The sun., 1919-08-18
FREEDOM AIM
OF PORTO RICO,
SAYS LEADER
President Of the Senate
Here to Present Claims to
American Congress.
HOLD PLEBISCITE
Full Power for Legislature
Sought in All Local
Matters.

Thu arst stem in a new effort to win
soi,t,cal freedom for Porto Rico will be
aiken by Antonio r. Barcelo, PRESIDENT
Il the Porto Rican Senate. who Is now
"a the Bfltmore. Mr.. Barcelo viii go 10
Washington to place before Congress
resolution adopted by the Uniomst party
u Porto Rico, Of which he Is leader.
This resolution, which aims 10 gam
pnly a temporary adjustment OF cor
titions, was Endorsed, Mr.. Barceio saiu'
" the delegation of thirty Congressman
who were investigating the political and
economic situations OF Porto RICO me'
April. 1t was resolved:
That until the final political status OF
Porto Rico shall have been determined
after having ascertained the will OF the
,eople of the island through a plebisclte
II their qualified voters, the Congress OF
he United States be petitioned:
Cal That the Legislature of Porto
Rico be vested with power to legislate
without restrictions on all local matters.
fb) That the Governor OF the island
Ne elected by the vote OF Its qualineo
electors.
tc) That the Governor, with the ad-
rice and consent Of the Senate OF Porto
Rico. shall appoint all heads OF depart.
nents, with power to legislate without
e
fd) That the Governors veto shall be
uspensive and that upon reconsideration
" a vetoed bill by the affirmative vote
II two-thirds of the members OF inc
legislature, such bill shall become law.
At the Biltmore yesterday Mr. Baroelo
aid that the present political system
,mbodying the double authority In Porto
Rico of a government designated In
Washington and a government elected
n the island, brings about, however
autonomous such a system may De- Sc
ious conflicts of interest that weaken
ne sentiment Of the country toward
rank and decided understanding De
ween the people of Porto Rico ana tne
,eople of the United States.
ave are not in haste about our PROB
en- Mr.. Barcelo said. I'VE know that
sou need Porto Rico for internationa
purposes. for IL is a strategic point a.
he entrance to the Caribbean Sea anc
N the road to the Panama Canal we
re bound to respect such necessity anc
agree thereto, because II Is just ane
Necessary, and convenient to ourselves
Nc know we must accept any solution
nyoring those purposes which tend u
stablish and insure the safety OF fret
government in our America. we ais'
NOW that together we must find a fern
-
hose great interests, but which will per
nit US to progress openly and withou
gejudice toward the future.
I'VE ask a government under whicl
We may control all our local interests
irsnt our people the right to elect thei
Governor by popular vote, and let al
lie executive officers be elected or ap
sointed in Porto Rico, as may be deter
mined by our Legislature. Grant us full
legislative power to solve our own prob
EN-, but do this in such a manner that
hcuid some day a conflict of interest
rise between US, we may frame our owl
ustoms tariff, as does Canada in he
elation to England. There being thu
10 conflict or friction, Porto Rico will
levelop as she sees fit, in her own way
md whenever you 80 desire you vii
AVE the power to intervene throug
our Congress at any time you ma
hink we have exceeded our powers.
This is the only policy possible be
ween you and US. II you do this Port
sico will progress toward a state q
happiness such that surely will brin
bout the relations which should exis
etween U.S."