Rock Island Argus., 1906-12-04

our action In the Philippines has been
abundantlI justified, not mainly and
indeed not primarily because Of the
added digSaty it has given us as a
nation by proving that we are capable
honorably end efficiently to bear the
international burdens which a mighty
people should bear, but even more be-
cause of tae immense benefit that has
come to the people of the Philippine
Islands. In these islands we are stead
lily introducing both liberty and order
to greater degree than their people
have ever before known. We have Sc
cured justice. We have provided an
efficient police force and have put
down ladronism. Only in the islands
of Leyte and Samar is the authority
of our government resisted. and this by
wild moLntain tribes under the super
stitious inspiration of fakirs and pseu-
do religious leaders. We are constant
ly increasing the measure of liberty
accorded the islanders, and next spring,
II conditions warrant, we shall take
great stride forward in testing their
capacity for self government by sum-
moning fhe first Filipino legislative as
| sembiy, and the way in which they
stand tins test will largely determine
whether the self government thus
granted will be increased or decreased.
for if VIC have erred at all in the Phil
| ippineS Il has been in proceeding too
| rapidly In the direction of granting a
| large measure of self government. We
! are building roads. We have, for the
| immeasIlrable good of the people, ar
ranged for the building of railroads.
Let us also see to it that they are Civ
en- a free access to our markets This
nation owes no more Imperative duty
to Itself and mankind than the duty of |
managing the affairs of all the islands |
under che American flag-the Philip |
pines. Porto Rico and Hawaii-''o as to |
make X evident that 1t is in every way |
to Their advantage that the flag should |
fly over them.
Porto Rican Affairs.
American citizenship should Sc con-
ferred on the citizens of Porto Rico. |
The harbor of San Juan in Porto Rico
should be dredged and improved The
expenses of the federal court OF Porto
Rico should be met from the federal
treasury. The administration of the
affairs of Porto Rico, together with
those of the Philippines, Hawaii and
our other iusular possessions, should
be directed under one executive de-
partment, by preference the depart
ment of state or the department of
war.
Hawaii.
The needs of Hawaii are peculiar.
Every aid should be given the islands.
and our efforts should be unceasing to
Il oIa tl,n Of
munity of small freeholders. not of
great planters with cody titled es-
tates. Situated. as this territory is, in
the middle of the Pacific. there are
duties imposed upon this small com
munity which do not fall in like degree
or manner upon any other American
This warrants our treat
ing it differently from the way in !
which we treat territories contiguous
to or surrounded by sister territories
or other states and justifies the setting
aside of portion of our revenues to
be expended for educational and in
ternal improvements therein. Hawaii
is now making an effort to secure i'm
migration fit in the end to assume the |
duties and burdens of full American
and whenever the leaders
In the varions Industries of those is
lands finally adopt our ideals and .
heartily join our administration in en-
1eavoring To develop a middle class
Of substantial citizens way will then
be found 10 deal with the commercial
and industrial problems which now ap- S
pear to them so serious. The best ! O
is that which aims for | h
stability and permanency of prosper r
ous citizenship rather than immediate a
'eturns on large masses of capital. C
Alaska. Il
AlaSka's needs have been partially
net, but there must be complete re- =
organization of the governmental sys-
EN-, as 1 have before indicated to you =
ask your especial attention to this. =
)ur fellow citizens who dwell on the
hores of Puget sound with character !.
site energy are arranging to hold In
eattle the Alaska Yukon-Pacific expo +"
ition. Its special aims include the up -
'uilding of Alaska and the develop o
nent of American commerce on the g
'acifc ocean. This exposition in its 81
urposcs and scope should appeal not W
My to the people of the Pacific slope, u
ut to the people of the United States tc
{ large. Alaska since it was bought al
as yielded to the government $11.O00.- tf
90 of revenue and has produced near o'
: S3O0,O00.000 in gold, furs and fish. Z
When properly developed it will become W
/ large degree land of homes. The &C
ountries bordering the Pacific ocean al
ave population more numerous than bl
lat Of all the countries Of Europe. bt
heir annual foreign commerce VI
mounts to over $4,000, O,OOO,OOO of re
hich the share of the United States is gr
,me $1O0,OO0,O00. If this trade were eli
thoroughly understood and pushed by le
II manufacturers and producers, the in
dustries not only of the Pacific slope. be
IF of ali orr country and particular sil