New-York tribune., 1900-01-24

way more effectively than by establishing the
constitutional doctrine that all these islands are
already under the Constitution, entitled TO all
It's privileges and subject TO all it's checks upon
government. They want TO prove that the Re-
publicans have already tied their own hands,
and that their promise Of administering the
dlHereht estates as the needs of each may re-
quire is a hopeless deluson. Of course, if they
I should succeed they would not be rescuing this
/ country from the danger of Malay and Kanaka
partnership but would be only fixing the evil
firmly and permanently upon U.S. but if they
could arouse enough apprehension or indigna-
! ton at the idea of subecting American des-
TIMES to the voice of distant and foreign peo-
pies they might overturn the Republicans,
and they care more for power than patriotism.
Their policy is easily understood But why
should Republicans help them?
The proposed extension of the laws Of the
United States to Puerto Rico is sure TO help
them. 1t is the first step toward including
within the United States of the Constitution not
only the Philippines and all other islands
now own, but all lands which may hereafter at
any time fall to our hands. 1t means the con-
cessiOn by Republicans of the correctness of
the Democratic doctrine that all our posses
sions are held in trust for Statehood with the
rihlng reservation that there may be such
thing as temporary provisional government out
side the Constitution. Washington dispatches
say that Republicans who favor extending
American privileges TO Puerto Rico give as
surance that they will make no precedent and
hope TO secure for this plan supporters who
would not consent TO Incorporating Cuba or the
Philippines into the Union. But how can they
help its being a precedent? The persons who
hope to make Puerto Rico a State may keep
,1,,f,.
the next conner 10 walk in. There are advent
urerS enough who at a favorable minute will
want to exploit Cuba with the advantage Of
Statehood and home experience with the
readiness of both parties TO make rotten bor-
oughs which promise votes does not encourage
the hope that an offer of Senators from Luzon
would be no temptation TO hard pressed poll
ticians
If the United States is going to make a
cess OF managing distant possessions it must
not let their administration be made football Of
home politics or give their people an interest in
intriguing among different parties at Washing
ton. They must be held strictly as a trust
estate. AT present nobody would urge anything
else for Panay and Sulu, but future schemers
might have n different plan, and the only safe
course is to start right. 1t Is perfectly easy to
do this. Special laws for Puerto Rico can be
passed as easily as general laws of the United
States be extended. If the people who are
ready TO give Puerto Rico free trade but not
Cuba and the Philippines are wise they will
lock the barn before the horse is stolen They
will keep the laws of the United States of
America for the United States Of America and
as a preliminary TO the separate Philippine
laws admittedly necessary for the Philippines
will see that Congress enacts Puerto Rican laws
for Puerto Rico. Otherwise they might as we'll
adopt the Democratic doctrine and prepare to
welcome Malay States