The record-union., 1898-11-16
intended to Save the Country From the
Blunders Of Hasty Action.
Strong Military Governments to BE
Maintained Until Congress
Takes the Responsibilities of
Government From His Hands
Its Adoption May Do Away
With the Necessity for an Ex-
ira Session.

Nl11OAGO, NOV. IO.--A Speclal TO the
llmes-Herald'' from Washington
says:
President Mckinley has developed his
policy toward Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines. There has been much specula-
ton to the form of Government to be
given those islands, and the President
has been studying the problem with
great earnestness. He has decided TO
save the country from the blunders of
hasty action and will delay the final
decision for year. This statement is
on the authority of one of the Presi-
dents most intimate advisers, who
gives the following outline of his pro-
gram:
First-There will be no extra session
of Congress next spring, barring grave
emergencies
Second-The conquered islands will be
continued under strong military gov
ernment.
Third-All fiduciary positions will be
administered by army officers.
Fourth-The islands will be kept out
OF politics as much as possible until the
American people have had an oppor-
tunity to study them and the national
sentiment can crystallize as to the re-
lations they should hold to the United
States.
Fifth-The islands will probably re-
tain their present currency systems,
but these may be bolstered up by de-
crees which will insure stability.
Sixth-Being in effect military colo-
nies, the conquered islands will have
tariffs of their own, which will be
levied on imports from the United
States as well as those from other
countries.
Seventh-The United States will coll
lect duties on imports from the islands
the same as though they still belonged
to a. foreign sovereignty
The Presidents program is said to be
based on the ground that the American
people are not, sufficiently informed
about Porto Rico and the Philippines to
decide off-hand whether they should be
treated as territories or as colonies
somewhat after the British system.
Many Americans believe the natives of
the conquered islands are not suited to
be taken into full membership in Uncle
Sans family. The President has held
that position, at least toward the Fill
pinos, and his reluctance to take all the
Philippines was based on the various
stages of civilization of their inhabi-
tants.
The President is at loss to say what
form of government should be provided
for the newly acquired islands. The
habits of centuries of formation are not
to be uprooted by a mere Act of Con-
gress, and civilization does not nec-
essarily follow from the use of the
ballot-box. The government of the ISL
ands presents a tremendous problem,
70
solution intelligently. He wants time
American people.
The Presidents program is based
on the theory that the coming session
of Congress will be too short and busy
to permit of legislation for compre-
hensive system of government for the
conquered islands The appropriation
bills and other important measures will
absorb most of the tine of the outgoing
Congress, and the constructive work
for the new possessions will go over to
the next Congress. There is move
ment to have the present Congress ap-
point commissions like that which Wis
tied Hawaii. Their mission would be to
visit Porto Rico and the Philippines to
study the people and their needs, fa-
miliariZe themselves with the special
conditions that must be considered and,
on their return, recommend to Con-
gress forms of government for those
islands. The President wants more
light and commissions such as that
which visited Hawaii will give an in
telligent basis for legislation for Porto
Rico. and especially for the Philippines.
President Mckinley has already es-
tablished q military government in
Porto Rico, parts of Cuba and the Phil
ippines by virtue of his authority as
Commander-in-Ch of the army and
navy 1t is by that authority that he
will continue in control until Congress
takes the responsibilities of govern
ment from his hands. If Congress fails
to take the necessary action at the
coming session. the President can con-
tipue his military management until
December of next year.
A military government has the ad-
vantage of being flexible and quickly
adapted to special needs. If change
is needed in the laws of Porto Rico. in
the opinion of the American officers on
the ground, the President can order
it on a moments notice. With army
officers scattered over the island, all
earnestly studying the needs of the sit
uation and reporting to the President.
he can make such adaptations from day
to day as may seem desirable, and
when Congress takes up the problem
a year hence it will find the ground
work for a government well laid. The
Porto Ricans will be given civil gov
ernment under the supervision of the
military power, and it will be the aim
of the President gradually to shape
that government to the system of the
TTpi4od CtafoG