The present unsettled situation has caused the Madrid Esfera to
send a special correspondent on a tour of the former Spanish colonies to note the progress made in the quarter of a century elapsed since 1898. This authority considers that the majority of the Porto Ricans realize that complete independence is practically impossible. Progressive opinion is, therefore, concen- trating its efforts on an attempt to obtain self-govern- ment for Porto Rico along the lines of the Irish Free State. The correspondent of La Esfera writes as follows :— "Porto Ricans will now fight for entire home rule. They want a Porto Rican Government, Porto Rican officials in the various branches of the administration, Porto Rican troops, and Porto Rican police. They hope to achieve their aims by lawful means. But the agitation in the Philippines seems to be finding echo • in Porto Rico and to spread the feeling that the colonial enterprises of the United States are ending in a fiasco."
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