Evening star., 1945-04-01
Colonies Freedom Prospects Differ
Philippines Problems Due Wars Effect
Freed Now but Puerto Ricos Outlook Is Bright
Puerto Rico !
Bv Leslie Hi9hIev


being brought to bear for independence
to Puerto Rico. Some Puerto Ricari VI
dependence leaders say they expect this
American possession In the Caribbean
to gain its freedom before the end Of the
war.
Like the Philippines, Puerto Rico
came under the American nag after
the Spanish American War Of 1895.
Since then it has been colony Of the
United States, with q chief executive
and three other cabinet ofncials ap-
pointed by the President.
When the Treaty of Paris was signed
by the United States and Spain In 1898,
Puerto Rico had already been made
autonomous, with representation in the
Spanish Cortes like any province OF
Spain. Under this treaty the Carib-
bean island was supposed to have the
same type Of government under the
United States. Instead, the colonial sys-
tenn was instituted.
2. Strengthen Freedom Hope,
A series of world events during the
Al years of American rule over Puerto
Rico has strengthened the islands hope
Of freedom. Some Of these events are:
/. The promise Of Philippine inde-
pendence.
2. Adopting of the Atlantic Charter,
which recognizes the rights Of peoples
to have the kinds of government they
want.
3. World conferences, such Is Tehran
and Ysita, with declarations against
imperialism.
4. Recently, introduction In Congress
Of Puerto Rican independence bill by
Senator Tydings. Democrat, of Mary
land. one Of the fathers of Philippine
independence.
NOW that the United States is clam
oring for the rights Of smaller nations" :"
Senator Tydings said recently, 'the po-
litical case of Puerto Rico should be
solved now and forever"
Latin American nations, he said, look
upon this case as "our real attitude
towards themselves. 1t is the basis for
their distrust of the colossus Of the
north and our protestations of good
neighborliness."
A few weeks ago a majority of the
members Of the island Assembly cabled
Senator Tydings urging approval of his
measure, before the Senate Territories
Committee.
This. Was the FIRST time the Puerto
Rican people had come out In an ofncial
way asking for independence.
At the hearing before the Senate COM
mittee. Or. GiIberto Conception, spokes-
man for island "independentistas." told
Congress that there is a pledge which
has not been carried out by the United
States"
He quoted Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
commander of the American forces of
occupation OF Puerto Rico In 1898, as
saying:
The people of the United states. in
the cause Of liberty. justice and hui
manity, come not to make war
upon the people Of country that for
centuries has been oppressed but, on
the contrary, to bring you protection,
not only to yourselves, but to your prop
erty, to promote your prosperity"
In discussing the economic situation
of the island after almost half q CEN
tury Of American rule, independentista
leaders told the Senate committee:
In 1898 Puerto Rico was q land Of
small farms and lively trade =.
Absentees Own Land.
Ninety per cent of the cultivated
land was owned by those who titled it
- although the standard of living
was not exceptionally high. hunger was
unknown and the new power to contract
trade agreements (the Spanish au-
tonomous system) meant economic
prosperity 5" ..
To-day absentee sugar enterprises
alone own almost half Of the arabic
land. American tobacco and fruit grow
ers raise the total percentage. All
Puerto Rican trade IS subject to the
United States tarid and coastwise ship
ping laws, which protect American ex-
ploiters but work to the detriment Of
the Puerto Rican people"
Tho case Of Puerto Rico was not
brought up at the Mexico City Con-
ference of American Nations. How
ever, island independence leaders will
send delegation to the San Francisco
Conference.
These leaders have said that Latin
American nations have offered their
support to "the cause Of Puerto Rican
freedom"
fDixtributed by tha ASsociated Presgo