The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-07-22

selves Ia the undue excitement and factiona isn,
Ut electoral contests II Is the business OF the gov
ernor whether appointed or elected. to apply hrm-
ness. wisdom and intelligence to promoting the
welfare OF the Porto RIcan people. II Is probably
better for tile Island that the governOrship like
the Judiciary. should exercise It's functions above
ana beyonn the control OF local parties.
Thcre has been good deal Of conflict between
cdp'tai engaged In such industries those OF SUI.
gar ana tobacco on the one side and labor-organ-
lied under soclalstic leadership--on the other
hand u nigh not be best for the island ut the
present time 10 have such economic conflicts car
ried Into the political arena In the election of a
governor There would seem to be quite enough
opportunity for play OF popular politics In the
election Of members OF the two branches of the
legislature. OF the delegates To Washington, and
OF local and municipal governments.
The United States has recently paid the sum Of
S2h0OoOoO to Denmark for St Thomas and the
ether small lsiets of the Danish group which we
now call TIM Virgin islands and which lie near
Porto Rico t, the eastward. This purchase Is a
fresh evidence OF the Importance that Is attached
at Washington to the position of the United States
Ia the West In lies. at the Panama Isthmus and In
the Caribbean region IL. then. We are permanent
~ To exercise foremost Influence In the defense
AMI the progress of those regions, the most obvi-
Gus thing To dO Is To concentrate strongly upon
the development OF Porto Rico. A great work for
health ana education must he carried on In the is
Justify all necessary expenditures OF money and
1T scientific effort.
The foundations we'll laid. aud the tasks To
he achieved are specific and clearly defined. The
island IL agricultural and Is oserpopuiated. 1t il
capable of an Industrial development that would
Increase the Income OF the average family and give
steady employment 10 surplus labor. On the other
hand. many Porto Rcuns might with advantage DO
celonscd In parts of the United States where ag-
rieultural labor Ia needed They are already Amer.
lean citizens and entitled preference rs against
alien Europeans
From the standpoint OF American defense. Porto
Rico bus the strategic advantages Of location that
have at tine- heen sufficiently well understood
by the authorities at Washington In the long
run the tests of efficiency and OF economy would
b. best met by concentrating rs far as possible
upon harhor Improvement and defensive prepara-
tlans in Porto Riso hearing upon the protection
III the Panama eenHl AMI ut all proper inter
estS In the Caribbean regions,
A an esidcnce OF our regard for Porto Rico and
esteem for oar felow citizens there. 1t wou'i he
desirable TO appoint CERTAIN number OF Porto
Rlcan< Positions Ia the departments NJ Wash
ngtun aud also o. Seiect several Porte Reans OF
suitable education AMI experience for diplomatic
and consular Positions.
Although orr Spanish-Spcaking ncighhors To tn.
southwark be - had more than four centuries III
experience in trying To adapt themselves 10 the
conditions ~ life In their respective regions II il
wet to remember thar there are ccnturics vet 10
totnc. and that the future viii give ample onror.
tnnlty 10 atoee for the mistakes nj the past The
application of scientific knowledge Is the principal
agency that we must new rely upon for Improve
meat of individual and nf social conditions The
Ncsteru Hemisphere mus, he harmonious In all
that makes for the avoidance OF war. II can be
associated In maay Ways Tor intellectual progress
aud FOR the wide diffusion Of things that make IN
eur modern standards of civilized ilfe. One ef tie
ways In which the people ot the United States
can best promote the future wellhelng Of aai
henisphere whole il TO contribute toward IN
teusiSe progress In the beautiful island which re-,
ogn!ses the American rag It's own.