Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-09-08
JOUR NEW POSSESSIONS.
President McKinley's Governmental
Plans for Hawaii, Porto Rico,
Cuba and the Philippines
The FIRST TWO TO Be TERRITORIES.
Cuba's Future May Be Independence or
AnnexatiOn-Porto Rico to Have
Territorial Form of Government-Three
Commissioners VIII for Time Rule
Affairs In the Philippines

Washington, Sept 5.-A press CORE
spondent has good authority for the
statement that the president has re-
turned to Washington with the follow
ing general ideas uppermost in his
mind as to his future course in relation
to the several new dependencies:
Philippines-Civil government by three COM
missioners, TO supplant the military immedi-
ately after the rebellion is crushed
Cuba-Continued military control until it is
determined by means OF a general election
whether the Inhabitants want independence or
annexation. II independence, the new govern
ment elected will be recognized by the United
States. will be given encouragement and every
opportunity to form its stability If annexa-
ton, the president will be governed by the
sentiment OF the American people as it may
then exist.
Porto Rfco-Civil government of the terri
torial form, similar 70 that which prevails in
Arizona.
Bawaii-Territorial form of government as
recommended by the Hawaiian commission and
as provided for in measure now pending in
congress.
1t has been generally supposed that
with the war still in progress in the
Philippines the president would avoid
committing himself as to recommends
tons for the future government of the
islands, but the correspondent is as
sured that such will not be the case
His Pittsburgh speech leaves no room
for doubt that he will insist upon per-
manent American control of the archi-
pelago. To this extent he has come
out squarely on the Philippine ques-
ton. He not only favors this perma-
nent control, but is prepared with all
the forces at his command to fight for
it.
But to avoid as far as possible the
charge of militarism he purposes out
lining plan to congress for substitute
ing civil form of government for the
military the moment peace is obtained
and the complete supremacy of the
United States established. Future dis
cuSsions with his cabinet may change
somewhat his views as to the form of
civil government best suited to meet
the situation, but at present the COM
mission idea predominates.
1t is urged that it will be some years
before the archipelago is ripe for even
territorial form of government, such
as is proposed for Porto Rico; so that
con- troll by commissioners, much the
same as the District of Colum bia is
governed. is deemed by the president a
happy substitute for military govern
ment under safe and simple means of
control preliminary to the establish
ment of territorial form of government
when it may be possible to give the
natives generally the right OF suffrage.
The plan under consideration con-
templates three commissioners an
army officer, to have charge of fiscal
affairs; another naval officer, to have
control of customs, and a third, lead
ing Filipino of legal experience to look
after the judiciary-all three to be APP
pointed by the president and confirmed
by the senate.
Further details contemplate giving
the Filipinos voice in all municipal
affairs and the most liberal self-gov-
eminent possible under the plan pro
posed by the president.