Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-21
PORTO R|CANS 70 Be
GWEN CITIZENSHIP
CONGRESS CERTAIN TO ENACT
LAWS GIVING ISLANDERS
MORE LIBERTY.
ELECTIVE SENATE TO BE
ADDED TO ASSEMBLY
Governor Appointed by President to Be
Retained, With Power Of vsto-Movs
70 Give Filippinos Independence Ap-
pears to Be Far oH-May be Given
Government Similar to canada's.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, March 21.-The ques-
ton of Porto Rican citizenship and a
greater measure Of self-government
for Porto Rico Is once more up to con-
gress. The house committee on in
sular affairs has taken favorable ac-
ton on a bill, shaped by a sub-com-
mittee consisting Of Representatives
Jones, Garrett and Towner. which if
enacted would materially improve con-
ditions for the Porto Ricans.
The essentials Of this bill are that
1T makes the Porto Ricans citizens Of
the United States and, in addition to
the elective assembly which they now
have, gives them an elective senate.
The governor would still be appointed
by the president OF the United States.
He would have the absolute veto power.
The bill has numerous details, one of
its other important features being a
complete revision Of the court system
The best judgment of the insular af-
fairs committee is that If enacted it
Will mark big advancement for the
Porto Ricans.
Large Measure OF Liberty.
1t is pointed out that while the gov
ernor would have the veto power,
nevertheless II presidents Of this
country do their full duty in naming
governors in sympathy with the
needs Of the island. the Inhabitants
will be in position to secure good gov
eminent and have large measure of
liberty. The committee felt that some
check on the legislative body was
necessary ard that 1t would not do to
LEI it run just as it pleased without
the veto power residing somewhere.
though realizing that a bad governor
might make the form of government
extremely Objectionable
Osle Of the real advantages existing
in the bill fer the Porto Ricans. in the
view of tho committee is their adj
mission to American citizenship.
As &c the Philippines.
The fac. that progress is being made
toward setter legislation regarding the
Porto Ricans calls attention to the
sttpation respecting the Philippines
As tina. government il now run. the
governor S. neral does not have the
veto power The natives are enabled
to legislate without restriction. save
such moral restraint as the governor
general may exercise.
Some such plan as the one suggested
in the pending bill for Porto Rico is
favored by some of the members of the
insular committee for the Philippines.
I. is true, the F'ilpinos are not yet
ready for admission 10 citizenship.
On the other hand, the situation re-
garting independence for the Philip
pines is changing. Some of the lead
ing lG.iri1os have come to the con-
clrs.on they do not want independence.
Leaders VINO were most clamoreus for
independence a year ago, seem now to
be apprehensive lest the United States
set the islands adrift, thus permitting
them to re- seized by japan or some
ether nation. The leader # the as
sembly. Os.Re1a. who has been promi-
nent in urging independence, has
backed away from this demand. Dele
gate Quezon himself is even alleged to
have some misgivings. An American
protectorate IS what some of the Fill
pino leaders are now advising. Such
a relation as Canada has to Great
Britain is favored by some as the best
relation of the islands 10 the United
States. 1t looks much as if the project
Of turning the islands loose with q
:ew years, which az one Tine seemed
to stand a chance Of g1ins through,
had gone backward materially and
Philippine independence were long
[ way distant