The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-08-23


 failure on the stream of our success; and so, as is apt to be out way, We do not think of it at all Yet it is well worth while to think of it, and it is pleasant to learn by an experience which teaches us what to follow instead of what to aoid. First and foremost, in Porto Rico, we have consistently striyen to get the very best men to administer the affairs of the island. It is desirable throughout our public service to secure a high standard of efficiency and integ- rity. But after all, here at home we always have in our own hands the rem edy for any failure to provide such qualities. In far off island things are different. There wrong doing is more easy and those who suffer from it are more helpless; while there is less eff cient check fin the way of that public opinion to which public men are sensi- tive. In consequence, the administra- tion of those islands is beyond all other kinds of administration in our country the one in which the highest standard must be demanded. In making appoint ments to the insular service. it is neces- sary to disregard any question or mere party eXpediency and to look at the matter solely from the standpoint of the honor of our own nation and of the welfare of the island itself. This has been the standpoint adhered to in se- lecting the men who represent our gov- ernment in Porto Rico-governor, treas urer, attorney general judges, superin- fa of aEJ,, Tn consequence all Americans should feel real pride in the way in which their compatriots who are responsible for the government of the island had admin istered it. Moreover, in shaping the government of the island we have acted with good sense as we'll as with good faith. We have not been frightened or misled into giving the people of the isl- and form of government unsuitable to them; and while providing that they should govern themselves so far as possible, we have not hesitated ill their own interest to keep the power of shap- ing their destiny.
 In Cuba the problem was larger, more complicated and more difficult. Here again we kept our promise ab- solutely. After having delivered the island from it's oppressors, we refused to turn it loose off-hand with the cer- tainty that it would sink into chaos and savagery. For over three years we administered it on plane higher than it had ever reached before during the four centuries since the Spaniard first landed upon it's shores. We brought moral and physical cleanliness into the government. We stamped out yellow fever--in itself an inestimable service 1 both to the Cuban people and to the people of our own southern states, We established a school system. We made 1 life and property secure, so that indus | try could again begin to thrive. Then when we had laid deep and broad the foundations upon which civil liberty and national independence must rest, we turned the islands over to the hands of those whom the people had chosen as 1 the founders of the new republic. It I is a republic with which our own great republic must ever be closely knit by the ties of common interests and com mon aspirations, Cuba must always be peculiarly related to us in interna- tional politics. She must in interna- tional affairs beato a degree part of our, political system. In return she must have peculiar relations with us economically. She must be in sense part of our economic system. We ex- pect her to accept political attitude toward us which we think wisest both fa,, I1 vN6 In, rnf c be prepared to put her in an economic position as regards our tariff system which will gie her. some measure of the prosperity which we enjoy. We can not, in my judgment, aoid taking this attitude if we are to persevere in the course which we have outlined for our selves as a nation during the past foul years; and, therefore, I believe that il l is only a matter of time-and I trust only matter of very short time-be- fore we enter into reciprocal trade re- lations with Cuba.
 The isthmian canal represents what is probably to be the greatest engineer ing feat--the greatest feat of the kind-- of the twentieth century. Before we start upon the construction of the canal certain questions of detail and of oul relations with the people owning the soil have to be settled. When this has been done the first question will come upon choosing the commission which is to supervise the building of the canal Here again we have to deal With an en- terprise so vast and so far-reaching in it's effects that but one thought is per missibe-how to get the very best men | in the nation, the men of the highest engineering and business and admins trative skill, who will consent to under l take the work If possible, should like to see these men represent different sections and different political parties But these questions are ec2ndaryi The primary aim must be to get men who though able to control much greater salaries than the nation is able to pay nevertheless possess the patriotism and the healthy ambition which will make them willing to put their talents at the governments disposal.
 So much for what has been done il1 the Occident. In the Orient the labol wes more difficult.
 It is rare indeed that a great work, 6 work supremely worth doing, can bs