Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-11
WHAT PORTO
RICO WANTS
REPRESENTATIVE TO CONFER AT
WASHINGTON
French Tariff Law viii Bring Death
to Prosperity Says Senior
Don Jose de
Diego
Special to The Herald.

Porto Rico Senior Diego Is generally
credited In Porto Rico with being one of
the most gifted orators as we'll 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 a man
of great culture and is doing much to adj
vance the, cause of more complete self
government for Porto Rico. He declares
that the people of the island would prefer
to have the rights of statehood, but II
that is impossible they want protection
of the United States. He says that a
government like that of Canada would
suit them very we'll, as they particularly
want to be independent in making their
own commercial treaties.
In House Of Delegates
Senior Diego is one of the leading MEM
bers of the house of delegates of Porto
Rico. He is accompanied on his trip to
this country by his wife and little daugh-
ter and will take them with him to the
Jamestown exposition.
Senior Diego today conferred with the
officials of the state department protest
ing against the proposed French tariff
law, which, he says, will bring death to
the prosperity of Porto Rico. The pro.
posed French tariff places burdens upon
Porto Rican 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 inter-
ests of the island may be encouraged
and young men may be trained for agri-
cultural pursuits. Now the island has
an agricultural experimental station,
which, 1t is claimed is inadequate for
the needs of the people.
Senior Diego's first mission to this
xk.--r L. % akN T..
position to take part In the comment
moration of the first legislative assembly
held in America July 80. 1919. He will
go to jamestown upon invitation of the
president of the exposition.
Porto Rico simply wants an American
system of self-government' said Senior
Diego when asked as to the purpose of
his mission.
When asked if the existing system of
self-government is not an American one
he replied:
Principles Violated
mo, the actual system established in
Porto Rico violates the most essential
principles of the constitution and of
American democracy We have two po-
litical chambers, The house of dele
gates. composed of thirty-five members
directly elected by the people; the exec
utivel council composed of eleven MEM
DeTS appointed Dy inc pTeSiuchl, liNo VI
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 departments of the administra-
ton. SThe treasurer, the auditor, the at
torney general and other heads Of de-
partments are at the same time legis-
Iators 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
president. and nothing can be done by the
house of delegates without the concur
renee of the executive council.
porto Ricans claim the right of self
government in all local affairs; house of
delegates and a senate should be elected
by the people, even though the president
of the United States should appoint
governor and the chiefs of departments
We do not claim salaries, but rights.
We do not want the prerogatfves OF
powers. but the dignity of free men born
in America, with a right to the blessings
of American freedom"
Complains Of System
''What are the abuses you complain
Off" he was asked. a.
"Our complaints are principally against
the system, not against the administra-
ton.
,'Today. under Gov Regis H. Posts adj
ministration as under the past one of MI
Beekman Winthrop, the administrative
functions are properly performed. These
two men have become worthy of our
PY1fi in other admin
istrative periods many disorders, or,
rather. abuses of power. dreadful and in
tolerable, 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 good or
bad government, dependent upon the kind
of men who are appointed to administer
the affairs of the island, but want a sys-
tenn that will insure simple justice"
do Porto Ricans wish to secure the
rights of a state of the Onion or gov
eminent like that of Canada?
what Porto Rico wishes is self-gov-
eminent in any way that may be prac-
ticable. We would prefer to be state
of the Union, but If that is not possible
we wish to be an independent nation, I'M
der the protection of the United States.
The Canadian system is a good one for
us and it would permit us to make our
own commercial treaties and give us lib
erty in looking for markets for our
products"
What is the feeling of the people OF
Porto Rico toward the United States?"
"a deep feeling of love and respect to
the people of the United States exists in
Porto Rico, but I can claim that Porto
Ricans have not all they wish and de-
serve and should the present system con-
tinue the day may come when the just
complaints of Porto Rico will destroy
this existing feeling.
~ tell you all 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-Ameri-
can republics study the action of the
United States in Porto Rico. In Vene-
zuela, for instance, where 1 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 Vene-
zuelans that the change of government
has been beneficial to our island. that
schools and public roads have been null
tiplied and that we have entered a new
era of prosperity and that though we do
NOT have at present all we want ua hove