BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-06-04
Our just cause

loan, which has been 50 much mootcd.
although again defeated BY The Coan-
Gil. Is attracting more than ever the
attention OF the public. Many versions
and rnmors are afoat as 20 the exsci
reasons Why the administration can
not favor loan purely for the benefit
of our agricultural industries. but up
20 the present time We have heard no
very valid or convincing arguments.
We must admit that such a loan seems
rather out of place jus: AZ this time,
when our industries and even our body
politic, has been allowed 10 decay and
70 dwindle and fall away to nothing
The one question which bothers US
most is why will the government not
recognize the fact that we must have
some sort of a restorative for our agri-
cultural industries? 1t we cannot
have it through a loan why cannot the
officials in power in our island bring
the matter to the attention OF Con-
gress in such a way that we viii be
accorded some proteciion5
There can be no question as to the
fact that free trade with the United
States has been our ruin. True, our
sugar has profted, likewise our tobac-
co and our other minor crops, but our
coffee upon which we depend to as
great an extent AS does the American
nation upon its immense cereal crop
has been Neglected. 1t is impossible
for us to understand how the insular
officials can possibly close their eyes
to the suffering in Our island, which
increases from day to day. We have
yet TO learn that one our officials has
as yet taken it upon himself to make a
report to the President or TO Congress
in our behalS, dwelling upon the pre-
sent condition of our coffee industry
and the absolute necessity for action
to relieve us from predicament
which grows worse as the moths go
by. 1t must remembered that the res
possibility rests with Congress alone.
We are in no position to do anything
for ourselves, otherwise we would act,
and that speedily, to such good effect
that our next crop of coffee would
find a market where it would once
more pay US to devote our time and
energies to developing the industry on
grander scale.
The Foraker Bill is nothing more
than a roaring farce when it treats of
giving US free trade with the United
States in exchange for having cut us
off from the markets of Europe. Pre-
viously we could dispose of our pro-
ducts at a good price in European
markets and could purchase both Eu-
ropean and American goods at prices
which were just half of those we now
are compelled to pay to American
manufactures and Jobbers. And all
this because of an odious tariff enact
ment. Our coffee planters are losing
annually the enormous sum of seven
millions Of dollars. These figures give
true index to the actual ruinous con-
dition of the industry, and it is only
one year ago since the Commissioner
of the Interior did say in his annual
report to the President that it was
only question of time, at the present
rate, when a majority of our coffee
planters would de compelled to aban-
don their estates. upon which they
had spent the labor of lifetime.
And all this is true. Think of i'll In
five years we have lest, allowing for
the hurricane, fully SIS ,ooo, 900 mil
lions of dollars, and the end is not yet.
There are times when the most elo-
.quent expressions fail to depict true
condition and the true sentiments Of a
people. This is precisely the condi-
tion in which we find ourselves today.
Our most eloquent masters of rhetoric
our most capable and brilliant scholars
have made appeals which have appar 4
emily gone unheard, or if heard, then
unattended. But with bare, solemn
facts it is impossible to juggle or play.
When these facts are brought to the
attention of the American Congress
and the American people, it will be
then impossible for them to say I'VE
do not know" It will be up to them
TO act and to act decisively. Our
Commissioner of the Interior has
stated that our coffee planters are an
nually suffering the unheard of and
appalling loss Of $7.o73,S36. Think of
ii. The one statement in itself. com
ing from the source it does, should be
sufficient to bring about revolution
in our favor. 1t is appalling fright
f4f1 Ua+ 41asre are those who think