Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03
PARTY GONE
Efforts to Form New Party in
Porto Rico.
STATEHOOD THE ISSUE
PATRIOTIC DECLARATIONS. IN
EXCUSE OF REFUSAL TO VOTE.
Settlement of Property Ownership
Contention of Church and State
Teachers to Visit America.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
SAN JUAN. P. R.. February "a, 1904
After an existence covering the period Of
American occupation, during which time it
has steadily fought the American admins
tration in Porto Rico, the federal party has
gone out of existence. and an effort is being
made to form a new party, to be known as
the Porto Rico union.
The new party has made the principal
plank of it's platform a demand for indie
pendence or statehood One republican
member of the executive council, Matienzo
Cintron. whose term is about to expire, has
Joined the union. but otherwise the repub-
hcans have treated the movement with
scorn. --~,.-.--
Party Directed From New York.
The federal party has been under the
leadership of Munoz Rivera of New York
who has from that metropolis directed its
acts and policy while conducting an Eng
lish-Spanish newspaper, the Porto Rico
Herald. A few weeks ago Mr.. Rivera came,
after an absence of three years, to visit his
followers and advise their disbandment as
federals and the formation of another
party.
The federals have no representation in
the executive council as the two named by
president Mckinley resigned In the house
or delegates they have ten members out of
thirty-five, representing two of the seven
election districts of the island. Four wears
ago the party refused to go to the polls
Two years ago 1t voted and was over
Whelmingly defeated by the renuhIicans
who reelected Federico Degeteay as resi-
dent commissioner to Washington and
twenty-five of the thirty-five members of
the house of delegates.
Federal Declaration.
The principal resolution adopted bv the
federals on dissolution are: Not to partici-
pate in the biennial election next Novem
her, because:
First. the repeated and proved facts
demonstrate there are no guarantees for
the free exercise of the suffrage: second.
totai abstinence is the only means by
Wnlch the citizen can avoid suffering indig-
mites and prevent a disturbance of the
peace. avoid bloody conflicts and re-estab
nsh the moral tranquility so greatly dis
turbed; third. the house of delegates has
by TINS means become. without question a
sterile and ineffective body uAder the pres
ent administration: fourth. the oreaniza-
tlon OF the Porto Rican union Shall NOT
nave the character of political party in
the held. but patriotic organization
which in all cases will represent the real
public thought and desires of the people of
forto RICO. without ambitions for power
nor passions to corrupt it's attitude nor an
intolerance which may prevent the dJfru-
sion OF its ideas and the triumphs of its
principles; fifth. 1t will resort to the local
ana national press to propagate its ideas
also by public speeches, and above all by
uIsins the same in the political and official
circles In Porto Rico and the United States.
sixth. 1t will be a nucleus which ali men of
good falth may form. from all quarters of
Whatever party, who want to enlist their
strength In the support and defense of
eneI country: seventh. when the program
on icf ,lrxr
Will De dissolved. When the island has Sc
cured nxed status. then new parties will
pc formed in accordance with the we'll
oeins and progress of the country"
Stands for a Definite Citizenship
Inc Following resolution as to the status
OF Porto Rico was adopted by vote of 60
to 10: We declare ourselves opposed to anv
solution Of the problem of our status which
does not include the principles of the Con-
sutution of the United States, or that does
not concede to the Porto Ricans a definite
ct s ana we are In favor of form
OF government. which win satisfy the
necessity OF the country and establish in
Porto Rico self-government or autonomy
In which the people of Porto Rico may ac-
aulfe run civli and political rights. in gov
The present indications are that the new
party, and that the republicans will gain
In insular politics was the old federal
pduty, dflu THAT the republicans will gain
strength by the movement
Settlement of Property Ownership.
Final steps are about to be taken to for
ever settle the important question as to
who owns valuable real estate and per-
sonal property in various parts of Porto
Rico and claimed by the Roman Catholic
Church and by the insular government.
There have been numerous conferences be-
2
cabinet Governor Hunt, Bishop Blenke
the head of the Roman Catholic Church in
Porto Rico, and others who are deeply con-
cerned and who desire amicable adjust
ment.
bill Just introduced in the executive
council by DR.. Jose Barbosa suggests the
plan which 1t is believed embodies President
Roosevelts views and which will soon be-
come a law unless present signs fail. 1t au
thorizes Governor Hunt to appoint a COM
mission Of three members to carefully in
vestigate all claims of title or ownership,
legal or equitable, of the Roman Catholic
Church In and to all real and personal
property in the island claimed by the
church as against the government and to
make findings and conclusions with respect
to such property and thereafter specifically
and settlement Of such claims as may to
the commission seem just and equitable and |
in conformity with the treaty of Paris.
A Commission to Investigate.
The commission is directed to make full |
report of its examinations and findings, |
together with its opinion, to the executive |
council within three months after its first
session; and If the council approve such |
report or any part thereof, they shall |
transmit the same to thes governor with |
recommendation, and If the governor APP /
prove, he is empowered roi make and ac-
cept such final settlement as may have |
been recommended by the council, and, in /
case 1t be proper, to take any action neees- |
sary to make such settlement effectual be- |
tween the government and ahe church.
In case there is existing and unsettled |
any dispute as to the title or ownership |
of any real or personal property between |
any municipality of the island and the Ro- !
man Catholic Church. and Ne municipality. |
acting through the council and the alcalde |
(mayor), and the church through the |
bishop, agree to submit their respective |
claims to be considered. and passed upon !
by the commission. 1t shall be the duty of |
the commission to fully consider such
claims and-p upon the same. and there !
after duly file with the alcaide and the
bishop their opinion and Recommendation
as to the merits OF such controversy, and