Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-12-07
Puerto Rico the Simplest Problem.

presenting the simplest problem, and
after discussing the political condi-
tions there, emphasizing the ignorance
of the people of amy modern system of
government, he holds that they should
be provided with he kind of admins
tration to which we have been accum-
toned, with just as much ral'ticipa-
ton on their part as is possible with
out enabling their ineNperience to
make it ineffective antl with opporp,ni-
" for them to Increase theiii caisaeits
for government.
He suggests statutory declaration
us to what laws should be extended to
the Puerto Ricans, with provisions for
federal officers to execute them and
for IL federal judiciary With appeal to
the United States supreme court :.
There should be form OF local in
sular government subject to congress
sional limitations: a governor APPOINT
ed by the president and confirmed by
the senate, the chief officers appointed
in like manner, and a Legislative coiln-
ell. composed OF the chief officers of
the state and Il minority elected by the
people from the citizens of the island.
The municipalities arc TO b. governed
by mayors and councils elected ny
them. with officers subiiec. 10 removal
by the governor. 1T would be- better to
wait for time before an elective leg
islature is permitted. Suffrage should
be limited to those who read and write
or own a small amount. of property.
Puerto Ricans should he chosen for
offices they are able 10 fill. American
officials should ba limited il, humber
to the barest necessities and should
then be chosen by civil service meth
obs. Education should be at the cost
of the community, betrayed from the
insular treasury and ii necessary as
sisted by the United States. The Span
ish civil code should be continued in
force with such radical notifications
as experience suggests.
Much stress is-Iaitl on the industrial
distress resulting from the inability
of the Puerto Ricans to market their
goods owing TO the Withdrawal of the
Spanish market. which was their for
mer reliance, and to otir own tariff.
The secretary says it is essential that
the markets of the United States
should be opened to Puerto Rico as
were the markets Of Spain and Cuba
Government OF Cuba.
Concerning Cuba the report says the
control which we are exercising in
trust for the people OF Cuba should
not, and of course will not he. con-
tinneG amy longer than is necessary to
enable the people TO establish Il suit
able government to which the control
shall be transferred. which shall renl-
ly represent the people Of Cuba and
be able to maintain order and dis
charge international obligations.
1t is pointed out that the inability of
! two-thirds. Of the people TO read and
ernment ard the factiona! feeling left
by bloody conflicts make ii necessary TO
proceed somewhat slowly in the forma-
the termination of the Year allowed by
treaty for the Spanish population to elect
whether to become Cubans or remain
Spaniards 1t win be for the snaniar,d;s for
entitled to take part III that sovernment.
BY April II the census will have been
completed and we shall be ready TO pro-
vide, for municipal! elections, placing the
local government In the hands Of the cit
liens, and these local governments will
form n representative convention to
general government. oil the. island TO
which the United States will surrender
the reins of government. The secretary
devotes some attention to the unfortunate
plight of the Cuban sugar producers ow-
ing to the competition of European beet
sugar. with possible free sugar from
Puerto Rico and discriminating duties i'm
favor of other West Indian sugar. lie
suggests as a curative measure some
tariff arrangement By which Cuban prod
ucts may be imported To the United
posed for Jamaica in the pending rect
/ procity treaty.
EStended ststen,en 81 is waived as to the
the fun report which viii be presented
by the Philippines commission.
Treaty With sultan oi Gun.
Reference is made to the negotiations
by, General Bates of the treaty with the
sultan of Sulu and it is pointed out that
it is not only subject to congressional APP
prevail, but the sultan has been informed
that such approval did not carry with it
The consent of the United States to tile
existence of slavery in the islands.
A strong recommendation is made for
he laying of Il Pacific cable as a matter
of great military, and political i,npor-
lance. The cost of such Il cable is placed
way of Hawaii Wake island and Guam
from San Francisco to Manila.
The secretary deals in forceful man
ner with the subject of post exchanges.
He expresses his agreement with the con
struction of the statute on this point laid
down by the encouragement. and pro-
forces at posts and elsewhere to show
that the Overwhelming testimony of the
army is to the effect that the present
regulation has promoted temperance dis
cipline. morals and health of the enlisted
men. and that in the interest of morality
and effective service it should be re-
tanned.
Under the head of river and harbor
improvements the secretary, while chur-
acteri2ing the estimates as generally
meritorious. states that he has felt IL
afn vyta ..c
preparations for military purposes, to re-
duce the estimates of the chief of cngi-
ne a from 81 .so6,2S1 to sl4,sas74l.
Other recommendations are that Cen
eral shaftcr Should be retired wit With the
rank of maior-general that statue of
General Graft be erected in the national
capital that the railroad bridge should
be built across the Potomac at Airing
ton with road connecting Arlington
With Mt. Vernon. and that a national
park be constructed over the battlefields
cellorsvillc, the Wilderness and Spcttyyl-
vania court house at Il cost of about
s35, COO
Army Reorganization.
One of the most important chapters of
the report deals with the subject OF army
secretary makes some most radical rec
concentrations. pointing out the mad
.cquacy of the present system, and i'm
sufiiciency of the force; Starting. with
.AiS P''ii'7c Aiitit LIZ ital oDiett Oh nav
ing an army is to provide for war and
that the regular army would never be by
itself the whole machine with which war
Will be fought, the secretary proceeds; to
outline a scheme of reform supported at
each stage by succinct argument to dem
onstrate its necessity. He LAYS down the
necessity of n systematic study by re-
sponsibie officers of plans of action un-
der. all contingencies of possible conflict
and points out the lamentablc disadvan-
tage we are at in this respect. as shown
H.,
with regard to the mobilization aud en-
campment and trainin. OF volunteer