The Washington times., 1906-10-02
COLONIES ADVANCE
UNDER AMERICANS
What Eight Years Have
Brought to United States
Dependencies.

What has the United States done in
the Philippines Cuba, and Porto Rico?"
Since the development of the Cuban
imbroglio and the declared necessity for
American Intervention between the in
suiar government and insurgent forces
this has been often discussed in official
and diplomatic circles in Washington.
Almost eight years ago to the day the
Spanish-American peace commissioners
were In Paris for the meeting of OctO-
ber /. 1898, which opened the negoua-
tons that ultimately evolved the treaty
of Paris. by which Spain relinquished
sovereignty over Cuba and ceded the
Philippines and Porto Rico TO the Unit
ed States
Six years ago Congress passed the or
ganic act providing a territorial form Of
civil government for Porto Rico Since
then the Porto Ricans have been hold
ing their own annual elections and
framing IN their own Legislatures local
laws which must be approved by the
American Congress. Governor Beekman
Winthrop. OF Porto Rico. who is spoken
Of IN connection with the civil governor
ship which II is said the United States
intends to provide for the present Cuban
Rico Is full OF promise. lie reports that
Americans have settled there. that Por-
to Ricans are sending their boys 10 the
United States to become educated IN
American methods and that roads and
railroads have been built In the island.
Are Porto Ricans Citizens.
A most important question 70 the Por-
10 Ricans is whether, owing 10 the re-
lations existing between the island and
the United States government. its in
habitants are citizens Of the United
States. This question has been taken
before the courts. but has never been
finally decided. Less than ii year ago
Governor Winthrop recommended that
the United States Congress pass AN en-
actment granting the Porto Ricans full
citizenship
On account OF the excitement which
the annual elections cause In Porto Rico
Governor Winthrop recommends that
the organic act be amended so as 20
provide tor quadrennial instead of an
nual elections There are 1900 pupils
In ne new school system that has been
eS SLaDusued IN Porto Rico. $50 men. -
non-commisslOned officers, and "A com
mlssioned officers IN the insular police.
Efforts have been made 10 encourage
trade between Porto Rico and the
United States. While many improve
mentg have been made In Porto Rico,
the proposed naval station Al San Juan
has not been constructed. although
ground has been set apart for IT, and
the island Is IN ned OF public buildings.
Established Cuban Republic.
The Spanish evacuated Havana Janu-
ary !. 1896. and Spain on that day with
drew from Cuba The government OF
the island was transferred 70 q military
governor as the representative Of the
President OF the United States. The oc-
cupation Of the island by the United
States being established. IL was neces-
sary 70 enter upon the work OF Great
ing and establishing a stable govern
ment administered by the Cuban people.
republican in form. and competent 10
discharge the obligation OF international
relationship
The first step was 10 ascertain the
population OF the Cuban provinces and
lHe educational and other qualifications
OF the inhabitants for the elective fran
cEise. This was accomplished by means
OF the Cuban census IN April, 1900. an
election law was promulgated for the
regulation Of proposed municipal cleo
tiOns and on June 16 1900. the first
municipal elections under the new order
Of things were held. A constitutional
convention was held. constitution
adopted, with the Piatt amendment as
an appendage. and finally the United
States surrendered the island 10 the
Cuhans - the republic succeeding the
American military occupation.
While the United States was in Cuba
It's army issued rations 10 destitute per-
sons throughout the island. The total
number Of such Tations issued was
5,4@,ooo DO a cost Of Q,4lG5d.
STAMPED Ont Yellow FevAr