The New York herald., 1921-08-20
Our Flag in Porto Rico.

The new Governor OF Porto Rico
transferred to that island by Presi
dent HARDING from business activi
ties in Kansas City. has scored an
immediate and initial and signal sue
cess in the way of clarifying polit
ical situation which was becoming
decidedly murky.
We quote the following remarks on
Governor RILEY's advent and inau
gural from the English section OF
Ell TEMPO Of San Juan. The edi
torial expressions of that daily jour.
nal have been notable for years for
their discernment, their fine Frank.
Unlike literary style and their com
bined humor and vigor. Speaking of
the plain notification which Cover
nor RILEY brought from Washington
to the island Ell Ttempo says:
"The views OF the Governor on the
future status of Porto Rico were un-
derstood by our people to be in line
with the utterances ale made in his
inaugural address. He made Il clear
that independence Is impossible and
he brought the cheering word that he
Ia for Statehood. Never was a people
burdened with a more unfortunate
propaganda than has been thrust
upon the people OF Porto Rico in this
ernor brings with him the reputation
OF meaning what he says and doing
what he promises. This view appears
to have been accepted by the Inde-
pendistas. There was no reason TO
doubt his views on the subject. be-
cause he would not be expected to
come to Porto Rico in opposition to
the pronounced policy OF the nation.
But there may have been the hope
that the Miss Nancy policy OF nom
resistance and passive obedience to
the Unionists would be continued In
the name OF liberty But the Gov
ernor's statement was much more ef-
fective, and carried the issue to the
point OF a supremely important dec
laratlon as 10 our future status. He
was outspoken for Statehood. when
ever we are ready for It This was
the blow that killed father
We congratulate the Governor on his
address He has cut out his own
work, and. believe US. It is some job"
With a similar appreciation of the
significance OF the new Governors
attitude the Porto Rico Progress, an
able weekly and the only all English
newspaper published in the island
comments as follows:
Further deception should be
ended for all time by the Cover
nor's clear statement that In the
United States there is no sympathy
or hope for Independence for Porto
Rico from any individual or any po-
liticai party. Nor can there be
any misunderstanding the statement
llstlL OF tiibt ~ 10 - NoiIlIlb VI tIS
sentiment OF the people OF the United
States as now represented at Wash
ington. II could not be more cer-
tain IL the President himself made
the statement with this Issue there
Is no great disagreement on the part
OF any large group in Porto Rico.
The sudden antagonism which II has
aroused is from group OF men who
as politicians have attempted TO be
all things 70 all men. This group is
not large but IL is loud
The length OF the foregoing ex
tracts from a very intelligent local
press is warranted by the exceeding
importance OF the message which
Governor RILEY has carried TO Porto
Rico. The event marks, indeed, q
turning point in the political expert.
ence OF the island. II solves swiftly
and certainly a situation which was
tending toward a critical phase
What the Governor told the Porto
Ricans Of all shades OF political opin.
ion was this.
To-day you are as much n part
Of the United ststee a. any sover-