Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-03-25
Americas Troublesome Territories
BY Frederic J. Haskin

Washington, March 25.-The fact
that Ireland has finally been given the
status OF n separate political entity
virtually independent OF tho rule OF
Great Britain. has reflection In the
United States going far beyond tho
casual sympathies OF this man for
Ireland and that man for England.
As a matter of fact, although there
is not much talk OF IL hero and littlo
agitation except In sporadic outbursts,
the American Government has sew
eral little Irelands OF It's own on it's
hands and It's conscience. Some day
these outbursts may flare up to the
proportions OF the Irish situation
which kept British statesmen awake
Of nights for many years.
! Demonstrations of sympathy with
the Irish cause on the part OF Ameri-
cans have resulted In no little bitter
ness on the part OF the English. The
feeling entertained by thousands OF
Englishmen was that the question OF
! Ireland was one purely between Eng
land and Ireland, and that. frankly.
II was mono of the business OF these
Americans who seemed so deeply con-
cerned about tho issue
These resentful Englishmen pointed
out that the American Government
holds island possessions having no
real tie with the central government,
and that II would be bitterly resented
by Americans II there should be n lot
of agitation in England for giving
the Philippines independence, for in
stance.
! And these same Philippine Islands
remain a difficulty which may Increase
trouble for the American administra-
tors as time goes on. Acquired less
than 25 years ago. a bitter guerilla
warfare went on for long time be-
fore tho more warlike tribes wer,
brought TO book and accepted Ameri
; can government. The islands hav,
representation in the House oc Rep.
resentativcs. there being two dele
gates who have every privilege except
that OF voting.
In the little more than two decadc
OF the civilizinR Influence OF American
rule. parties have sprung up In thu
distant group ~ islands demanding
either complete independence or verl
liberal home rule. Investigations hav,
been made OF conditions time an,
again. but always 1t has been found {,
I've unwise 10 grant this request
Japan Is Factor.
The real trouble with giving M IN,
Philippines. although II IS seldom
. given expression publicly is It's near
ness TO Japan and its value as m.ii
tary base 10 the United States. tn
Japanese population OF the priucipa
islands ia large and is growing con
Stantly. In the distant future. shout,
war come between tho Orient and tn
Occident. the Philippines would be @
tremendous advantage 10 the countr,
In possession and able 10 use Its mai
harbors as naval bases
The Hawaiian Islands, lying be
tween America and the Philippines
I belong TO the United States. Foreig1
critics have contcnded that Amerio
, has no moral right 10 have the-
; slands However. the true Hawaiia'
race Is dwtnaiing and dying out. an
there Is no agitation for freedom Q
t4AtN' 4S.Hs slOA4A a4AN AeA4iN @NttANA
/ can yoke" A. matter Of fact. thee
, islands seem perfectly contented an
= happy TO remain q part OF che Unite
States. and no doubt viii so continu'
In the Atlantic ocean, America
meeting with troubles from islam
possessions. Only recently the newt
. papers have been filed with charge
and coantercharges and defensee
courses Of action concerning the GOV
eminent Of the island of Porto Rc
+. Mont Rely, Governor Of the terri
tory. for that Is SOS. Official status 8
= n part OF the United States-has bee
: the storm center OF all this uproa
d: The charges came from native poll,
: clans. The Porto R!can delegate
e Congress Was bitter in his denuncl
l. tion OF the conduct Of the Governor.
,r Harding Backs Reilly.
le The result OF all this was that Go
n ernor Rely came 70 Washington a.
n laid the whole case before Preside
Harding The President rsrOffpfI,, So