Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-23
WHAT PORTO RICO WANTS
SENIOR JOSE DE DIEGO TO REP
RESENT CERTAIN CLAIMS.
Says French Tariff Law Will Bring
Death to the Prosperity Of
His Island.

| Senior Don Jose de Diego of Porto Rico
Is here to present to the State Department
certain claims of the island for tariff pro-
1 lection and to advance the cause of home
| rule in Porto Rico. Senior Diego il gen.
| orally credited in Porto Rico with being
| one Of the most gifted orators as well as
one of the leading statesmen not only in
the island, but in any Of the Spanish
| speaking countries of the new world. He
is man of great culture and Is doing
| much to advance the cause Of more COM
plete self-government for Porto Rico. He
| declares that the people of the island
| would prefer to have the rights of state
hood. but If that is impossible they want
| independence with Americans under the
| that a government like that of Canada
would suit them very well, as they par
ticularly want to be Independent in making
their own commercial treaties.
Member Of House Of Delegates.
Senior Diego Is one of the reading men,
bers of the house of delegates of Porto Rico.
| He is accompanied on his trip to this
country by his wife and little daughter and
will take them with him to the Jamestown
exposition.
Senior Diego today conferred with the
officials of the State Department protesting
against the proposed French tariff law
which. he says, will bring death to the
prosperity of Porto Rico. The proposed
French tariff places burdens upon Porto
Rlcan coffee, which he desires to avoid in
order that that product may have freer
entrance into French ports.
He also wants Congress to look to the
establishment of an agricultural college in
the island. In which the special interests of
the island may be encouraged and young
men may be trained for agricultural pur-
suits. Now the island has an agricultural
experimental station, which, i. Is claimed is
inadequate for the needs of the people,
Senior Diego's first mission to this country
Is to attend the Jamestown exposition to
take part in the commemoration of the first
legislative assembly held in America July
3d. 1919. He will go to jamestown upon in
vitation of the president of the exposition
Porto Rico simply wants American
system of self-government" said Senior
Diego when asked by a Star reporter today
as to the purpose of his mission
When asked If the existing system Of self
government is not an American one he re-
Piled
Essential Principles Violated.
mo. the actual system established in
Porto Rico violates the most essential prin-
ciples of the Constitution and of American
democracy We have two political cham
bers. The house of delegates composed of
thirty-five members directly elected by the
people; the executive council, composed of
eleven members appointed by the President
hVe of whom must be Porto Ricans.
up to the present time the President
has appointed five Porto Ricans, the other
six members being Americans. The six are
at the same time heads Of the several de-
partments of the administration. The
treasurer, the auditor the attorney gen.
eral. and other heads of departments are at
the same time legislators in the executive
council that plays the part of the senate
Of Porto Rico.
by such means. two great principles Of
American government are infringed. the
division Of powers and the right of the
people to vote their own tariff laws
THE tariff law is always proposed by
the executive council. whose members are
not chosen by the people but by the Presi-
dent, and nothing can be done by the house
of delegates without the concurrence of the
executive council.
Porto Ricans claim the right of self
government in all local affairs: house of
delegates and senate should be elected by
the people. even though the President of
the United States should appoint a gov
ernor and the chiefs of departments. we
do not claim salaries. but rights We do
not want the prerogatives of overs. but
the dignity of free men born in America
with right to the blessings Of American
freedom"
Complaint Against the System.
What are the abuses you complain Off"
he was asked.
Our complaints are principally against
the system. not against the administra-
ton.
To-day, under Gov. Regis H. Posts ad-
ministraton under the past one of Mr..
Beekman Winthrop. the administrative
functions are properly performed. These
two men have become worthy Of our coun-
try's gratitude. But in other administra-
tive periods many disorders. or rather
abuses Of power. dreadful and intolerable.
have occurred.
Our system of government permits
either a good or a bad administration. and
the Porto Ricans don't wish to be subjected
to the uncertainty of a good or a bad
men who are appointed to administer the
affairs Of the island, but want system
that will insure simple Justice
DO Porto Ricans wish to secure the
rights of state of the Union or a gov
vernment like that of Canada?"
What Porto Rico wishes is self-gov-
ticable. We would prefer to be a state Of
the Union. but If that is not possible we
wish to be an Independent nation under
the protection Of the United States. The
and 1t would permit us to make our own
commercial treaties and give us liberty in
looking for markets for our products"
Feeling for the q. S.
What is the feeling of the people of
Porto Rico toward the United States?'
"A deep feeling or love and respect to
the people Of the United States exists in
Porto Rico but I claim that Porto
Ricans have not all they wish and deserve
and should the present system. continue the
day may come when the just complaints of
Porto Rico will destroy this existing feel
ing.
II tell you ali the truth because the truth
interests both Porto Rico and the United
States. The United States has and must
exercise leadership in America, and all the
people of those Latin-American republics
study the action of the United States in
Porto Rico In Venezuela. for instance.
where l was some time ago, they have
firm belief that American sovereignty has
been ruinous for Porto Rico and have had
to make great efforts to show to prominent
Venezuelans that the change of govern
ment has been beneficial to our island: that
schools and public roads have been multi
piled and that we have entered new era
of prosperity, and that though we do not
have at present all we want We have a
sure hope of achieving our best success