New-York tribune., 1911-12-04
PUBLIC L ON RNERFRONT Jour ISLANDS PEACEFUL
General Edwards Reports Pros"
peritv and Order.

~ 4 Ing NI.
Rr-adler General Clarence r. Edwards,
chief Of the Bureau Of Insular Affairs In
the War Department. made public to-day,
shows that except for some slight disturb
ances In the philippines, peace ana pros
neritv have prevailed throughout the year
in the insular possessions Of the United
states OF the Philippines he says:
Peace and public order have been pre-
se~ved throurhout the year in the archi-
pelago. Some Of the last OF the bandit
leaders have been arrested or killed while
resisting capture which has helped 10 bring
this particular cause of unrest still nearer
to its inevitable end. The c0nstabulary mas
proved itself equal 10 All elnerseh@cles @ IN the
suppression Of lawlessness and has main
tained the efficiency that has marked It's
development in past years. Credit, as al
WAYS is due ia just proportion Tor this 10
the officers OF the army detailed for duty
in tho higher Offices Of this body. out II
should not be FORGOTTEN that the experience
gained by these officers and their additional
value TO the army by. reason OF this eXpe,
vience and the extensive knowledge gained
thereby OF the islands and their people
more than repay not only these officers but
tho army tor the sacrifices made.
lie reports progress in railroad building
and good results from the tariff law. Ger
tain desirable classes OF aliens living per
manenty I'm the Philippines. he SAYS, should
no permitted 10 become citizens OF the
islands
Asserting that unless the Friar lands in
tho Philippine Islands are speedily disposed
of they will become a heavy financial
drain on the Philippine government, Cen
eral Edwards recommends that these lands
he sold and in such areas as the interests
OF all concerned demand. The crying need
I'm the Philippines, he says, Is encourage
ment 70 industrial development.
These lands. when unoccupied. SAYS
General Edwards, IF disposed Of as sug-
gested may 10 this extent afford some such
encouragement 10 capital. without In any
way threatening exploitation OF the ISL
ands for the benefit Of American or other
capitalists"
Progress in Porto Rico.
Turning 10 Porto Rican affairs. General
Edwards SAYS
The notable progress. commercial and in
0uStrisl made I'm Porto RICO during the
fiscal year 1910 not only continued but in
creased during the year just passed.
The land unue~ cultivation has been
largely extended throughout the island and
increa sing attention Il given to scientific
study Of agriculture and to improved meth
DDS OF pTCoutIol
The total value Of the external trade for
the wear increased over 10000 0oO and
reached an aggregate of S7S.705.364 Eighty
eight Ter cent of this trade was with the
United States.
on the question of citizenship he says:
The Porto Ricau IS now without any ma
Ii0nal status as an individual. Travelling
abroad he is man without country
Both as a practical and q sentimental
matter this has been for many years a
cause Of political agitation and unrest in
Porto Rico. and is the fundamental argu-
ment of the small portion Of islanders
found in opposition 10 the government Of
the United States and its policy Porto
Rico has been under the United States
now for thirteen years. The definite con-
tinuanCe Of United States control in the
island has never been seriously questioned
there or elsewhere As a matter OF justice
10 the Porto Rican people, as well as 10
remove a cause OF political unrest il Is
mach 10 be desired that in one form or
another such Porto Ricans as desire and
may he regarded as entitled 10 it should,
by definite Congressional action. be ad-
mitted 10 citizenship in the United States.
General Edwards reports that the Do
miuican customs receivership has been OF
great benefit. not only TO Santo Domingo,
but 70 the United States.