Evening star., 1928-03-16

In disappearing of the agitation In
Porto Rico for complete Self-govern-
ment and internal independence. Presi-
dent Coolidge contends that no terri
tory In the world has received such
conSiderate treatment or greater ad-
vantages as has that island during the
30 years 1t has been an insular pos
session of the United States
1t Is his opinion that the pleas for
internal independence are based on a
complete misunderstanding of the con-
crete facts and that the alleged eco
nomic Ills In the island are due to the
people themselves and not because of
United States supervision.
The President expressed himself In
letter TO Horace M. Towner. Governor
Of Porto Rico. In response to resolu-
ton adopted by the Porto Rican Legis-
lature. and to a cablegram signed by
the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House, appealing for
freedom TO devise means Of recovering
from whst Is termed the rgrave eco-
nomical situation" existing there.
Hos More Autonomy.
According to Mr.. Coolidges point of
view, the Porto Rican government ex-
ercises a greater degree Of sovereignty
over Its own internal affairs than does
the government Of any territory or
State OF the United States. Moreover.
the President pointed out that the peo-
pie OF the island enjoy liberty and the
protection OF law and at the same time
they. and the island government. are
receiving material assistance through
their association with the continental
United States. He reminded the people
OF the island that they are citizens
OF the United States with all the rights
and privileges OF other United States
citizens, and that these privileges are
those which we're invoked when de-
ciaring for independence at the men,
orable convention at Philadelphia"
The President followed up this re-
minder with a recital Of the conditions
and tendencies found by the United
States In Porto Rico 30 years ago and
compared them with the situation in
that island today. Hc recalled the pow
erty. misery disease and pitiahle eco
nomic conditions that prevailed when
the island became possession OF the
United States and then pointed 10 the
wonderful improvement that has been
brought about since He said also i'll
this connection that before American
occupation the Porto Rican people had
received practically no training In self
government or the free exercise of the
franchise.
Points 10 Progress.
II have set down." he wrote. "a few
scattered facts. which, however. Stlffi-
ciently show the consequence OF Porto
Rico's union with the United States,
We found the people Of Porto Rico poor
and distressed. without hope for the
future. ignorant. poverty stricken and
diseased, not knowing what constituted
a free and democratic government and
without the experience OF having par
ticipated In any government We have
progressed IN the relief OF poverty and
distress, In the eradication OF disease
and have attempted. with some success,
To incuicate In the Inhabitants the basic
ideas OF free democratic government,
We have now In Porto Rico goveru~
ment In which the participation by
Americans from the United states Is
indeed small. We have given Ia the
Porto Rican practically every right and
privilege which We permitted ourselves
To exercise We have now progressed
to the point where encouragement Is
replaced by hope, and while only 30
years ago one was indeed an optimist
To see anything promising In Porto
Rico, today one Ia indeed pesSimtSt
who can ste any reasonable human ami
bition beyond the horizon Of Its people.
ut In not desired tu leave the impress
sion that all progress In Porto Rico Was
due 10 continental Americans, Without
the cooperation and assistance ot Porto
Ricans progress would indeed have been
negligible. but the cooperation II largely
due To the encouragement OF American
assistance, American methods and an
increase In The reward of efforts made,
''rhere has been a natural hesitation
To recall and dwell upon the unfortu~
nate condition ot Porto Rico In the
past. There II a feeling. however. that
the United States Is entitled to Il good
name In its dealing with Porto Rico
and tn protect itself from any reliec~
ton on its good name, Perhaps nn
territory In the world has received such
considerate treatment Ia the past 40
years nj has Porto Rico. and perhaps
nowhere else has progress been Hi
marked and ho apparent as In Porto
Rico. We are certainly entitled ta a
large part of tho credit FOR this atu-
atiun"
In concluainn the President gave u
review In aame little detail III Just
what has been done for Porto Rico In
a material way. principally In the mat
ter OF sehoola and roads, taNes, reIlind~
linz III tariff duties and the develop
ment Of agriculture and Industries and
commerce
'''rhere IA na disposition In America"
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