The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-06
PROGRESS IN OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.

Recent dispatches from our new island
possessions show a condition of affairs that
should make Americans proud of their
country and government. 1t can be as
serted without fear of successful contra
diction that no other country or govern
ment ever made as much history to he
proud of in the same length of time as the
United States has done since the present
era of territorial expansion began. The
period covers a little over two years. dating
from the formal of Hawaii July
Z. 1898. AT that time the war with Spain
was i'm full progress without any indication
that it would end in the acquisition of more
islands But the process of expansion begun
with the voluntary annexation of Hawaii
was TO be materially accelerated a few
months later by the acquisition as a neces-
sary result of the war of Porto Rico snd
the Philippines. No other period of TWEEN
ty-nine months in the history of the world
was ever crowded with events of more far
reaching Importance or brought greater
credit to any nation This statement does
not refer to our victories during the war.
~ ~ 1oOcC III liz ndI-tO lit DTORTeSS
made in establishing free government where
only corrupt tyranny in it's worst forms
had existed before, and in bestowing civil
and religious liberty upon peoples who had
never before known anything of either.
How great this progress has been is shown
by some statements In the Presidents re-
cent message to Congress and in late dis
where Spanish rule did not have to be
rooted out. the population has increased
Al per cent. and, says the President, there
has been marked progress in the educa-
tional. agricultural and railroad develop
ment Of the islands, In Porto Rico he
reports the civil government established by
the last Congress as in successful opera
ton. THE courts have been established.
The Governor and his associates, working
intelligently and harmoniously. are meet
ing with commendable success In the
Philippines, although some disaffection and
disorder still exist. civil government, home
rule and American administrative methods
have been established in the greater part
OF the islands and will soon prevail in every
part. The lines of disorder are rapidly con-
tracing and the area of American sover-
eighty and law extending. The President,
abiding to the Philippine commission.
says:
As early as Aug. q. 1900. il submitted a
preliminary report, which will be laid be-
fore the Congress. and from which il an
pears that already the good effects Of re-
turning order are felt: that business, in
terrupted by hostilities, is improving as
peace extends; that a larger area is under
sugar cultivation than ever before; that
the customs revenues are greater than at
any time during the Spanish rule: that
economy and efficiency in the military add
ministration nave created a surplus fund
of $S,Oo0,c 600 available for needed public inn
provementS that a stringent civil-service
law Is in preparation; that railroad COM
munications are expanding. opening up
rich districts. and that a comprehensive
scheme of education Is being organized.
Later reports from the commission show
! vet more encouraging advance towards in
Surfing the benefits OF liberty and good
| government 10 the FilipinOs In the interest
of humanity and with the aim OF building
up an enduring, seiI-supporting and self
administering community In those far East
ern seas.
IL the President, who has better Informal
ton and greater responsibility In the mat
ter tina anybody else. can take this op-