Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-22
Porto Rico Tires of Con-
troll by the United
States.
ACTION IN ASSEMBLY
Gen. Jinninez Loses a
Fight at Santo
Domingo.

San Juan. +. r., Feb. 22-POrto
Rico. weary of the yoke Of Uncle Sam,
has taken a bold step for statehood or
independence and decided on n de-
mand to the United States which will
take the form of an ultimatun In
the federal assembly. after u debate
that was exciting at all times and rev.
Olutionary in frequent outbreaks. the
federal assembly adopted by an over
whelminG majority a resolution of de-
fiance to the United States government
as it at present controls Porto Ricun
affairs.
Cite Case of Cuba.
Most of the speeches urged an en-
phatic demand for indeendence. and
the case of Cuba was cited in COM
TsariSon 10 show what advanta ges were
to he gained by cutting aloof from
the Washington government. Some or
the more conservative members. how
ever, pointed out the improbability or
the United States consenting TO loss
of the island. and it was urged that
the original demand he modified so as
to ask for statehood. with independence
an alternative.
As finally adopted thedemand de-
cIares the Interests of the people de-
nand II revolution from the existing
United States administration and in
sists on immediate statehood, or. if that
is not granted, Independence. The dec
lara ton was adopted amid loud hur-
Tahs by Il vote of co to 15.
Government Wins.
Washington, Feb. 22.-The state de-
partment has received II Cablegram
from Minister Powell dated at san
Domingo, Feb. III, saying: ~ de
cisive battle has been fought be-
tween the government forces and the
insurgents 1t extended over two days
and resulted in a victory for the gov
ernmen5 The siege has been raised
and the insurgents are in retreat
Insurgents Fire on "A steamer.
Washington. Feb. 22.-A cable from
San Domingo. dated Feb. II. says:
The Clyde line steamer New York
arrived here this morning. conveyed b.
the United States cruiser Newark, and
Minister Powell instructed the captain
of the vesscs TO discharge his cargo
at the wharf. An agreement had been
made by Minister Powell and Comman-
government that neither party should
fire while the New York was at The
wharf discharging The government
kept this agreement. but the insur-
gents fired on the steamer and on Il
launch from the cruiser Columbia
which was entering the river. Eight
rife shots damaged the New Nork's
woodwork, endanGering the lives OF
passengers and crew.
Newark Then Gets Busy.
"The commander OF the United
States warships then decided 10 shell
pajarito. near this city. the place capt
ured by the insurgents. aud To land
800 marines with the object of punish
ing the insurgents for Insulting the
United States flag aud DANA ging an
American steamer. At 2:30 p. III. the
New York approach and opened fire,
discharging ten shells. The insurgents
fired upon the marines while they were
landing. wounding some OF them. The
marines returned the fire and the in-
surgents ran away
San DomIngans Protests.
cable from San Domingo, dated
Feb II. says: Marines from tho
United States cruiser Columbia re-
mained stationed at PajaIito near San
Domingo City until late this after
noon. when they withdrew. During
the occupation the insurgents with
drew to great distance without fur
ther resistance. The shells from tho
cruiser Newark caused some damage
I'm Pajarito and the surrounding coun.
try. \ protest signed by prominent
citizens has been distributed to the
public against the action Of the United
States warship. which it describes as
an fnsOlent outrage against the Iiber-
ty Of the republic and a disgrace to tho
finr,nI .lf,.,ni4rr