Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-07-01


s;ioner in the United States is Felix. COrdova Da-
villa. In the house the other day he asked and re-
carved unanimous consent to print in the Congress
sional Record an article by DIR. 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 to say 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
serial out of which to build up loyal American cit
izens that all truly appreciate the privileges
of being citizens of this nation; and that 10y
atty TO the national flag, without mental reserva-
Gions is the best evidence of love to the peo-
gle OF 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.
81 indorse everything printed in this article ex-
cept the views OF the writer regarding the COVER
nOrshp. really believe Mr. Speaker, that the
people of Porto Rico have a right to elect their
own governor, and 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 successful adj
ministration."
DR.. Shaw's articlesis too long for reproduction
here in full. Following some of the important
points made:
The Porto Ricans, though living under the Amer
lean flag and loyal to it beyond question, are
now having very elaborate political discussions
about their future. These arguments are not close
Iy followed in the United States and are somewhat
puzzling, even to public men at Washington who
are sympathetic and open-minded and who really
desire to understand. The Porto Rcans them
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 go
ing on in an island which annexed more than
20 years ago, and whose people are now American
citizens just as truly are the people Of Massa-
chusetts and Virginia.
Most readers in the United States are not aware
that the Unionist party, which has 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 sin
dependence" plank. The opposing party, which
bears the name Republican, was, apparently, weak
ened rather than strengthened by coalition which
1T 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 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 as also their newspaper organs,
are warm in their expressions of friendness to
the people of the United States and to the govern
ment at Washington.
The Unionst 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 both sides are men
of remarkable oratorica ability; and in an election
Campaign where they seek to gain large popular
following they express themselves more passion
latelv in the discussion of question like that OF
independence than when conversng quietly about
Porto Rieo's best interests with members of the
cabinet at Washington with members of con-
gressional committees. Independence" we are
assured by the leaders, is not secession but natural
evolution.
AZ matter of fact her connection with the Uni
sed States is too valuable to Porto Rico to be sac