Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-23
ISLAND GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. Reds Wives Similar to InsuIar
Commissions Recomme ations.

Mr.. Whitelaw Reid, in his address on ex-
pansion at Princeton Saturday, spoke as
follows in regard to the Philippines and
the policy to be pursued toward the inhab
itants of those islands:
Il venture to say ttat neither our duty
nor our interest will permit us to stop short
of a pacificaton which can only end in
the establishment of such local self-govern-
ment as the people are found capable of
conducting. and its extension just as far
and as fast the people prove fit for it.
THE natural development thus to be ex-
pected would probably proceed safely along
the lines of least resistance, about in this
order: First, and till entirely clear that II
is no longer needed, military government
Next the rule of either military or civil
governors for a considerable time, prob
ably the former), relying gradually more
and more on native agencies Thirdly, the
development of dependencies. with an
American civil governor, with their foreign
relations and their highest courts controll
ed by us, and their financial system largely
managed by members of a rigidly organized
and jealousy protected American civil serv-
ice, but in most other respects steadily be-
coming more ef-governing. And finally
autonomous colonies, looking to US for lit
tie save the control of their foreign uela-
lions, profiting by the stability and order
the backing of powerful nation guaran-
tees: cultivating more and more intimate
trade and personal relations with that ma
ton, and coming to feel themselves par
Elephants of its fortune and renown.
If Congress should take as long a time
for action to study the problem as IL has
taken in the Sandwich Islands or even in
Alaska, the Presidents power would still
be equal to the emergency, and the policy
while flexible, could still be made as con-
inuous, coherent and practical as his best
information and ability would permit
Porto Rican Recommendations
tic 1F
ion, should be done in the Philippines is
commented upon here as about the same as
the recommendations made by the insular
commission in regard to Porto Rico. These,
if applied to that island, will be a prece-
dent for the Philippines soon as possess
sion is secured and our sovereignty is
acknowledged.
the proper course for the President to
pursue Is to promulgate proper laws for
Porto Rico and appoint civil governor, an
American; majority, at least, of the
Judges, the attorney general, United States
marshal and other heads of departments
Americans. As Mr.. Reid suggests, also
keeping the financial control, both collec-
lions and expenditures, in American hands;
gradually nstituting self-government as
fast as they are educated to it; giving TO
the local people the administration of af-
fairs In part, thus schooling them for the
work on American plans. The sooner this
is done the better it is claimed for all par
ues-better for Porto Ricans and better for
our own interests, thus quieting public seuti-
ment. This plan will not distrub or injure
our trade with them and give ample time
for Congress to study the situation and oh
serve the conduct of the people and learn
how rapidly they will show themselves
capable and deserving of more and greater
responsibilities looking toward permanent
status for them.
The President IS urged by the advocates
OF this policy to launch a civil govern
ment in Porto Rico at once, with wise Of
feials, and put the new system into inn
mediate effect, and let Congress 20 slow
in fixing the status" and in the meantime
observe the effect. AS this works or fails
We may judge the better what to do with
the Philippines when We reach that stage
with them.