Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1905-12-14

MAKING proylslon Tor free trade between the
Islands and the United states, however, Will be
of great Importance from a political and senti-
mental standpoint; and while Its actual bene-
tit has doubtless been exaggerated by the peo-
pie Of the Islands, they viii accept this meas
ure OF Justice an indication that the people
of the Emitted states are anxious 10 aid the peo-
pie OF the Philippine Islands In every way. I
and especially In the agricultural development
without injuring interests I'm America.
The President urges that immediate
steps be taken for the fertilization OF
Hawaii and the development of the
territory on traditional American
lines. Admission of Chinese labor
under statute restrictions is con-
demned as leading to a status OF SER
Witty which, the message declares.
can never again be tolerated on Amer
lean soil. The President says: Our
aim must be to develop the territory
on the same basis of stable citizen
ship as exists on this continent"
Porto Rico.
Dealing with the affairs OF Porto
REQ, the President says:
I earnestly advocate the adoption Of legisls-
ton which will explicitly confer American citi-
enship on all citizens Of Porto Rico. There 10,
this. The harbor of San Juan should be dredged
and improved. The expenses of the Federal
court Of Porto Rico should be met from the
Federal treasury, and not from the Porto Rican
treasury. The elections In Porto Rico should
take place every four years. and the legiss-
ture should meet in session every two years
The present form of government in Porto Rico
which provides for the appointment by the
President OF the members of the executive coun-
ell or upper house of the legislature, has proved
satisfactory and has inspired confidence In
property owners and Investors. l do not deem
It advisable at the present time to change this
form in any material feature. The problems
and needs of the island are industrial and COM
mercial rather than political.
Discussing the needs of Alaska, the
President recommends that the terri
tory be given an elective delegate
who will be able to speak with au-
thority on the needs of that section
of our country. The message con-
cludes:
Admission to Statehood.
I recommend that Indian Territory and Okla.
homa be admitted as one State and that New
Mexico and Arizona be admitted as State.
There is obligation upon US to treat ter
ritorial subdivisions. which are matters Of con-
venlence only, binding us on the question Of
admission to statehood. Nothing has taken up
more time IN the Congress during the past few
years than the question Us to the statehood to
be granted to the four Territories above mem
toned and after careful consideration of all
has been developed In the discussions
the question | recommend that they be i'm
mediately admitted two States. There 10
no justification for further delay; and the ad.
visibility of making the four Territories Int
two States has been clearly established.
In some of the Territories the legislative as
semblies issue licenses for gambling The
the harmful results OF which obvious at q
glance.
The Panama Canal.
The treaty between the United States ana
the Republic Of Panama, under which the
construction OF the Panama canal was made
possible, went into effect with its ra tincation
by the United States Senate Feb. %, 1904.
The canal properties OF the French Canal Com
April %. 1904. on payment OF $40, 100000 to
that company. On April l. 1905, the Commits
sion was recognized. and 1t now consists Of
Theodore p. Shouts. chairman. Charles e. Ma
goon Benjamin NJ. Harrod, Rear-Admiral Nor
decai I. Endcott, Bryce Peter C. Hams.
and Col Oswald H. Ernst. John F. Stevens
Active work in canal construction. mainly pre-
paratory, has been In progress for less than a
year and a half During that period two points
about the canal have ceased to be open to de.
bate. First, the question Of route; the canal
will be built on the lsthmus of Panama. Sec
| ond. the question of feasibility; there no
physical obstacles this route that American
| engineering skill will not be able to overcome
without serious difficulty, that will prevent
| the completion of the canal within reason
| able time and at a reasonable cost. This In
virtually the unanimous testimony OF the en-
ElhVSlS WIN nuNe inNestlButeu tne iVh
the government
The point which remains unsettled is the
| question OF type whether the canal shall be
one of several locks above sea level, or at sea
| level with single tide lock. On this point
| hope to lay before the Congress at an early day
| the findings OF the Advisory Board of Ameri-
can and European Engineers, that at my. invi-
| tation have been considering the subject, to-
| Gether with the report OF the commission there
| on; and such comments thereon or recommended
| lions In reference thereto as may seem neceh-
| sary.
The American people is pledged to the speed
| lest possible construction of a canal adequate
| to meet the demands which the commerce Of
| tn, world will make upon It, and appeal most
| earnestly to the Congress to aid in the fulfill
ment Of the pledge. Gratifying progress has
| been made during the past year and especially
during the past four months. The greater part
| of the necessary preliminary work has been
done. Actual work OF excavation could be be-
gun only on limited scale till the canal zone
| was made a beautiful place to live in and to
work In. The tsthmus had to be sanitated
first. This task has been so thoroughly accom-
plished that yellow fever has been virtually
extirpated from the lsthmus and general health
conditions vastly improved. The same methods
which converted the island of Cuba from pest
hole, which menaccd the health Of the world.
into a healthful place OF abode. have been APP
piled on the isthmus with satisfactory results.
There is no reason to doubt that when the
of Panama and Colon and the large labor camps
have been fully carried out, the isthmus win
be, FOR the tropics. an unusually healthy place
OF abode. The work is so far advanced now
that the health OF all those employed In canal
work is as well guarded as 1t is on similar
work In this country and elsewhere.
| What is needed now and without delay is an
appropriation by the Congress to meet the cur.
rent and accruing expenses OF the commission.
The hrst appropriation of $40, 900, out OF
the Sl35 900 900 authorized by the Spooner act.
was made three years ago. 1t Is nearly ex'
| hausted. There is barely enough OF II remain
ing to carry the commission to the end OF the
year. Unless the Congress shall appropris Il
before that time all work must cease. To ar
rest progress for any length OF time now. wheu
matters are advancing so satisfactorily, would
| be deplorabe. There will be money with
which to meet payroll obligations and none
with which to meet bills coming due for ma
terials and supplies; and there will be democrat
lzaton Of the forces, here and the isthmus
working tremendously and effectively
II there Is delay in granting emergency ap
preparation. Estimates OF the amount neces
sary will be found In the accompanying re
ports OF the Secretary Of War and the CON
mission.
Department Of State.
Neither at home abroad is there a suf
ncient working force to do the business properly
In many respects the system which was ads
Quate to the work OF twenty-five, or even ten,
years ago. Is inadequate now. and should he
changed. our consular force should he classi.