BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-06-16
THE BISHOPS WARNING
Our Duty fulfilled

present situation; with us are all VINO
are interested in finding as soon as
possible a remedy for the economical
crisis. In company. united we go.
withthe highest mission TO accomplish
with very important duty to fulfill.
The work was arduous, but at last
public opinion has been woulded. The
truth has been recognized. he pol
icy which we have championed has
,triumphed and now is proclaimed as
the best remedy for the difficulties
that best US the one that we advocate;
and now is comprehended how our
present free trade relations an defec-
tive and anomalous.
Now can we say without reserve
that we have indeed covered good
stretch of road. And we have not
been persuring our course in an aim
less fashion, proceeding as one who
has no fixed goal; and in proof of this
we have only to point to the imme
diate results which are in evidence. if
not those directly proceeding from Inn
provements in the Administration
measures for governing the island.
still, we have been active in forming
public opinion whose discussions of
questions of the day are marked by
discernment.
But we have one compensation in
spite of the failure of our represents
tives to obtain the loan which the
country SO much Gesires; compensa-
ton in strong contrast with the futile
observations which emenate from time
to time from the Office of the Com
missioner of the Interior.
Werefer to the investigations which
the Bishop of Puerto Rico has been
making for the past five years, espe-
cially one which calls for thoughtful
consideration dere to the seriousness
and Importance of the subject.
From the sacred pulpit prince of
the church, who has passed five years
among us and who has dep oeep
affection for the people of Porto Rico,
has given ulterance to prophecy
SO remarkable, our that will fill many
hearts with terror; a prediction which,
unfortunately, appears to be the result
of an analysis of facts made during
investigations carried on for the past
FIVE years. The etudy has been of
methods which, until now, have been
regarded by the native element with
culpab1e Indifference although, as
rule, the purpose of those methods
was to strike blow at the Puerto
rican personality.
From that sacred sport which ought
to be the spring of life and hope
comes down this time solemn voice,
voice that must be heard because
of the prestige of the speaker and
the circumstances that call forth the
ulterance. It is lamentstion more
bitter, more sorrouful and sad than
those of the prophet in Jerusalem. It
is the word which foretells the catas-
trophies of country you are going to-
die, you are going to disappear!
If -frmners, faith, character do not
appirse IN insuperable barrier to-
devastation anikilation, resign your
selves to die.
A hard, frightful prophecyl
So have our Representation unders-
TODD those words, and took measures
to prevent the emplazment of the
loan of 5000, 900 for other interests
save those of agriculture. So has the
country understood those phophetis
words, the country whose frnners has
not been more than reflection which
has given lrespectability to the Legls
1ative Assembly in the last moment
of the extraordinary session; and be
causes it understands, therefore does
the country rejoice at the failure OF
the loan if it were not to serve as 2
cure for the wounds which our agri-
cultural interests have suffered.
Energy and frmnes are necessary.
Never have we failed 10 recon-
mend these exalted virtues loiaed
with that superior virtue Of faith
which we musr have in the grand es-
tiny Of the people who dwell on this
island. Sovereign faith-which will
not fail us when we need it to accom-
plish our great destiny.
Indeed our Commissioner of Inte-
rior seesat last Mr. lliott, Under
whose initiative no remarkable work
has been completed. can see how Eve
years of residence in country ought
10 be employed; how useful are some
of our officials. how others become