The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-15
M'KINLEY'S PLANS
For Government of Porto Rico
and FilipinOs Outlined.

Chicago. Nov. ia special to the
Times-HeraId from Washington, says:
President Mckinley has developed his
policy toward Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines. There has been much specula-
ton as to the form of government to
be given those islands, and the presi-
dent 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 a year. This statement is
on the authority of one of the presi-
dents most intimate advisers, who gives
the following outline of his programme:
First-There will be no extra session
of congress next spring, barring grave
emergencies.
Second-The conquered islands will be
continued under a strong military gov
eminent.
Third-An fduciary 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 opportun-
ity to study them and the national sent
iment can crystalline as to the relation
thew should hold to the United States.
Fifth-The islands will probably re-
tain their present systems, but they may
be bolstered by DEGREES which will in
sure stability.
Sixth-Being in effect military colon
les, the conquered islands will have tar
ifs 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 col
Iect duties on imports from the Islands
the same as though they still belonged
to a foreign sovereignty.
The presidents programme is said to
be based on the ground that the Ameri-
can people are not sufficiently informed
about Porto Rico and the Philippines to
decide offhand 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
FilipinOS and his reluctance to take all
the Philippines was based on the var
ious stages of civilization Of their in
habitants.
The president himself is at loss to
say what form of government should
be provided for the newly acquired is
lands The habits of centuries of fOrma-
ton are not to be uproOted by a mere
act of congress, and civilization does not
necessarily follow from the use of the
ballot box. The government of the is
lands presents a, tremendous problem
and the president wishes to attack It's
solution intelligently. He wants time
for himself and he wants time for the
American people.
Inc president > programme - DctoCo
on the theory that the coming session
of congress will be too short and busy
to permit legislation for a cOmprehen-
sive system of government for the con-
quered islands.
The appropriation bills and other i'm
portant measures will absorb most of
the time of the outgoing congress- and
the constructive work for the new pos
sessions will go over to the next con-
gress. There is a movement to have
the present congress appoint commits
sions like that which visited Hawaii.
Their mission would be to visit Porto
Rico and the Philippines, study the
people and their needs, familiarize them
selves with the special conditions that
must be considered and on their return
recommend to congress forms of gov
eminent for those islands. The president
wants more light and commissions such
as that which visited Hawaii will give
an intelligent basis for legislation for
Porto Rico, and especially for the Phil
ippines.
nshed military government in Porto
Rico and parts Of Cuba and the Philip
mander-in-chief of the army and navy:
It is by that authority that he will cons
responsibilities of government from his
hands. If congress fails to take the nee
the president can continue his military
management until December of next year.
A military government has the advantage
of being flexible and quickly adaptable to
special needs.
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 ear
nestly studying the needs of the situation
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 year hence it will find
the groundwork for a government well
laid. The Porto Ricans will be given a
civil government under the general SUI
pervision of the military power, and it will
be the aim of the president gradually to
shape that government to the system of