BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-07-08
SAN JUAN, JULY 8, 1901.
Editorial Comment.

Civil government was formally inaugur.
ated in the philippines on the fourth OF
the month amid Impressive ceremonies, when
Judge Taft and other district officials took
tie oath, and the system is now definitely
established and on trial before the world
The event does not, however, give great
promise of a speedy cessation of hoStllitles,
most army officers who have shared in the
insular campaigns aud have returned to
the United Stated, achere they have made
public statements of Their views, seem 10
unite in the opinion that the war is stlli
Of uncertain character and duration.
A large number OF natives remain under
arms in various parts of the Islands and are
Offering stubborn resistance to the Anne.
rican forces. The peculiar conformation OF
the county and the large native element
in sympathy with them makes it probable
that the insurgents may hold out for
very long period Meantime the expense
of the war is steadily mounting upward.
The lew Cuban election laws are liberal
in character and are based on universal
manhood suffrage There is much specula.
tion in all circles as to who is most likely
to be elected president and strong pressure
is being used to induce DR.. Tomas Estra-
da Palma to accept nomination, but 1t
is said he has so far refused
The signs point toward Gen. Max'mo
Gomez at the present time, who is noao
in the United States, but there are others
qcith strong claims and it is quite uncertain
as to who will be ultimately selected.
William Waldorf Astor, the self expa-
triated American, who went from New
York to London to live and soon attained
to unusual social prominence, which he
at er ward lost. through some otfense Offer'
ed to the Prince of Wales, as was report
ed, has been restored to favor since Edw-
ard assumed the crown.
There is much gossip as to the myste-
rious influence which has led to this result
Astor is very rich, be is the owner OF half
a hundred millions or mere, and he lives
in an ancient and historic seat which he
purchased some years ago. Here his vast
wealth enables him to give spectacular
entertainments in true Monte Christie style,
the lavish and glittering character OF whlch
dazzleS and attracts, not alone the hlgh
born British nobility, but royalty itself
Perhaps this alone is the secret OF Edw
ards restored favor though it is limited
there is somthiDg deeper.
Some three or four years ago meeting
of the accredited representatives, OF the cl-
vlized powers was held at the Hague, in
Holland, through the iniative of the Gar
of Russia, for the ayowed purpose of es-
tablishlng a permanent court of ;nterna-
tional arbitration in the interests OF univ
ersal peace. The ccnvocatlOn OF this I'M
portans council led many to believe that
he end of warfare was at hand.
How much came OF that promising as
selublage has been seen in the series of
wars which have followed it, two OF which
are still going on, ard also in the world
wide msr'isl prep aration now on foot among
the nations which participated in it.
The sincerity of Russia, through whose
primacy the congress was called, is seen
in the attitude of that country toward Fin.
land, where she is engaged in destroying
The national entity and smothefing lndivi-
dual liberty. the course taken by some
other powers IS scarcely less consistent.
1t must be an optimistic eye that can
see any hepe in the immediate future for
tee progress of arbitration or the coming