Evening star., 1912-09-14

MASSES TO DECIDE
Opposition to Independence of
Philippine Islands.
NOT DEMANDED BY PEOPLE
Former Governor of One of the Is
lands Expresses Views-Pend-
ing Bill Disapproved.
NOT DEMANDED BY PEOPLE

Capt. Charles A. Reynolds, former gov
ernor OF the province Of Afbay. Philippine
Islands, and c. X. Bradbury, q former
resident of this city, but now postmaster
at Legaspi. Luzon. are making visit to
Washington, having just returned from
the annual encampment OF the United
Spanish War Veterans. held at Atlantic
City, n. ]. Both are praising the action
of the encampment in adopting a resolu-
ton urging the government Of this coun-
try to maintain its control OF the Philip
pines. Capt Reynolds introduced the
measure. 1t is in direct opposition to a
bill. now pending in the House of Rep
resentatives. which favors making the
Philippines independent by treaty be-
tween this and a number of the other
great powers.
The resolution sets forth in part that
since the. United States acquired the IS
lands partly by the use of arms and part
ly by the payment oil s20OOO.U:O to Spain,
1t assumed by implication certain obl1ea-
tioEs to the Filipinos and other persons
living there, to protect life and property
and guarantee fair opportunity to de-
velop and advance, not only socially and
politically, but also agriculturally, COM
mercially and industrially.
substance OF HeSOlut1Ou.
Following clause opposing the act OF
making the islanders Independent until
they have conclusively shown that the
masses rather than the island politicians
want independence, and util they have
fully demonstrated their ability to un-
dertake the administration of their pub
lie affairs upon their own account, the
resolution sets forth that the independ-
ence of the Filipnos is not present
proper question for consideration and ac-
ton. and in no sense one OF partisan
politics, an obvious and emphatic reason
being that the United States has not as
yet and cannot have for perhaps some
years in the future fully discharged its
duties, assumed when the islands were
taken over, to fit the Philippine people.
materially and educationally. to intelli-
gently and safely express and declare
what political status they are best quail
fled ana equipped for. whether govern
ment purely and wholly Independent of
all other nations, or home rule. with the
superior source of power centered at
Washington
Capt. Reynolds, who explained the stu
alton to the veterans, Is said to have an
intimate knowledge Of the archipelago
possessions, inasmuch as he was the only
American elected governor in any one of
the thirty-nine provinces.
Argument Against Release.
In defense Of the resolution opposing
the release of the Philippines. Capt.
Reynolds said. 1T is only the politicians
Of the islands who seek their independ-
enee. These represent about ; per cent
of the population. The substantial and
educated property holders and land
owners have not asked for nor do they
want independence, now or soon. These
people form so per cent of the population
That so per cent belonging to the tao
class, agricultural and other laborers. are
wholly unprepared to determine govern
mental questions for themselves, and in
the event of early independence would
blindly follow leaders. and these would
be politicians frequently unscrupulous.
Il predict that when the time shall
arrive that the F'ilipinos may be safely
intrusted to select a form of government
best suited to them and their interests
they will declare their desire to remain
with and to be a part Of the United
States
Former Gov Reynolds praised the ad-
ministration of public affairs in the Phil
ippines. asserting that there is total alb
sence of graft by officials, American or
native, and said the judicial ermine was
spotless.
New Office Created.
Mr.. Bradbury was unanimously elected
to one of two new positions created in the
veterans organization this year-that of
deputy commander-in- chief of the Philip
pines The other Office. that of deputy
ommander-in- n-chief of Cuba. was filled