The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-06
OUR DEPENDENTS GETTING RESTLESS
Uncle Sam Having Same Trouble That Has Har-
 assed Great Britain
By RAYMOND CHAPTER,

(Leased Wire to The Age-HerA1d) WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-Home rult and independence agitation is spreading through some of tho Amer lean dependencies to an extent that makes 1t possible for the admins tration here at Washington to appre- ciate what the British government has had to deal with in the Irish problem.
 Just now the independence move. ment is most active in the Philip pines, but 1t has spread to Porte will come here next week to appeal to Congress for home rule. Porto Rican leaders are trying to hold the independence movement in check | there, by working greater degree of home rule, without asking sev- ership of Governor Towner. who bind the island to, the United States made possible by the tactful lead ership of Governor owner, who was sent to Porto Rico to calm the | tempest raised by the activities of his predecessor. E. Mont Riley. When Riley was asked to retire, the Porto dignation that they were clamoring for complete Independence. But Towner has shown them that the United States wishes to be helpful and has the best interests of Porto Rico at heart. Towner will head the home rule commission which will come next week.
 Wood Less Successful.
 General Wood has been less suc- cessful in holding his charges in hand. The Philippine native govern mcnt has just sent an independence commission here seeking complete severance of official ties. They have much complaint to make against they alleged to be arbitrary and an tagonisticN to the well-being of the natives. As~ -4
 They have succeeded in enlistine | considerable support in Congress where Representative Frear of Wis consin has pending resolution call- ing for an extensive investigation of Woods administration. The financial ventures of General Woods two sons tion on the Philippine situation.
 Cuba has been causing consider able trouble. Native politicians re- gently attempted to take matters into their own hands by reviving the lottery--A device by which gfeat po- litical machines are built up in Latin countries.
 Ineu there was, the recent dCLlOH or the native legislature in attempt ing to close private ports. Nominally Cuba Is an independent country, but the American ambassador there, Gen. eral Enoch H. Crowder, brought about strong pressure against these projects and President Zayas back tracked.
 Crowder Wins Out.
 Crowder's strong representations which were made with the full en- couragement of Washington-cause much irritation among native poli- ticians, but he finally won out and now fairly amicable relations obtain. In fact, Crowder's electoral reform legislature shortly and presumably will have the backing of the Zayas government. The fact that the Crow der plan has progressed to this point is regarded here as hopeful sign.
 The policing by marines of Haiti and Santo Domingo have been the subject of much controversy and to time that the natives were sub jected to cruel treatment. However, the last report of. the marine corps was that everything was orderly. The United States maintain customs re- ceiverships, by which it is able to control the finances of the two gov ernments, a step that was made necessary because of the political ir- responsibility of native politicians.
 Agitation for statehood is going on in the Alaskan territory, and in Hawaii there is demand for par ticipation in federal aid for good roads and education. There is no sentiment for independence in either of these territories. On the con trary, the tendency is entirely in the direction of closer relations with the