=The Philippines and Porto Rico.=—­Independence for the Philippines and larger self-government for Porto Rico had been among the policies of the Democratic party since the campaign of 1900.  President Wilson in his annual messages urged upon Congress more autonomy for the Filipinos and a definite promise of final independence.  The result was the Jones Organic Act for the Philippines passed in 1916.  This measure provided that the upper as well as the lower house of the Philippine legislature should be elected by popular vote, and declared it to be the intention of the United States to grant independence “as soon as a stable government can be established.”  This, said President Wilson on signing the bill, is “a very satisfactory advance in our policy of extending to them self-government and control of their own affairs.”  The following year Congress, yielding to President Wilson’s insistence, passed a new organic act for Porto Rico, making both houses of the legislature elective and conferring American citizenship upon the inhabitants of the island.

[Illustration:  THE CARIBBEAN REGION]

=American Power in the Caribbean.=—­While extending more self-government to its dominions, the United States enlarged its sphere of influence in the Caribbean.  The supervision of finances in Santo Domingo, inaugurated in Roosevelt’s administration, was transformed into a protectorate under Wilson.  In 1914 dissensions in the republic led to the landing of American marines to “supervise” the elections.  Two years later, an officer in the American navy, with authority from Washington, placed the entire republic “in a state of military occupation.”  He proceeded to suspend the government and laws of the country, exile the president, suppress the congress, and substitute American military authority.  In 1919 a consulting board of four prominent Dominicans was appointed to aid the American military governor; but it resigned the next year after making a plea for the restoration of independence to the republic.  For all practical purposes, it seemed, the sovereignty of Santo Domingo had been transferred to the United States.

In the neighboring republic of Haiti, a similar state of affairs existed.  In the summer of 1915 a revolution broke out there—­one of a long series beginning in 1804—­and our marines were landed to restore order.  Elections were held under the supervision of American officers, and a treaty was drawn up placing the management of Haitian finances and the local constabulary under American authority.  In taking this action, our Secretary of State was careful to announce:  “The United States government has no purpose of aggression and is entirely disinterested in promoting this protectorate.”  Still it must be said that there were vigorous protests on the part of natives and American citizens against the conduct of our agents in the island.  In 1921 President Wilson was considering withdrawal.