The Washington herald., 1913-01-20
mo PHILIPPINE
Freedom Soon
Democratic Leaders Abandon
Plan to Pass Jones Bill
at This Session.
TAFT WOULD VETO IT
Special Session Planned by Wilson
Will Not Consider This
Legislation.

That the Democratic leaders have
abandoned their plan to enact legislation
looking 10 the Independence Of the Philip
pines at this session OF Congress became
known here yesterday, following Presl-
dent Taft's speech on the Philippines in
New York Saturday night. II also was
learned that the present disposition of
the Democratic leaders is to refrain from
any attempt TO change the status of the
Philippines in the extra session Of Con-
gress. which President-elect Wilson has
pledged himself to call soon after his
Inauguration. These two important de-
cislons. but recently arrived at by the
Democratic house and Senate leaders.
probably will result, therefore. in the
Philippine question being postponed for
nearly n year, or until the next regular
session of Congress, beginning Decem-
ber, 1919
President Taft's repeated declarations
of opposition 10 the Jones bill, or any
similar plan for comforting Independence
upon the Filipinos in the near future,
have convinced the sponsors of the Jones
measure that it would be useless to pass
the measure at this session. They realize
that IL would be vetoed at the White
House just as soon as II reached the
Presidents hands. 1t also is understood
that the House Democrats believe II
wiser to postpone passage of the Jones
bill until they have a stronger hold on
the Senate than is the case at the pres
ent session.
To pass the Jones bill in both House
and Senate at an early date mas peei,
the plan of the Democratic leaders until
yery recently Conferences of the lead
ers with President-elect Wilson has re-
suited, however. in considerable uncer-
tsinty as 10 whether the measure VIII
he taken up even in the extra session.
Several OF the influential leaders have
urged President-elect Wilson not 10 m
clud Philippine legislation in the speclal
session programme. but TO restrict II TO
the tariff and currency legislation. and
Mr. Wilson il is understood. is inclined
TO follow that course.
Wilson Approves Course.
1t is stated that the President-elect
agreed with the leaders in Washington
that Congress probably will have enough
on its hand with these two problems
without undertaking to legislate on the
Philippines, and that it is the duty of
the party to the people who voted IL
into power to proceed with these two
reforms as expeditiously as possible.
This decision of the Democratic leaders
TO POSTPONE consideration OF the Philip
pine question for a year will prove a
severe blow to the plans and hopes of
the Filipinos themselves. when II be-
comes known to their representatives In
Washington and IN the islands. Manuel
Quezon, the Filipino delegate n Con-
gress. who has been most arduous in
promoting the plan for freeing the Phil
ippines, has been confident that the
Jones bill surely would be passed at the
extra session. IL not passed during the
present session. Advices from the Phil
ippines received in Washington indicate
a tremendous political activity already
under way. the leaders of which appar-
entity having acted upon the presumption
that the Jones bill. granting limited in
dependence for seven years, and then
absolute freedom, would he made law in
a few months