El Imparcial. (San Juan, P.R.) 1918-197?, 1919-02-24
EDITORIAL VIEWS
By Claudio CdP6.
ON THE
PLEBISCITE


the contrary, I feel the greatest
respect for The honest patriot WHO knows how to defend
which some people think is a LOST one, tor no
matter what arguments brought to the front line, the
United States will not consider for moment the idea of
giving up the Island Of Porto Rico, srategically sit
uatel, III relation to the Panama Canal. On the con
trary, looks if Holland following the example Of
Denmark, which lately sold the Virgin Islands were to
abandon Curacao and the other small West Indian Is
lands she owns, to the United States
But nevertheless respect very much the opinion Of
the cmanpstds, and this by the way is the name they
should give to their party since Of their contentious
is that the Spanish Language going to the dogs here,
because OF the presence Of the Americans So, don't call
yourself any longer indepcndentsta, senior emancips
Ia. Yes think they have as much right, or rather we
have much right 70 demand independence at least
selfdetelmnation, as the United Colonies had to fight
for it something like one and one half century ago.
True, we not in position to press pnr demand by the
force Of arms but that does not affect at all the merits
Of the case, from its purely ethical moral point Of
view
Honestly speaking think it is foolish to rdicnle the
idea and the ideal, simply because it cannot be realized
by forces it is right that rules over might and the War
just closed gave us fine illustration of it. / do not
wish this country to be independent like many Of our
neghbors independent, but sovereign state of
the American Union is independent Nevertheless Porto
Rico has perfect right to selfgoyernment just like
other countries have it, in accordance with Wilson's
peated declarations and in order to put at rest once for
all the lime political agitation Of that kind think the
pfebce ought to be carried out and let it decide about
our future sSItlllS.
have said that the United States, in my opinion,
would consent to lower their flag in Porto Rco unless
forced to do it. but the test referred to- the pebscte
would at all endanger their sovereignty here think
that great deal Of that propaganda is nothing but the
expression OF discomfort because of the manner in which
the country is ruled at the present time Good many
Porto Rcans wondering what these repeated decara
tions OF Mr. Wilson mean about self-goyernment and
selfdeterminaon, when right under the Americans flag
one million and two hundred thousand souls are ruled
by men, not only not of the choice OF the governed but
entirely strange to them; people who come here to rule
live FOR years iii the Island and remain entirely oof
lnsynpathetc, just BY themselves was surprised to
hear Mr.. wager make his speech on Columbus day,
Through interpreter, and the present Governor has
been living here although not among us, since six
seven years ago! The sane thing happens with many
other employees Of the United States have here; not
only they should know our language when they land but
they should be particularly Instructed by the national
administration to live with u.s. to identify themselves
with the governed to be possible to the people
they are are to govern.
have heard some people say that Governor Cotton
was the ,set ever had, from the United States.
wasn't in Porto Rico when he ruling it, but they tell
me he fine iinggist better mixer and far better
student OF mems nature, of their suferngs, Of their
needs theirwhims- OF therWhims and Of all those
things that 60 to make up human nature good gov
must be- than nothing ese,a real psychologist,
III order to rule we'll Particularly with us, emotional
and temperamental Latins, that counts a great deal
Enfiro Rave ria, dclocat;Cr, cr,,;tc