Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-08
PRESS VIEWS ON
PUERTO RICAN AIMS
Firing on Governor General
Charged to Minority Group
Advocating Terrorism.

Shots aimed at Maj. Gen. Blanton
Winship, Governor General Of Puerto
Rico, revive interest In the American
press in the question Of statehood for
the island. The violence is charged to
a small minority of the islanders who
have been guilty of such acts in the past.
It Is considered significant that the out
break came during the celebration OF
the 40th anniversary OF occupation by
the United States.
1T was the elimination of series OF
acts of terrorism perpetrated by little
band of fiery nationalists," says the
Louisville Courier journal, with the be-
lief that "the explosive outburst was
symptom Of a chronic condition.
1.-THE affair shows that the hotheads
have not all been put in safekeeping,'
concludes the Wilmington 'Delo News
and that paper explains: These zealots
murdered Col. Francis E. Riggs OF ball-
more, head of the insular police, two
years ago. After several OF them were
tried and convicted OF sedition, there
was an attempt on the life OF Federal
Judge Crowder, but the assasslns
missed"
Gen. Winship," according to the
Newark Evening News, has devoted
much time and attention to diversifica-
ton OF crops and to developing island
industries. He has encouraged the grow
ing of cotton, much of which Is shipped
here for the manufacture OF thread.
Puerto Rico suffers from dense popu-
lation, and mountainous and other areas
are unsuitable for cultivation. Indus
trial development is one answer to the
economic problems Of the island"
In view OF the fact that Puerto Rico
is very closely tied to the mainland
commercially" thinks the st. Paul
Pioneer Press, complete independence
does not seem to hold out much II any
hope of solving the islands problems
Even il it did, a minority program OF
demanding independence by assassina-
ton and rioting would hardly hasten the
day when the United States felt able to
let the Puerto Ricans govern them
selves"
American statehood says the Los
Angeles Times. lis the goal Of the lead
ers of the majority in the island, and
good deal Of the seeming dissatisfaction
with the current status Is due to aglta-
ton in this direction. The Roosevelt
administration has spent great deal OF
money to promote the sugar and other
interests OF the island and the recur-
rent demands of the insular Legislature
for statehood are no doubt predlcated IN
part on a desire to have these subsidies
continued. Puerto Rico is not Satlshed
with her present condition, but she en-
phalicallv does not want a breach with
the United States The nationalist as
sassins are likely to get shorter Shrlit
from the native authorities than from
the American"
Statehood is considered by the Helena
(MontD Independent. also, as perhaps
the only solution" while the Chatta-
nooaa Times offers the explanation OF
the existing situation: "A great deal OF
the political controversy in Puerto Rico
grows out OF the fact that the Upper
House of the Legislature is an appointlve
body. The Governor is appointed by
the President of the United States
Gov Winship has held of1lce since 1884
and the President also appoints the
Executive Council or Senate, consisting
of six American and five Puerto Rlcans
The House of Delegates consists OF 80
members elected by the people. There
is a separation of legislative and eXecu-
tive departments. but the Senate. which
is usually dominated by the Governor
has the veto power over the branch
elected by the people"
There is little basis for permanent
union with the United States COM
ments the Omaha World Herald, but
the Hartford Times feels that 40 years
of administration under as light rein
from Washington as their own ability to
maintain order permitted, has satisfied
most Puerto Ricans that the American
flag signifies greater freedom to them
than could be expected under any other
emblem"