New-York tribune., 1900-10-25

fed the starving clothed the naked and min
istered to the sick. We have improved the
sanitary condition of the island We have slim
ulated industry introduced public education,
and taken full and comprehensive enumera-
ton of the inhabitants. The qualification Of
electors has been settled and under it officers
have been chosen for all the municipalities of
Cuba. These local governments are now in
operation administered by the people. Our mill
tary esta blishment has been reduced from forty
three thousand to less than six thousand
An election has been ordered, to be held on
September 10, under fair election law already
tried in the municipal elections, to choose mem
bers of a constitutional convention, and the
convention, by the order, is to assemble
on the first Monday of November to frame con-
stitution upon which independent govern
ment for the island will rest. All this is long
step in the fulilment of our sacred guarantees
to the people of Cuba.
THE RULE OF PORTO RICO.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title the
Philippines The Treaty of Peace which ceded
us the one conveyed to the other. Congress
has given to this island a government in which
the inhabitants participate, elect their own
Legislature enact their own local laws provide
their own system of taxation, and in these re
spects have the same power and privileges en-
United States. and a much larger measure of
self-government than given to the inhabi-
tants of Louisiana under Jefferson a District
Court of the United States for Porto Rico has
been established and local courts have been in
augurated, all of which are in operation. The
generous treatment of the Porto Ricans ac-
cords with the most liberal thought of our own
country and encourages the best aspirations of
the people of the island. While they do not
have instant free commercial intercourse with
the United States, Congress complied with my
recommendation by removing, on the first day Of
May last, S5 per cent Of the duties and provid-
ing for the removal of the remaining 10 per
cent on March l. 1902. earlier If the Legis-
lature Of Porto Rico shall provide local reve-
nues for the expenses of conducting the Gov
ernment. During this intermediate period
Porto Rican products coming into the United
States pay a tariff of 10 per cent of the rates
under the Dingley act. and our goods going to
Porto Rico pay like rate. The duties thus
paid and collected both in Porto Rico and the
United States are paid to the Government of
Porto Rico, and part thereof is taken by
the National Government All of the duties
from November 1, 1898. to June 80 1900 ag-
gregatirg the sum of 81, 1850, ,523 81 paid al the
custom houses in the United States upon Porto
Rican products under the laws existing prior
to the above mentioned act of Congress. have
gone into the Treasury of Porto Rico to relieve
the destitute and for schools and other public
purposes. In addition to this we have expended
for relief education and Improvement Of roads
the sum Of $1.513.OS4 90. The United States
military force in the island has been reduced
from 1000 to 1900. and native Porto Ricans
constitute for the part the local con-
stabulary.
Under the new law and the inauguration of
civil government there has been a gratifying re-
yival of business. The manufactures of Porto
Rico are developing; her imports are increasing;
her tariff is yielding increased returns; her
fields are being cultivated; free schools are be-
ing established. Notwithstanding the many
embarrassments incident to change of ma
tional conditions, she is rapidly showing the
good effects of her new relations to this Nation
THE STATUS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
For the sake of full and intelligent under
standing Of the Philippine question. and to give
to the people authentic information of the acts
and aims OF the Administration. l present at
some length the events OF Importance leading