Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-11
Comment on the
Philippine Action.

| Washington, Oct. 10-The administra-
tons step toward ultimate independ-
ence for the Philippines by giving Fill
ipinos control of the commission, and
consequently of the Upper House of
the legislative body, has caused con-
siderable comment and a great deal
of speculation as to what the result
will be. Those who disapprove the step
fqualify their disapproval by the be-
lief that in thus granting the Filipinos
a larger part in the control of the gov
eminent The administration has sat
isfied the popular demand that some
| thing be Gone and that the move will
have the effect of stopping for the
time being the demand for a duly
elected Upper House of Filipinos.
This last, many consider, would be
a dangerous thing to grant. There are
critics here who think that independ-
ence of the Philippines is still far off,
and that, when all things are eonsid-
| cred, the creation of a majority for
| the natives on the commission is not
| a radical advance, as the Filipino
members are practically selected by
/ the governor general and are not APP
pointed for any definite term of office.
| A member of President Wilson's
cabinet said, Tuesday. that he hoped
the Philippines could be given COM
Iplete independence during the present
administration, and that he believed
the Filipinos We're more nearly ready
Tor self government than most persons
over here believed. He added that he
spoke for himself alone, and gave on
| 1,, nnininnc 10 caj6 that
his desire to be rid of the islands be-
gan when he was still cheering the
victory of Admiral Dewey. The matter
had not been discussed at cabinet
meeting, he declared.
| An important question of policy
which must soon be decided, if the ad-
ministration is intent on granting i'm
mediate independence, concerns the
disposal or retention of the great mil
itary establishments which the Unit
| ed States has constructed, particularly
the fertilization of Corregidor Island
| in Manila bay. and the naval station
at Cavite. Millions of dollars have been
expended there, and the question which
arises is whether the United States
will retain a Far Eastern base or
whether the withdrawal which will ac-
company independence shall be COM
plete, inclusive of both civil and mill
tary establishments. II the fortifica-
items and naval station are abandon
ed they doubtless will be turned over
to the Filipinos4 and the new native
government probably will be asked to
pay for them
1t IS pointed out here that there is
nothing particularly new in the pol
Iicy OF the administration in taking a
step toward ultimate independence. as
that was the policy pursued by all the
previous administrations which had
| to do with the Philippines. Attention
| is called to a statement made by MI
Taft then secretary of war, in a re-
port to President Roosevelt, in jan
uary, 1908. in which he said
There are in the Philippines many
who wish that the government shall
declare a definite policy in respect to
the islands, so that they may know
what that policy is. I do not see how
any more definite policy can be de-
clared than was declared by Presl-
dent Mckinley in his instructions to
Secretary Root. That policy
| is declared to be the extension or sell
government to the Philippine Islands
| bv gradual steps from time to time as
the people of the islands shall show
themselves fit to receive the addltionai
responsibility, and that policy mas
been consistently adhered to in the last
seven years now succeeding the estap-
lushment of civil government
Secretary Bryan, who is absent IN
the South, authorized, Tuesday, the
following statement:
Il have read the Presidents declara-
ton of policy with regard to the Phh-
ippine Islands with great Satisfaction
| and rejoice that the pledge of the DEM
ocratic platform has been fulfilled py
the promise of ultimate independence