Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-12-09
Puerto nico The Simplest Problem


lie takes up Puerto Rico first as
presenting the simplest problem, and
after discussing the political eondi-
tions there, emphasizing the ignorance
6f the peeple of any nlodert1 ststknd of
government, he holds that they shoiild
be provided with the kind Of admins
tration TO which we have been accum-
lomed; with Just as mich paftiGfpa-
tion on their part as is possible with
out enabling their ineXperienee TO
make il ineffective and with opporuni-
ty for them 10 increase their capacity
for government.
He suggests a statutory declaration
as to what laws should be extended TO
the Puerto Ricans, with provisions for
federal' officers TO execute them and
for a federal judiciary with appeal to
the Cnitcd States supreme court.
There should be form OF local in
sular government subject TO congress
siohal limitationi a governor appoint
ed by the president and confirmed by
the senate, the chief officers lppolnttd
i'm like manner, and a legislative counf
cil composed of the chief officers OF
the state and minority elected by the
The municipalities are to be governed
by mayors aud councils elected by
them, with officers subject 10 removal
by the governor. II would he better to
wait for Il time before an elective leg
islature is permitted. Suffrage shdrld
be limited 10 those who read and write
or own a small amount of property.
Puerto Ricans should be chosen for
Offices they are able to fill. American
officials Should be limited in number
to the bSrcst necessities and should
then he chosen by civil service meth
ods Education should be at the cost
of the community, betrayed from the
insular treasury and if 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 laid on the industrial
distress resulting from the inability
OF the Puerto Ricans TO market their
goods owing 10 the withdrawal Of the
sbanish market; which was their fori
mer reliance, and to Our own tariff:
The secretary says il is essential that
the markets of the United States
should be opened to Puerto Rico as
were the markets Of Spain and Cuba
before the transfer of allegiance.
Govrr,imcnt OF Ciibn.
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 be, con-
tinued any longer than is necessary TO
enable the people TO establish "A suit
able government TO which the control
shall be transferred, which shall real
ly represent the people Of Cuba and
he able 10 maintain order and dls-
charge International obligations.
II ip pointed out that the inability or
t&o-thirds Of the people 20 read ana
write, their lack 'of expenfieqce IN COY
ernment, ard tile faCtional feeling lett
by bloody conflicts make II necessary to
proceed somewhat slowly In the fdrnla-
ton of a government. 1t Is said that by
the termination of the year allowed py
treaty for the Spanish population 10 eject
whether to become Cubans or remain
Spaniards. IL will be for the Spaniards Tor
the first time possible To become citizens
entitled 10 take part In that government.
By April II the census Will have been
completed and we shall be ready TO pro-
vide for municipal elections, placing tne
local government In the hands or the CIT,
liens, and these local governments Will
form representative convention 10
frame a constitution and provide for a
general government Of the, island 10
which the United States VIII surrender
the rens of government. The secretary
dcyotes some attention to the unfortunate
plight of the Cuban sugar producers oW-
ing To the competition of European Deet
sugar, with possible free sugar from
Puerto Rico and discriminating duties IN
favor of other West Indian sugar lie
suggests as curative measure some
tarifi arrangement by which Cuban prod
no iu1nnFlp1
States on the same terms as those pro-
posed for Jamaica in the pending reel
proCity treaty.
Extended statement is waived as to the
government in the Philippines because OF
the full report which will be presented
by the Philippine commission
Treaty With sultan OF Su'u.
Reference is made to the negotiations
by General Bates OF the treaty with the
sultan of Sulu, and II is pointed out that
II is not only subject to congressional APP
prevail but the sultan has been Informed
that such approval did not carry with 1t
the consent of the United States to the
existence OF slavery In the Islands.
A strong recommendation Is made Tor
the laying of Pacific cable az matter
Of great military and political impor-
at not exceeding $S50OO0O, running by
way Of Hawaii, Wake Island ana Guam
from San Francisco to Manila.
The secretary deals I'm a forceful man
ltf WIN the SuDItCi Oh post tANItIS'N'
lie expresses his agreement with the con-
StruCtion of the statute on this point laid
down by the attOrncy-general, ana pro-
iuCcs statistics from the United states
forces at posts and elsewhere TO show
hat the overwhelming testimony OF the
army Is to the effect that the present
'eguation has promoted temperance, dis
,ipine, morals and health OF the enlisted
men, and that in the interest Of morality
lEd effective service 1t should be re-
aimed,
the secretary, while char
,cterizing the estimates as generally
states that he has felt II
In view of extraordinary APP
,ropriations for military purposes, to re-
luce the estimates Of the chief Of engi-
leers from $21 ,9062Sl TO $l4,993,74l.
other recommendations are that Gen
raj Shafter should be retired with the
ank of major-gcneral; that statue of
apital; that the railroad bridge should
q built across the Potomac at Airing
on with a road connecting Arlington
With Mt. Vernon, and that q national !
ark be constructed over the battledclds |
f Fredericksburg, Salem church, Chan |
ellorsVille, the Wilderness and Spottsyl- |
ania court house at n cost OF about !
So, COO
Army Reorganization.
one Of the most important chapters of |
he report deals with the subject OF army |
ecretary makes some most radical rec |
pointing out the mad |
quacy of the present system, and in |
of the force. Starting with |
he premise that the real object of hav-
lg an army is to provide for war, and |
hat the regular army would never be by |
self the whole machine with which war |
Ill be fought, the secretary proceeds to |
utline a scheme of reform supported at |
ach stage by succinct argument to dem !
nstrate its necessity. He lays down the |
ecessity of Il systematic study by re- |
ponsible officers of plans of action un- |
er all contingencies of possible conflict, |,
nd points out the lamentable disadvan- |
age we are at In this respect. as shown !
Y our past experience, more especially |
'ith regard To the mobilization and en- !
ampment and training of volunteer |
roops. Next there should be ample |
reparation OF material OF war keeping |
ace with the progress Of military sell |
nee and avoiding the state OF unpre-
aredness in which we were found ut the