New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-10
sre0S OF THE ISLANDS.
--
MITES OF 4 BUREAU.
BUREAU.
,,....f Method of Handling Iasas-
= 1fairs Unsatisfactory.
- 80 Trlbuns 80

nac e.-There has fer some time
Hssn'ns-o,pr sentiment in Congress that
hssa : .,,,-f be done 20 further the inter-
sozis-l., -, Tieo. Guam. Hawaii. and possibly
ssts g As,ia1iv To facilitate the transaction
Asss1' live details affecting these pos
q sesl mere has even been some talk Of
ssssie's nepartnent OF Insalar Affairs. but
5rsa 1n ne. has net with little announcement
taa' - deemed desirable to enlarge the Cab
q Is doubtful if the present neeessi-
ias- =. s,,ficiently numerous to warrant such
hovever. the belief that something
- done appears TO be taking tangible
sl2 the proposition to increase the person
s's's = ~ existing Bureau OF lnsular Affairs
var Department. and conflde to il the
2. sech administrative work connected with
sessions named as it may be necessary
.,.-,orrn in Washington.
,pssert Alaska and Hawaii are cared for
- Interior Department, while Guam and
- pieo are cared for by the War Depart
T-ader this arrangement Alaska and Ha-
.1nssr 70 fare reasonably well, but resi-
- both places insist that much more could
= sone 70 further their interests than Is now eff
-. that there is lack of system in pre-
..,,sar 10 Congress their respective needs, and
.s.+ he existence of an official who would de-
- his efforts solely to their interests and to
.sosz Of she Philippines would unquestionably
.-r-s 70 their material advantage
po-,o Rioans are especially insistent on some
.,-.ssr provisions for their welfare and to
.-~s extent the interests of little Guam might
: nroraoi & to advantage.
RE 1etitions and requests Of these islands
=. nsr supposed TO be cared for by the Secre-
- If var and citizens of these islands are
,.ssslled to appeal to him for anything they
-,sr rsossi-e OF the federal governuent-an ar
-.,-sment which imposes an understandable
.r,s,.pt Of detail on the Secretary and which
.ssn i fraught with difficulties to Porto Ricans
I'D ethars. because the Secretary is an ex-
.-s-ssr busy man, TOO often unable to find the
,ins properly 10 consider and attend to mat
sss Eblch. compared with his other duties, are
n rriR5r Importance although they may be re-
es-sss as of the gravest Importance by the peo-
pie interested.
his condition Of affairs has 1or some time i'm
trssss9 itself on members Of Congress. They
are IN mora or less CONSTANT receipt OF requests
bsb fer information and assistance from citi-
,sps 81 these insuIar possessions, and from con-
ssfuents for Information concerning them.
Members 50 inaportuned are compelled to seek
the Secretary o. " ar, DUL ne mas no Ol1lClai 10
whom he can conveniently refer them for de-
tsIs or who can investigate the propositions
fhey present and reply TO the inquiries. and too
eftaa such demands remain for z considerable
line unattended TO On Secretary Tafts desk.
We're the Bureau OF Insular Affairs charged
zfh these duties, il is maintained all this
would be rsmeded. The insular possessions
veEld have in Washington an official who would
aesofe his time to their interests and present to
tie Secretary Of War, when he came to prepare
ha annual report a brief and intelligent state
asni Of the needs Of the Islands and of Alaska,
sni the results would be far more satisfactory
fhsn the present system or lack Of system.
Moreover. should ht become necessary in time
70 rreFide a Department Of Insular Affairs, this
buaa could be taken from the War Department
saa Eosld form the nucleus for such depart
ms1t
50 Instrumentation along these lines IS made
n fk annual report Of the Secretary Of War,
bEi r. Taft hzs been sounded on the subject
aE5 has signifed ais approval OF the general
ts L is possible that Congress may not act
flzly on the sehene at this session, although
dsRroposition is likely to be discussed to some
eEsats and Il is regarded certain that sooner
q 1ater the existing sentiment viii crystalline
30 legislation along these lines.