BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-10-08
EDITORIAL

Once more the mysterious directors
of the offce-holders mutual protective
association have an opportunity through
their chief mouthpiece, the morning
daily, to issue a new decree of "ant1-
Americanism Now it is Mr. Parker.
This statesman recognizes that his
country is viewed vi it'll distrust and
alarm by every one of the Latin
American states; he percelves that
the course laid out by the present
government of the United States leads
toward a complete isolation, through
the hostility of the neighboring coun-
tries, who feel their very existence en-
dansered; he sounds the note of warn
ing against the danger which is sare
to overtake not only his own country
but the rest of the civilized world,
through the misguided policy OF
expansion, of American Imperialism,
and clearly and concisely sets forth
his views in the following statements,
which should be read and pondered
by the people of those countries upon
whom the iron hand of the running
and disastrous American imperialism
has fallen.
Ane he has clear reason to support
him. If the democratic candidate
impresses upon the people of the
United States the necessity for =
complete change in the national policy,
and in its foreign relations, it surely
must be because he sees the dangers
and abuses which this policy is leading
up to, and his attack upon the wrong
he calls upon the people of the United
States to right, is mastery one.
Mr.. Parker holds it to be essential
to the life of the republic to adhere
to those doctrines which have given
the United States the grea tness and
glory they enjoy, the principles and
ideas laid down by the first President
of the American Republic. Here is
what he says
THE revision of the tariff must be
entered upon at once and without
delay in the interests Of the whole
people. 1t is of vital importance to
reduce the customs duties in order
to give our manufacturers an oppor-
tunity to compete in foreign markets.
Independence should be given to
the Filipinos, not only as matter OF
justice to them but as matter OF
safety to us. A free people cannot
deprive another people of their indie
pendence and remain free themselves.
A tolerance of tyranny exercised over
others will soon create contempt for
liberty and free government, and
weaken Our power of resistance against
the insidious Nsurpation of our constl-
tutional rights.
It is now more than ever essenclal
that we adhere strictly to the tradltio-
nal policy of our nation IN the form
and manner promulgated by our first
President
Such course would mean a strict
observance Of the principles of lnterna-
tional law, and condemns the doctrine
that powerful country may, by reason
of it's power, Appropriate the sovereignty
or territory of smaller country. me-
rely because it is weak,
1t would mean to the other Ameri-
can states that We assume no other
rights, or take upon ourselves any
other functions than those of friend,
AL dlIy, duO q PAOLNNAOA AeANH
can aggressions. 1t means that we
repudiate the role of Continental poll
ce agent for the American hemisphere
that we refuse to become collectors for
foreign nations or their citizens; that
we respect the independent sovereign
ty of each and every American state,
and their right to maintain order and
regulate their internal affairs as they
see fit that any intervention on our
part in their affairs will be limited by
the sole aim of enabling them to work
out their own destiny, free from all
European coercion.
What clear reason he has on his
side, and how timely his arguments
are, everyone1n Puerto Rico can ap-
preciate.
Among the officials who compose
the mutual protective association, who
issue patents of American ism, and
excornunicate those who do not humbly
prove that they are willing and obe-
dient slaves to the will of the associa
ton, the speeches of Mr. Parker must
have thrown the widest sort OF cons
formation.
Thew never so much as mention an