The herald., 1898-11-16
OFFICERS OF The ARMY
WILL ADMINISTER AFFAIRS OF
THE COLONIES
M'KINLEY WANTS A FULL YEAR
To Decide on a Form Of Government
for the Territory Wrested
From Spain
Associated Press Special Wire

CHICAGO, Nov. ia special to the
Times Herald from Washington says:
President Mckinley has developed his
policy toward Porto Rico and the Philip
pines. There has been much speculation as
to the form of government to be given those
islands, and the President has been study
ing 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 over year. This state
ment is on the authority of one OF the Presl-
dents most intimate advisers. who gives the
following outline of his program.
First-There will be no extra session of
Congress next spring, barring grave emer-
gencies.
Second The conquered islands will be
continued under a strong military govern
ment.
Third-All fiduciary positions will be ad-
ministered by army officers.
Fourth-The islands will be kept out of
politics as much as possible until the Ameri-
can people have had an opportunity to
study them and the national sentiment can
crystalline as to the relation they should
hold to the United States.
Fifth-The islands will probably retain
their present currency systems, but these
may be bolstered by DEGREES which will in
sure stability.
Sixth--Beng in effect military colonies.
the conquered islands will have tariffs of
their own which will be levied on imports
from the United States as we'll as those from
other countries
Seventh-The United States will collect
duties on imports from the islands the same
as though they still belong to foreign SOW
ereiQntv.
The Presidents program is said to be
based on the ground that the American peo
nle are not sufficiently informed about
Porto Rico and the Philippines to decide off
hand whether they should be treated as
the British system. Many Americans be-
lieve the natives of the conquered islands
are not suited to be taken into full mem
bership of Uncle Sans family. The Pres-
dent has held that position at least toward
the FiliDinos and his reluctance to take all
the Philippines was based on the various
stages of civilization of their inhabitants.
The President is at loss to say what form
of government should be provided for the
newly acquired islands. The habits of cen
turies of formation are not to be uprooted
by 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 its solution
intelligently. He wants time for himself,
and he wants time for the American peo-
pie.
The Presidents program is based on the
theory that the coming session of Congress
will he too short and busy to permit legisla-
tion for a comprehensive system of govern
ment for the conquered islands. The ap-
preparation bills and other important meas
ures will absorb most of the time of the
outgoing Congress and the constructive
work for the new possessions will go over
to the next Congress. There is movement
to have the present Congress appoint COM
missions like that which visited Hawaii.
Their mission would be to visit Porto Rico
and the Philippines. study the people and
their needs familiarize themselves with the
special conditions that must be considered,
and on their return recommend to Congress
forms of government for those islands. The
President wants more light and commits
cions such as that which visited Hawaii will
give an intelligent basis for legislation for
Porto Rico and especially for the Philip
pines.
President Mckinley has already estab-
and parts of Cuba and the Philippines by
virtue of his authority as commander-in-
chief of the army and navy. It is by that
authority that he will continue in control
until Congress takes the responsibilities of
government from his hands. If Congress
fails to take the necessary action at the
coming short session, the President can con-
tinue his military management until De-
cember of next year. A military govern
ment has the advantage of being flexible and
quickly adaptable to special deeds.
If Congress is needed in the laws Of
Porto Rico in the opinion of American Of
fcers on the ground the President can or
der it on a moments notice With army Of
ficers scattered ever the islands earnestly
studying the needs of the situation and re-
porting to the President, he can make such
adaDtations from day to day az may seem
desirable. and when Congress- takes up tho
problem year hence it will find the gronnd
work for government we'll laid. The
Porto Rioans will be given a civil govern.
ment under the s,inervision of the military
power. ard # will he the aim of the Presi-
dent gradually to shane that government to
the system of the United States.