Evening star., 1901-07-11
PERIOD OF POLITICAL QUIET.
The Administration Redecms Pledges
Concerning Island POssessiOrs.

From the New York SUM-
During the interval between elections
turning on some great question of national
principle or policy there is usually respite
from violent political controversy, more
| especially in the first two years after the
election of President. At the present
time, however, the absence Of such discus
sion is much more complete than ever be-
fore, so far as the great mass Of the intelli-
gent public is concerned.
Last year, and until very lately, news
papers and politicians busted themselves
with attempts to stir up passionate differ
ences over the policy adopted and pursued
| with reference to Cuba and our new insular
possessions, and they were not wholly un-
successful in provoking doubt and, to some
extent, remonStrance. Meantime however,
the common sense of the country has dis
covered that those questions are settling
themselves under the operation OF wise leg
isIation by Congress and of the patient and
judicious policy OF the President in it's exc
cution.
The settlement of the problem in the
Philippines in strict accordance with the
principles of our political system and with
full regard to the rights and the welfare of
the Inhabitants is now proceeding so sue
cessfully that the subject has ceased to
disturb our people and excite partisan con-
troversy outside of a small and unrepresen-
tative band of professional malcontents.
The platform on which Mr.. Bryan was
nominated at Kansas City a year ago de-
manded the prompt and honest fulfilment
of pledge to the Cuban people and the
world that the United States has no dis
position nor intention to exercise control
over the island (of Cuba) except for its
pacification.'' No such demand Is needed
now, for the establishment Of the Cuban
republic is proceeding actually, the Cuban
convention has accepted the Platt amend
ment, the necessary preliminary election
will be held, probably before the close of
drawn and the experiment of Cuba an
independent state will begin. Here there is
nothing to quarrel over.
In Porto Rico all the political elements
are united harmoniously In supporting the
policy Of the administration. When the
Foraker act, making provision for the levy
of a duty on certain articles for the benefit
of the island solely, was passed, about a
year ago, 1t was assaned as piece of out
rageous oppression, and by the Bryan plat
form 'as bold and open violation of the
nations organic law and fragrant breach
of the national good faith" But besides
providing that while in any event all duties
on articles passing between the island and
the United States shall cease after March
1, 1902, that act makes them to cease
whenever the legislative assembly of Por-
to Rico shall have enacted and put into
operation a system of local taxation to
meet the necessities of the government of
Porto Rico, by this act established"
special session Of the legislature is to con-
vene on the 4th of July to establish such a
system of internal taxation and secure the
stipulated free trade with us. The act has
worked WELL and having served its purpose
1t Will no longer operate. No material for
burning political issue can be gathered
there.