Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-18
New American Territory.

Porto Rico today becomes part of the
American commonwealth, and a new era
| begins In the West Indies. Good govern
ment takes the place in that island of the
corrupt, inequitable Spanish rule, and the
entire group is benefited through the with
drawal of the influence from Madrid which
| has restricted the DEVELOPMENT of natural
resources and has been a factor for retro
gression rather than progress. Porto Rico
becomes an American possession by virtue
OF the right of the conqueror to reimburse
himself for the expenses of q war. The
United States did not seek the war and
would gladly have avoided the struggle
But events and the blind stubbornness Of
Spain made it imperative that the sword
be drawn to rid the western hemisphere of
the Spanish influence for mis-government
Cuba was the especial object of interyen-
ton, and for the sake of the Cubans this
country sought to drive Spain from power
This accomplished, the very principle which
had operated in Cuba to require interview
ton was equally potent in Porto Rico, even
though that island was not then in serious
instruction. The smoldering fires of revolt
were to be seen, and the government held
its own by pursuing a characteristic policy
of force. The people of Porto Rico were
as worthy Of good government as were
those of Cuba. The situation left no other
logical course open but the taking of this
island, as a war indemnity as well as an
act of humanity, to prevent the recurrence
there of the conditions which in Cuba had
so loudly called for Interference
Porto Rico comes into the republic In
good condition, despite the mal-administra-
ton of the Spaniards during centuries. The
island is rich and there is reason to believe
that the American institutions will readily
take root and speedily grow The question
of local government will not be exception
ally difficult. AT first a military admins
tration will be not only justified, but neces-
STATED by the upset conditions created by
the charge of ownership and the presence
of many elements which might lead to
chaos If unrestrained by firm hand.
Eventually this process will be abandoned
for civil government adapted to the local
conditions, the needs and the limitations
of the people and the ultimate purposes
OF this country Perhaps these purposes
are as yet underlined. Generally they tend
apparently to the eventual creation of
territory, such as may grow into the pro-
portions of a state. There is nothing In
Porto Rico incompatible with the idea of
SldtSIOou, TAXING into account the lnflu-
ences which will surely modify the unfor-
tunate heritages Of Spanish rule. However
this may be, the present problems are in
significant compared with those which the
Cuban situation presents. Porto Rico comes
into the Union in a good frame of mind.
willing-if the reports from the army and
the commercial agencies may be credited
to become American. and capable of speed
lily absorbing the doctrines which underiie
the American domination
a hearty welcome is extended to this
youngest member of the American republic
which. oddly, Is at the same time one of
the Oldest settlements in the hemisphere.
Hawaii in the Pacific, which preceded Porto
Rico by few months, is now joined in
Uncle Sans family by the little West In
dian island which today enjoys the bless
ing of the Stars and Stripes and all that
banner means