National Affairs: Porto Rican Requisition

Our island dependencies, notably the Philippines and Porto Rico, are a source of no little annoyance to the War Department. The Philippines want independence. The Porto Ricans, too, have wanted independence; though their more immediate desire is for the election of the Governor of the island by the citizens.

The Porto Rican Legislature recently authorized a commission to visit Washington to urge this end. In Washington last week Secretary of War Weeks fortified himself for the visit of the Commission by consulting with Major General Mclntyre, chief of the Insular Bureau. Doubtless he will give the islanders a cordial welcome. But he expressed the opinion that under the present regime Porto Rico is enjoying unparalleled prosperity.