CokM1s-
sroAER DEoETAU.
Early Firth Of It's Political Institutions
Treatment by Spain De-
;, u Tended.

DIR. Federico Dsgetau, resident commission
er from Porto Rico, delivered lecture at
the school of comparative Jurisprudence ana
diplomacy OF Columbian University yester-
day afternoon on the political status Oh
the island which he represents After
dwelling briefly on the discovery OK Porto
Rico In 1893 by Columbus. DR.. Degetau
stated that when Ponce de Leon reached IL
| in 1872 on his quest for eternal youth he
found fully organized government. with
archbishop, governor. schools and hospltais
thus early does it date the birth OF us
political institutions. Long Defore tne
Mayf1ower landed on the bleak coast OF
New England the Indians had disappeared
from the isle of Porto Rices so that many
Americans today who go thither In the con.
fident expectation Of meeting numbers OF
the aboriginal inhabitants are dlsappoint-
ed. The historian who stated that the his
tory of Porto Rico Is uninterestfng was IN
error. DR.. Degetau said. and he recounted
the great number of sanguinary connicts
which have occurred on it's shores or on It's
seacoast.
or unjustly treated by the government OF
Spain, DR.. Degetau continued, Is amply
demonstrated by the royal order or 1o9S.
which granted to inhabitants of the island
the same privileges in it's government, ana
the right to hold the same offices, as the
natives of Castillo and many other similar
orders and proclamations down to late
date In this century. Many constitutions
were promulgated guaranteeing to the peo-
pie the possession of civil and political lid
critics. but from 1897 to 1868 the island went
through dark period Of it's history, all
of the privileges of the municipalities being
taken away. Many of its citizens were
seized and shot down without due process
of law, and the military governor under
whom these measures were taken was
merely condemned to be unable to act as
governor when tried
of such wholesale murders on his return
to Spain. In 1873 the people obtained the
total abolition Of slavery in the island af-
ter long and earnest agitation therefor, and
in 1897 secured passage Of a law by the
Spanish cortes granting universal suffrage.
The island was not a colony, but prac-
ucaliy province of Spain, with Its own
legislature, treasurer and complete indicia
Of government; also sixteen representatives
In the national cortes. DR.. Degetau stated.
after the exposition of the old government
OF Porto Rico, that such political institu-
tions were. In his opinion. more solid and
permanent In their character than any
other that could possibly be devised, and
expressed the hope that they might be re-
stored under the tutelage of the United
States. A curious provision of the govern
ment was that the power of the governor
arbitrary. but subject to the approval or
disapproval of the secretary Of state. who
was often a native inhabitant.
DR.. Degetau concluded with the state
ment that this liberal government Of Porto
Rico was only granted because of the de-
sires and clamorings of the people. and that
the latter were educated in their opinions
of self government through their proximity
to the United States.
He then read with approval the proclama-
ton of General Miles. to the effect that the
forty-five states of the Union. represented
by the blue stars in our American flag,
guaranteed to them forever the inestimable
boons Of liberty and self-government. and
gave voice to the heartfelt gratitude of his
countrymen for these words and the strong
measure of truth underlying them.