New-York tribune., 1907-04-18
TAFT TO PORTO RICANS
AGAIN URGES PATIENCE.
Privileges Under american Rule
Citizenship Left IN Doubt.

Ponce. p r., April 17.-Secretary Tart ana
his party, Governor Winthrop and the insular
ofhcials accompanying them, arrived here yes
tercay afternoon dinner in honor of the Sec
retary was given by the city last night The
speech of welcome was delivered b. Auguste
Gauter, president of the City Council Senor
Gautier spoke of the excellent work done by
Governor Winthrop and referred at length TO
the question Of citizenship Governor Winthrop
made response TO this address in Spanish He
expressed gratitude for the confidence Of the
people, deeply regretted his departure and prom
ised always to lend his aid in matters affecting
the island
Herminio Diaz, a member of the Executive
Council. who acted as toastmaster. then made
long speech. in which he introduced Secre-
tary Taft, and paid aHother tribute to Gov
ernor Winthrop. He made passionate plea for
citizenship. and expressed the hope that Sec
retary Taft would unite with President Roose-
welt against Speaker Cannon. who when here
recently, gave the Porto Ricans little hope in
the matter of citizenship
Secretary Taft then spoke vigorously in reply,
saying in part:
Kgain am urged to make full and specific
declaration regarding the policy of the United
States toward the dear people of Porto Rico.
am only humble member of President Roose-
Velt's Cabinet. Whatever l may think or what
ever I may do matters of little Importance
to the people Of this island / can only invoke
your attention to the fact that President Roose-
welt has visited Porto Rico, and the island has
been visited by Mr.. Root, the Secretary Of state
and by Mr.. Cannon, Speaker of the House or
Representatives and in some respects the most
powerful man in the republic.
What these visits indicate is this: That the
people Of the United States have a deep affec-
tion for the people OF Porto Rico and feel more
kindly toward them and have a greater interest
In them than in the people of Cuba or the Phil
ipplQcS. gathered Porto
Rico TO her bosom and given her that which
means the material progress of the island
namely, the benefit of the markets of the United
States. She has given her the markets and the
prosperity she enjoys to-day She has given
every Porto RicTn the same liberty enjoyed by
the people of the United States.
You say YOU have not been given citizenship
President Roosevelt has recommended that Ctt-
zenship he given. but there have been Congress
] not dealing. however. with generalities
but with concrete facts. ] ask what is il that
a Porto Rican does not enjoy that an American
enjoys You have every guarantee and security
which a citizen Of the United States has under
the Constitution You have the writ of habeas
corpus and trial by jury. and when you are
in foreign country the same flag protects You
that protects a citizen Of the United States
Therefore while President Roosevelt urges Cti-
zenship. he urges II the ground Of gratifying
the sentiment Of the people Of this island. But
when you come TO examine the facts of what
you ask, the question is whether II is not nom
nal rather than substantial
The Secretary closed his speech with compII-
mentary references 10 the work done by Gov
ernor Winthrop.
The streets in the neighborhood Of the hotel
were so crowded that Il was necessary to invoke
the aid or the police ~ make n Tassagewa!
The dining room is on the ground floor and next
to the street and this made it possible for
great crowd to hear and see the Secretary. He
was cheered at the close OF his remarks.
The Secretary and his party left here this
morning for Guayamas.