The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

IA = olt ~ ltSitNh ND'
sioner in the United States is Felix Cordova Da-
villa. In the house the other day he asked and re-
celved unanimous consent to print In the Congress
sional Record an article by DR.. Albert Shaw on
Porto Rico, which he said contained very valu-
able information which may be useful to members
OF congress" In connection with his request he
said in substance:
Il want 10 say once more that the movement Of
Independence in the island Of Porto Rico has been
greatly exaggerated in the United States; that
the people who favor this ideal are very good ma
terial out of which to build up loyal American cit
liens; that we all truly appreciate the privileges
or being citizens of this nation; and that our 10y
atty TO the national flag, without mental reserva-
tons, is the best evidence Of our love to the peo-
pie Oh Porto Rico. AT all events, the issue Of in
dependence Is really unfortunate, but the common
sense and the patriotism Of the Porto Ricans in
duce me to believe that this ideal will disappear
from their minds in the not very distant future.
II indorse everything printed in this article ex-
cept the views of the writer regarding the COVER
norship. l really believe, Mr.. Speaker, that the
people of Porto Rico have a right to elect their
own governor, and l hope that the congress of the
United States will recognize this right at the
proper time. (Applause)
'At present we have lost our fight. But we are
good losers. We cordially congratulate the new
governor on his appointment. He will surely have
the cooperation Of our people in the discharge Of
his official duties. We wish him a successful adj
ministration"
DR.. Shaw's article is too long for reproduction
here in full. Following are some Of the important
points made:
The Porto Ricans, though living under the Amer
lean flag and loyal to it beyond a question, are
now having very elaborate political discussions
about their future. These arguments are not close
ly followed in the United States and are somewhat
puzzling. even to public men at Washington who
are sympathetic and open-minded and who really
IaSirp tO understand The Porto Ripopc tbam-
selves are aware that people in the United States
read more about politics in Ireland and Canada
and at times more about affairs in Australia, New
Zealand, and South Africa-than about what is 60
ing on in an island which we annexed more than
20 years ago, and whose people are now American
citizens just as truly as are the people of Massa-
chusetts and Virginia.
Most readers in the United States are not aware
that the Unionist party, which has a very large
majority in each of the chambers of the Porto Rico
legislature, swept the island in the election last
November on a platform which included an Gin
dependence plank. The opposing party, which
bears the name Republican, was, apparently, weak
ened rather than strengthened by a coalition which
II formed with the Socialist party for election pur-
poses. The strong and capable men Of Porto Rico
are to be found in both parties. In so far as the
future of the island is concerned, the Republicans
are wholly in favor of accepting the connection
with the United States as permanent. The leaders
of both parties, rs also their newspaper organs,
are warm in their expressions Of friendliness to
the people Of the United States and to the govern.
ment at Washington.
The Unionist leaders disavow all thought Of Sc
curing an independence that should come with any
sacrifice of good will on either part. The Porto
Rican political spokesman on Doth sides are men
of remarkable oratorical ability and in an election
campaign where they seek to gain n large popular
following they express themselves more passion
ately in the discussion Of n question like that OF
independence than when conversing quietly about
Porto Rico's best interests with members Of the
cabinet at Washington or with members of con-
sressional committees. independence" we are
assured by the leaders, Is not secession out natural
evolution.
Az q matter OF fact her connection with the Uni
ted States is too valuable to Porto Rico to be sac