The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-05

grants fit in the end to assume thf
duties and burdens Of full American
citizenship Our aim must be to de-
velop the territory on the same basis
OF stable citizenship as exists on this
continent.
I earnestly advocate the adoption OF
legislation which VIII confer American cit
iz,Hship on all citizens 0f Porto 7sicG.
There is. in my judgment. excuse for
failure to do this. The harboF of San Juan
should be dredged and improved. The ex-
pe1ses 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 legisla-
ture should meet in session every two
years. The present form of government
in Porto Rico, which provides for the ap-
pointment by the president of the mem
beFs of the executive council or upper
house of the legislature, has proved salts
factory and has inspired confidence in
property owners and investors. I do not
deem it advisable at the present time 10
The problems and needs of the island are
industrial and commercial rather than
political.
Insular Affairs in General.
I wish also to call the attention of con-
gress to one question which affects our
insular possessions generally; namely:
the need of an increased liberality in the
treatment of the whole franchise question
in these islands. In the proper desire to
prevent the islands being exploited by
SPECTATORS and to have them develop IN
the interest of their own people an error
has been made in refusing to grant Suffi-
ciently liberal terms to induce the invest
ment of American capital in the Philip
pines and in Porto Rico. Elsewhere in
this message I have spoken strongly
against the jealousy of mere wealth, and
especially OF corporate wealth as such.
But it is particularly regrettable to allow
any such jealousy to be developed when
we are dealing either with our 1nSular Or
with foreign affairs The Dig corporation
has achieved its present position ia the
business world simply because it is the
instrument
competition. In foreign affairs we can
not afford to put our people at a disad-
vintage with their competitors by in any
way discriminating against the ehieiency
of our. business organizations. In the
same way we can not afford to allow our
lnSular possessions 10 lag beh1nd IN IN
dustrIal development from any twisted
jealousy of business success. It is, of
course, mere truism to say that the
business interests Of the islands will only
be developed IL ii becomes the financial
interest of somebody to develop them. yet
this development is one Of the things
most earnestly to be wished for in the in
terest of the islands themselves. We have
been paying all possible heed to the po-
Gtical and educational interests of the is
lands, but important though these OBJ
jects are, it is not less important that we
should favor their industrial development.
The government can in certain ways help
this dirsctly. as by building good roads;
but the fundamental and vital help must
be given through the development OF the
industries of the islands, and a most eff
ficient means to This end is to encourage
tries in them and this means to make it
advantageous for them to do so. To limit
the ownership of mining claims as has
been done in the Philippines is absurd. In
both the PhiEpptT-eS and Porto Rico the
limit of holdings of land should be large
ly raised.
I earnestly ask that Alaska be given
an elective delegate Some person should
be chosen who can speak with authority
OF the needs of the territory. The gov
ernmCnt should aid in the construction
of a ram DAD fran tlie Gulf of Alaska. 70
the Eks-n river. IN AZ elican territo-4s
In my last tsSO messages advocated Ger
tain add;sCPaI a uen on behalf of Alas
ka-I shall not now repeat these recOmnaen-
siatiOHs. / at sl.;iil lay a. my stress upon
the one recommends of giving IN
A.aska some one authorized to steak e..
it, I should prefer that the delegate vas
made elective, but if this is not deemed
wise then hake him appointive At any
rate, give Alaska some person whose bus
mess it snail he to speak with al1tllt,l,f.5
on her behalf to the congress. The na9fi
raj Iclources of Alaska are great S..n,.,
Of tie chief needs of the peculiarly eraes.
getic, self-reliant, and typicaIIy Anlerfc9,,
white population of Alaska were SET fe,-fI,
in my last message. I also earnestIy' a si-
your attention to the needs of the Az
kan Indians. All Indians who are con-.