Evening star., 1922-02-27
SHOULD
! HOLD PORTO RICO
Simon Wolf Believes Island
Far Better Off Under
! American Flag.

Calling attention to the remark
able growth and development which
Porto Rico has enjoyed under the
American flag, Simon Wolf, retired
Washington attorney and student
of world affairs, sees no necessity
for making the island an indepen-
dent state.
The latest movement to make that
Latin possession self governing
territory prompted Mr.. Wolf to set
forth yesterday his views of the is
close observation of its history un-
der American control.
The United States government. for
its own protection, he said, could
not afford to relinQuish Porto Rico
any more than it could give up the
Better on Under U. 9. Flag.
Mr.. Wolf believes 1t is for the best
interests of the people Of Porto Rico
themselves that they remain under
the generous and helpful guardian
ship of this country, which gives
them a voice in thair home affairs.
The advocates of independence in
Mr. Wolf said yesterday. although
they keep the question regularly In
the foreground. Thirteen years ago
Mr. Wolf visited the island and
d
ton of it. He was deeply impressed
by it's beauty, it's climate and the
possibilities for improving it under
American control.
Upon his return to this country he
prepared a brief of the island, in
which he discussed the then politi-
cal aspirations of the natives. Con-
ditions today are identical with
those then existing. Mr.. Wolf be-
lieves. In his paper on Porto Rico
he said, part:
Notes Spirit of Discomfort.
Naturally; the moment the Ameri-
can becomes domiciled in any COM
munity ne arouses IL the native q
spirit not only Of emulation but OF
sullen opposition: thus a. portion OF
the Porto Ricans have ignored the
400 years of suffering and misery
and expect, in the short period since
Porto Rico became American. equal
ity along all lines.
"Some irresponsible Americans, who
unfortunately became domiclled IN
Porto Rico and who for a short pc
riod exercised some official authority,
have added very much to this spirit
of discomfort and clamor for equal
political rights, which, OF course.
under present eondinons' adnaan, as as moi iof
of the island. Mr.. Wolf continued:
Looks Into Future.
"It takes time and patience and ed
ucation to confer such boon as
republican form of government per.
mits: In due time. Whsn the esrs result
a living and vitalizing factor IN the
political education of the people, the
second and third generations WIN no
doubt vindicate. by their conduct ana
by their demands. their right of ad-
ministering their own affairs, as t9
done in other parts of the United
States
Mr.. Wolf regretted Inat more
Americans do not visit Porto hlco
the voyage probably is responsible
for the fact that large percentage
of tourists do not go there;
When he visited Porto RICO; MT
Wolf observed that the island aIa shoata ata
tract Americans. Such hotel has
since been built, but resident OF
the island, writing to MIR: WON =
few days ago, said the establishment
probably would not be open announcer
season.
Proeress Under U. 9. Control
To emphasize the progress Porto
Rico has made under American con-
troll. Mr.. Wolf declared that in the
short period during which the island
has been under the Stars ana S1fipes
a thousand miles OF roads nave Deen
built, while little was done towaso
such improvements in the preceding
century of Spanish rule.
I'm every direction. wherever you go
on the island, you see the progress
siye tendencies of the people and the
wholesome. good feeling that is en-
tertained by the great mass OF the
inhabitants for American institutions
and American civil administration,
said Mr.. Wolf, referring again to
his visit there.
Mr.. Wolf said he is not personally
acnuainted with Gov. Reilly. the pres
emit representative of the government
in Porto Rico, but. from what he has
been able to learn. the governor is
Thorough American of the Roosevelt
type"
clare Justice Of the supreme court of
porto Rico for eighteen years.