The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-20
Third of the American
Colonies to Ask tor
This Right.
FOR INDEPENDENCE
Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines Anxious to
Break Away From
Uncle Sam.
n, MATTHEW II. TteHE.

n
Washington. April l9.--The war
department. in II confidential and
lengthy cabiegram from Hawai-
today was informed OF the e&-
pressed desire IN the two houses or
the island legislature for indie
peudence. The rla n. 1t was learned
is 10 make an appeal iii Washing
ton along the same lines as that
presented several weeks ago by
native delegation from the Philip
pines.
Hawaiia's request fer freedom Ia the
third movement among the COLONIES
az the United tSates toward self gov
eminent The Filipinos' delegates are
row In this country working up sym
rathy for their cause and having the
sanction Of the administration In their
campaign,
Porto Rico as eviHced by the man
Ter IN which the speech OF rormer
Speaker Cannon WHO was at san Juan
Thursday night, was received is an in
,sica,ion of now the Porto Ricans feel
on tho subJect Mr.. Canuons speech
aroused indignation because he Said
Immediate independence was out Of the
question.
An UNUSUAL SPECTACLE.
should the demand of the island
rossesSlvH@ fer indie pendence he grant
I'd the island colonies. the world vii!
see the unusual spectacle OF mother
country bidding farewell TO her adopt
ed children only after she had given
them every protection 20 safeguard
their Independence.
Many nations. notably Great Britain
are intensely interested In this expert
nent, wherein the United States would
release from ali bounds. countries
which are deemed Of the greatest
strategic Importance TO her own pro-
lection, Such action. il is reekoned
would be the greatest boon possible for
Ireland In her struggle to release her
SELF from the British yoke. as the
English all along has. maintained the
reftnoutshment Of Ireland would leave
aafenscless their entire west coast
The Philippines. Porto Rico and
Hawaii touay are ack nowicdged Ia
he three OF the most strongly fortified
positions in The world and This claim
TO fame is the result solely OF Amert-
can industry. II independence Is
granted them they will be able 10 step
out in the new freedom with q bull
sark of brtsgius armament behind
them,
The islands of Co.reg .dor and III
1'raiu in the Philippine archipelago
are conceded to- DE among the
nishtiest hand Notifications of the
present day. Between $4,000. 600
and $4,000. 600 has heen expended hy
the American government 10 render
them inrprecna bic. Special forts
have been constructed and huge guns
emplaccd. This government also went
10 particular cxpcase 10 fortify Subig
Fay the western land approach TO
Manila. tho capital OF the Islands
KEY To THE PACIFIC
The Hawaiian group II not exceed
ing the Philippines in strength. Is its
equal known As the key to the
Pacific" these islauds-the first shore
approach 10 THE " eStern coast Of the
United States have been fitted there
for the Pacific fleet
Porto Rico likewise is a great
naval base, sharing with the Virgin
islands. the honors Of harboring our
grea Atlantic feet OF hattleshlps In
the winter season The island OF
Cuiehra for Instance. has been 90
"made over" by American engineers
as TO withstand or repel most any at
tack from the sea. while military
roads and highways have been woven
through all parts Of Porto Rico pro
per.
independence for these posses
sions, if granted would destroy
the last claim of the British 10
foYcibly rule the Irish, and the
visible evidence that the United
States only dream as empire
builder" is peaceful constructive
progress within her own Dor
ders