Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-02

Inn INeN La II ENNIbNSs
While it is not to be doubted that
majority of our people approve the
policy that is being pursued regarding
the insular possessions and would, il
the question were submitted to them,
vote against parting with any of those
possessions, yet there appears to be
considerable sentiment of an opposite
kind in congress- shared in by repub-
leans as well as democrats. 1t is stated
that the constant friction, trouble and
complaint in the islands, particularly
the Philippines, have had the effect TO
make congress feel weary of the self
imposed job which it took up when it
ratified the treaty of Paris.
That there is more or les dissatisfac-
ton and discomfort in the insular pos
sessions is a matter Of general knowl-
edge. The people of Porto Rico are
urging a change of policy and have
made known the reasons for their dis
satisfaction with the existing conditions.
They demand, and justly so. to be
given a status as American citizens, to
be allowed a larger measure Of home
rule and to be given representation at
Washington. Hawaii has several per-
picking problems that call for solution,
perhaps the most important of which is
in regard to labor. The planters there
want legislation admitting Chinese and
restricting them by law to field labor
and domestic service. They claim this
to be absolutely necessary to the in
dustrial development of the islands. But
as President Roosevelt has said, we
cannot concede that the proper solution
of its problems is special legislation ad-
hitting to Hawaii a class of laborers
denied admission to the other states and
territories.
The graver problems and difficulties,
however, are presented in the Philip
pines. 1t is in regard to conditions in
those remote islands and the policy that
should be pursued respecting them that
is the source of greatest perplexity to
both the administration and congress.
Progress has been made there in some
directions, but the Industrial and COM
mercial interests of the islands have not
been materially improved and what
shall be done to effect an improvement
is puzzling question. There is pend
ing a bill reducing the tariff on Philip
pine sugar and tobacco and providing
that three years hence all the products
Of the islands shall be admitted free
into the United States. II it shall become
law the effect may be to improve con-
ditions in the islands, but more than
this will be required to give them a
strong and secure start on the road to
substantial progress and prosperity.
Something must be done to induce capt.
tai to go there. Railroads must be built
and the work of development must be
pushed as vigorously as practicable.
Meanwhile the question Of the reten-
ton Of the Philippines is again receiving
consideration. A report from Washing
ton says that if the private conversa-
lions of members OF congress in both
branches could be made public, there
would be surprise in many quarters
over the numbers of persons who are
tired of the retention of the islands. A
few weeks ago joint resolution was in
troduced in the senate calling on con-
gress to authorize the president to open
negotiations with the other nations
for the purpose Of securing the
naturalization of the Philippines and
the recognition Of their independence
whenever the same shall have been
granted to them by the United States.
The task Of wisely and properly caring
for our insular possessions is not an
easy one and is likely to prove trouble
some and perplexing for an indefinite
time.