South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-02
STATEHOOD Is
DEMANDED OR
INDEPENDENCE
Recent Earthquakes and Raw
ages of Influenza Leaves
Country in Needing
Condition.

Associated Press Service:
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, March 1.
After a debate Of more than two
days in botn houses Of the Insular
legislature, the unionists and re-
publicans today agreed TO join
forces in insisting that the American
congress make known what the fu-
ture OF Porto Rico is to be. 1t was
agreed that, If there can be no as
surance that statehood is possible.
the party should work for independ-
ence.
The debate came after the re-
ceipt here of the text Of the speech
made in the house of representatives
len washington on Feb. II by the
resident commissioner, Felix Cor
dova Davila, in which he urged
congress to state definitely whether
statehood and complete self govern
ment for Porto Rico was possible
NJ il was not possible the commits
siOner told the house he would in
eist on complete independence. Both
houses of the legislature yesterday
forwarded a message Of congratula-
tion TO Commissioner Davila for
the splendid and Just exposition of
our political situation before the
American people"
Sen. Iglesias. a socialist, opposed
commencing Mr. Davila's speech on
the ground that he should have told
the American congress Of the grave
economic conditions on the island
and explained that So percent of
The inhabitants were slaves of a few
corporations. who took money from
Tho island 10 distribute to stockhold-
ofs abroad"
\ Picture of Conditions.
a picture OF distressing conditions
iu Porto Rico. resulting from earth
,uakes and epidemic, was given
Prest Wilson today by Gov. Yager.
who sought the presidents aid in
obtaining action on a house bill APP
Iropriating S30G. coo for relief work.
hich has been held up in the SEN
ate Owing 10 the demands on the
preSid dents time. Coy. wager submit
ted his request i'm a letter
The earthquake which occurred
.n the island last October was "A real
calamity of great Importance" Gov.
Wager said Though the loss OF
life was comparatively small, only
some 10 persons being killed out
right the property loss was enor-
NOUS Thousands Of persons were
made homeless and thousands were
thrown out OF employment by the
.lddcn paralysis Of commerce and
industry. The problem OF restora-
tion and reconstruction was acute
and the little island is entirely un-
able 20 solve IL without the help Of
The national government.
To add 90 the difficulties. a great
epidemic of influenza swept over
The island right or the heels Of the
sarthquake shocks. and many thou
sands Of human victims were added
20 those caused by the seismic
t-asedy
appealed To Congress.
Under these circumstances the
island people appealed 70 congress-
Tor help. A joint resolution was
rromptIy passed by the house OF
representatives. appropriating $500
600 20 be expended under the direc-
zion OF the secretary OF war in
earthquake relief IN porto Rico,
four-fifths OF which sum was 10 be
used in repair and reconstruction OF
the federal buildings which We're
destroyed hy the earthquake. This
-esolution has failed OF passage in
The senate for some reason. and as
tine matter now stands the national
government has refused 20 extend
amy help 20 the island Of Porto Rico
in The midst OF these great calami-
lies
I cannot believe that this repre-
SCENTS the real feeling OF the people
cr the government OF our great
country"
GOV. Yager declared Porto Rico