The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-07-02

selves in the undue excitement and factiOnalsm
of electoral contests 1t is the business of the gov
ernOr, whether appointed or elected, TO apply firm
ness, wisdom and intelligence to promoting the
welfare of the Porto Rican people. 1t is probably
better for the island that the governOrship like
the judiciary, should exercise its functions above
and beyond the control of local parties.
There has been a good deal Of conflict between
capital engaged in such industries as those of SUI
gar and tobacco on the one side and labOr-organ-
lied under sOciaistic leadership-On the other
hand 1t might not be best for the island at the
present time to 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
$20,00OO00 to Denmark for st. Thomas and the
other small islets of the Danish group, which we
now call the Virgin islands and which lie near
Porto Rico to the eastward This purchase is a
fresh evidence of the Importance that is attached
at Washington to the position of the United States
in the West Indies, at the Panama Isthmus, and in
the Caribbean region. If, then, we permanent
ly to exercise foremost influence in the defense
and 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 and education must be carried on In the is
land, and the success of such undertaking would
justify all necessary expenditures of money and
of scientific effort.
The foundations are well laid, and the tasks to
be achieved are specific and clearly defined. The
island Is agricultural and is overpOpulated. 1t is
capable of an industrial development that would
increase the income of the average family and give
steady employment to surplus labor. On the other
hand, many Porto Ricans might with advantage be
coIOnized in parts of the United States where ag-
ricutural labor is needed. They are already Amer
lean citizens and entitled to preference as against
alien Europeans
From the standpoint Of American defense, Porto
Rico has the strategic advantages Of location that
have not at times been sufficiently well understood
by the authorities at Washington. In the long
run. the tests of efficiency and Of economy would
be best met by concentrating as far as possible
upon harbOr improvement and defensive prepara-
lions in Porto Rico as bearing upon the protection
of the Panama canal and of all our proper inter-
ests In the Caribbean regions.
As an evidence of our regard for Porto Rico and
esteem for our fellow citizens there, 1t would be
desirable to appoint a certain number of Porto
Ricans to positions in the departments at Wash
ington and also to select several Porto Ricans Of
suitable education and experience for diplomatic
and consular positions.
Although our Spanish-spe9king neghbOrs to the
southwark have had more than four centuries OF
experience in trying to adapt themselves TO the
conditions of life in their respective regions 1t is
well TO remember that there centuries yet to
, come and that the future will give ample oppOr-
tunity to atone for the mistakes of the past. The
appIcation of scientific knowledge is the principal
agency that we must now rely upon for improve
ment of individual and of social conditions. The
Western Hemisphere must be harmonious in all
that makes for the avoidance OF war. 1t can be
associated in many ways for intellectual progress
and for the wide diffusion of things that make up
our modern standards of civilized life. One Of the
WAYS in which the people of the United States
can best promote the future well-being Of our
hemisphere as a whole is TO cOnEibute toward in
tensive progress in the beautiful island which rec
ognizes the American flag as its own