New-York tribune., 1909-11-10
TNSTLlR GOTERNORS.

The installation Of new governors this
week i'm Porto Rico ard the Philippines
has made little stir i'm this country. chief
ly because American rule i'm the insular
possessions has worn smooth and there
are few insular problems left which loom
large enough to disturb the American
public. The progress of the last five
years has discredited many gloomy fore
holdings The insular policy of the gov
ernment has fortunately been taken out
of party politics. No one can imagine
political party making another campaign
for the Presidency such as the Democratic
party made i'm 1900 under Mr.. Bryans
leadership. or even pushing the anti
Imperialism" issue az mildly and apollo
Gctically 10 the fore as the Democracy
did i'm 1904 under the leadership Of Judge
Parker. The people of the United States
arc substantially agreed I'm believing thsJ
the insular possessions ought IN be gov
erned for the present With view 20 their
material advancement and political edu-
cation. leaving their permanent status TO
bc decided hereafter. Continuity i'm
methods OF administration has therefore
become much more important than mere
changes i'm personnel.
Mr. Forbes. who becomes Governor
General of the Philippines, has had five
years experience as a member of the
Philippine Commission. as Secretary Of
Commerce and Police in the insular
government and as Vice Governor. llc
il well equipped for the governor gen
eralship and is I'm thorough sympathy
with the policy Of liberal treatment AMI
steady progress which has been followed
under the Mckinley. Roosevelt and Taft
administrations. Conditions in tho Phil
irpines have been greatly improved 10y
the enactment of the Payne tariff law.
admitting much larger quantities OF
Philippine products into this country
free Of duty. and the new Philippine
tariff law rearTaneing the insular cus-
toms schedules. Great undertakings in
the way Of railroad building. harbor inn
provements, the opening Of schools and
banks. the reform Of the currency and
land systems. the restoration of civil or
der and the enforcement Of law and jus
tice have now borne fruit, and the ISL
ands are ready 10 enjoy a period of I'M
usual tranquility and prosperity. The
task of American authority is simply 10
maintain progress and encourage greater
self-help.
I'm Porto Rico. where Mr. Cotton has
nov been inaugurated. some friction has
recently resulted from attempts 10 align
the popular island party against the gov
crnment Congress had "a step i'm and
rebuke the lower house of the insular
legislature for refusing To vote apprO-
priatiOns. Personal and partisan ambi-
tion had more TO do with forcing the
deadlock than any real grievance of the
Porto Ricans. Probably Il change i'm
administration will help 10 restore more
normal relations between the two leSiS-
latiVe branches and between the gov
ernment and the people. Porto Rico Is
prepared for a much larger measure OF
autonomy than is possible in the Philip
pines. and its people can obtain more
control OF their domestic affairs if they
show themselves little less hasty and
less amenahle 10 factionalism. Their
future is secure and they have only 10
grow UP TO their political and Industrial
opportunities. The United States stands
ready To help them and 10 fit their fut-
ire status To their demonstrated capaci-
ties and needs.