Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-02

cause of the continual revolutions In the
West Indies and Central America and
marks parliamentary stage of political de-
vel0pment.
As to Porto Rico.
To meet the case he suggests a statutory
declaration as to what laws shall be ex-
tended TO the Porto Ricans with provis-
ion for federal officers to execute them and
for federal judiciary with appeal to the
United States Supreme Court, There should
be form of local insular government sub
ject TO congressional limitation; a governor
appointed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate; the chief officers appointed
in like manner, and a Legislative council,
composed of the chief officers of the state
and a minority selected by the President
from the citizens Of the island The mu-
inequalities are to he governed by mayors
and councils elected by them, with officers
subject 70 removal by the governor. It
would be better to walt for a time before
an elective legislature is permitted. Suf-
frage should be limited TO those who read
and write own a small amount of prop
erty. Porto RiCans should be chosen for
offices they are able TO fill. American Off
barcst necessities and should then be cho-
sen by civil service methods. Education
should be at the cost Of the community,
betrayed from the lnsular treasury. and If
necessary. assisted by the United States.
The Spanish civil code should be continued
in force with such radical notifications as
experience suggests. Inc secretary says
that the trouble has not been that the law
was defective vicious but that 1t was
never fairly and honestly administered. Any
attempt to substitute in these southern
islands a system Of laws based on the eN-
perienCe and characteristics of a New Eng
land community would be both oppressive
and futile. It Is pointed out that a SINH
lar course to that above outlined was sue
cessfully followed by ourselves in Louisiana
and by the English in Lower Canada.
The Secretary says 1t ia essential that
Porto Rico should receive substantially the
same treatment at our hands as she re-
ceived from Spain while a colony, and that
the markets of the United States should be
opened to her as were the markets of
Spain and Cuba before the transfer Of
allegiance.
The Control of Cuba.
Concerning Cuba the report says the con-
troll which we are exercising in trust for
the people Of Cuba should not, and, of
course will not, be continued any longer
than is necessary to enable the people to
establish a suitable government to which
the control shall be transferred, which
shall really represent the people of Cuba
and be able to maintain order and dis
charge International obligations. That
government when established must solve
for Cuba the problems we are to solve as to
Porto Rico. The conduct of the Cuban
people is said to be admirable. There have
been agitatOrs, but the substantial body of
educated Cubans have shown themselves to
he patrlOtict appreClatNe ana nelp1ul, Wnlle
the great body of uneducated Cubans have
been patient and law abiding. 1t is pointed
out that the inability of two-thirds Of the
people to read and write, their lack of ex-
perience in government and the fractional
feeling left by bloody conflicts make it
necessary to proceed somewhat slowly in
the formation of a government The Secre-
tary then made the statement about the
near approach of the transfer of the con-
troll of affairs to the people of Cuba.
Operations in the Philippines.
With regard to the operations in the
Philippines the report again points out that
the outbreak of last February was pro-
yOked by the insurgents themselves, and
was, from our standpoint unavoidable,
Frequent reference is made to the report
of General Otis to show the magnitude of
the task set for him with the inadequate
forces at his command when the outbreak
came, and a high tribute is paid to the
courage of the troops who, in the face of
great hardships, voluntarily consented to
forego immediate return tn their homes
upon the expiration of their terms of ser
vice The history of the operations of the
past season is recounted and the Secretary
outlines the plan of the present campaign
which began III October. All the move
ments were executed with energy, rapidty
and success. Notwithstanding deluges of
rain. II is said that wherever the perma-
nent occupation Of our troops has extended
in the Philippines, civil law has been put
in operation, courts have been established
and education introduced, until at present
in Manila there are better facilities for
primary education than ever before.
Extended statement as to government in
the Philippines Is waived because of the
full report which will be presented by the
Philippine commission. Reference is made
to the negotiation by General Bates of the
treaty with the Sultan of Sulu. and it is
pointed out that it is not only subject to
congressional approval, but the sultan has
been informed that such approval did not
carry with it the consent of the United