The Portland daily press., 1900-04-13
Porto RicO's First Chief Executive
Under New Law.
Sails For Island Satur-
day Next.
Selection of Cabinet Deferred
For Time.

Washington, April R.-Cherles II.
Allen, az present assistant secretary Of
the navy, will be the first civil governor
Of Porto Rico, under the provisions Of the
bill passsd yesterday BY the Houss OF
Reprssent atives While the formal tender
aad acceptance Of the position cannot be
made until the president signs the bill
IL 10 known that Mr.. Mckinley has been
bringing pressure TO induce Mr.. Allen to
relipquiah the care OF bis considerable
private interests for sufficient time at
least to install the new civil government
In the island and tie latter mas consented
to assume the new responsibilities. Inas-
mush as the act takes effect on the first
OF next month there Is hut little time left
in which 10 outline . skeleton form Of
government including the formation Of
cabinet. 1t IL understood that the new
government will be taken 10 Porto Rico
IN one Of the finest vessels Of the navy.
lrowari the close Of the afternoon Mr..
Allen was summoned to the white HOUSE
by the President and the formal tender
of the post was made. Mr.. Allen praoti-
cally accepted the position. Then the
President and the next governor of Porto
Rico spent an hour In close conference re-
spsotine the matters to be arraigned' In
the immediate future. Owing to the fact
that little more than two weeks time in
tervenes before the OWL government must
go into operation, according to the terms
of the act Of Congress, 10 was decided that
10 would not be practicable to complete
the cabinet Of the governor in that tims.
Therefore Mr.. Allen will go alone TO San
Juan at the earliest possible moment af-
ter Secretary Longs return to Washing
ton which should be Saturday next. He
will not be accompanied BY Mrs. Allen
on his first trip to bis new post. Arriving
In Porto Rico. Mr.. Allsn, who will carry
his commission as governor with him,
will put himself in touch with General
Davis, now military governor Of the island
and srend . short time In acquainting
him self With insular affairs and studying
the character OF the men who present
themselves to his notice as proper materi-
al fux members OF the new cabinet.
While the actual appointment Of
thes, officials will devolve upon
the President Mr.. Aliens observations
while In Porto Rico are expected to ma
tsrially assist In the selections.
As soon as he shall have established
himself aud gained the knowledge he
seeks, Governor Allen will return to the
United States. 1t may be that he will
leave General Davis In charge during his
absence, but in case 1t shall have been
Sunua roasthl. az ron, pIafa tho form atiou
Of the cabinet or ven II any one member
shall have been appo inted. then that per-
son will act rs temporary governor. As
to his Intentions, respecting the admipis-
trAtIon of the islands affairs, Mr.. Allen
disclosed these during q short interview
Ia the course Of which he said:
"It 10 true the President has asked
ne to 20 to Porto Rico. as the civil
governor. regard this tender In the
spirit In which IL Is made rs a great
compliment, although its acceptance
means undertaking grave responsibilities.
"My own inclination and my personal
Interests urge me to decline; but one
should not always choose the easy way;
there is patriotic duty sometimes to bs
~ O1h oAAAhBo 'AJ
in such a way as to enable me to do so,
shall accept the position, and shall then
be ready to start at once for this post OF
duty.
"My effort will be to administer the
government provided by Congress in such
= manner as to command and hold the
con ndence Of the people; to help them SO
far as l may. 20 realize the hest there is
In them and to assist them in this de-
Velopmsnt of the island, along the lines
which have made us such . prosperous
nation. My deep regret Ii leaving the navy
department.; my service there has been
OF the happiest sort, and the attachments
for ms1 there viii always remain . pleas
ant memory"