The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-12-28
RICO ASKS
FOR CITIZENSHIP
They Have Gained Down and
Learned to Bride Tongues
LET US MAKE OPINION
uNioNisT AND REPUBLICAN
LEADERS MAKE CAREFUL
STATEMENTS FOR PUB-
LEGATION.


San Juan. p. r., Dec. 27--The po.
litical leaders of Porto Rico continue
70 warmly discuss President Roose-
yelt's recommendation as to insular
affairs IN his annual message. A bet
ter state Of feeling seems to prevail
here than did when the news was first
received.
|, The local press has attacked Mr
Roosevelt viciously, but neither the
Republicans nor the Unionist party
admit being In sympathy with the
| hot-headed editors.
The present attitude OF the unionsst
party, now a power, is thus defined by
Pres dent Annexy.
"The leaders of the Union party
have held important meetings TO study
the declarations contained In the
Presidents message In regard TO PorT
to Rico
They accept and loudly praise the
recommendation of American citizen
ship for the Porto Rlcans but main
tain their stand for self-guvernment,
They also believe II a necessity that
the lower house should meet annually
and especially that the Executive
Council shall be changed in such form
as to make 1t an elective Senate. as
This Is the only form OF government
to go with American citizenship The
Unionist leaders continue their good
relat ons with insular government
and sincerely hope that the President
and Congress will do full Justice to
Porto Rico
Dr.. Jose C. Barbosa, leader Of the
Republican party. has mate . lone
statement in which, among othel
he says; ssa-~s---si s4's 4-'-i' 4s,A
@The nirssage Of Rrhsident R0ose
Welt TO the Congress- Of the unite'
States advocating legislation which
win explicitly confer American cili
zensh D upon all citizens OF Port'
Rico has been highly appreciated, no
only by every Republican but by ever
good and patriotic citizen with I'M
love OF his country at heart,
I'VE indorse and comineiid AM
we are indeed thankful to Mr.. Roose
welt for his recommendation to Con
grees In such earnest and forcibl
manner as to add that there Is no es
cuse for failure In taking prompt &C
ton In the matter We e0ngratnlat'
yourselves aud our country. and trus
lconfldently in the good sense OF on
people warmly to support and uphoi'
the measure.
III will be great victory for th'
Republican patty when 'Congres
grants us the right Of American cltl
zenship. We have been workin'
hard for the last Ave years 10 obtail
this. In every Republican convention
this measure has been unanimousl'
supported. and we have very en-
phaticalIy declared tnat we conside
citizenship as the most important vita
political issue.
Our special delegates to the R'
publIcan National convention at On
cago did Their best 10 obtain a declar'
tlon or promise Of future legislatio
on the matter. While In Washingto
as Commis sioner for Porto Rico NJ
Degetau worked hard before Congres
and the Supreme Court for law G
legal deci sion. Our struggle SHOW
! the great importance we have attacl
) ed to citizenship We shall be on 70
! straight road which will speedily lea
. us In time TO form of organized tie
/ rltorial government. and later on
/ be. a state Of the Unlon-our suprem
, ideal
II will not enter into an analysts
every measure recommended by u
President Every one of them nils
secondary place and the platform vi
be more under our cortnol when CIT
zenship is granted TO Us. As America
tizens we shall enjoy the full priv
leges and rights bestowed by IN
Constitution of the United States npo
its citizens. and necessarily a modi'
= cation has 10 take place In our ioc'
I, government a. a consequence OF
: This change will be brought about
a much faster rate than by any otn'
concession. as political system has
vary according to circumstances. an
our local admin straiion machiner
has to suffer such modification as
be compatible with the new conditio
Of the Porto Ricans when they shs
enjoy the full rights Of American CT
zenship.
; DIR. Barbosa then urges work vii
\ Congress to insure the passage OF
bill in accord with the President
! v'evs and suggests that all paFu'
unite In sending delegates to Was
E ington 10 fight for such a bill \
; closes by saying.
let rs make opinion. lst Us
proach every congressman every II
portaut element. and gain publ
opiuion in Cur favor Let Us presei
}, our views to the President. Let Us
y heard nv every one and 20 doubt