Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-12-05

as many minor offices as is possible to
capable Filipinos The direct promise
of President Wilson has been that
ultimate independence for the islands
is the Democratic intention.
Members of congress think that
these things already done for the Fill
pinos in the way of encouragement
mean that the bill of Representative
Jones of Virginia to give the islands
actual independence in 1921 will not
be pushed for some little time. The
appointments to offices and other
things are taken by some members
as sufficient acts of encouragement to
the Filipinos that eventually the
Democrats can be trusted to give
them full liberty.
1t was the set intention OF tho
Democrats to pass the Jones bill or
a substitute for it either at the special
session now drawing to a close or in
the early days of the regular session
which will begin in December. The
administration seems to have taken
the wind out of the sails of congress-.
Mr.. Wilson has heard some things
from men who have made Philippine
conditions study and it seems not at
all unlikely that he has been moved
by what he has heard to oppose i'm
mediate consideration of the Virginia
representatives measure.
Wilson Thinks They Should Wait.
The reports of the officials of the
bureau of insular affairs are not alto
gether cheering to men who would
like to give large measure of free
dom to the Filipinos Immediately. 1t
is likely that these reports have in
fuepced the president in part and
that the private advice of the officials
have influenced him in greater part.
1t is said by some men that Mr.. VIII
son intends to give such recognition
to the F'ilipinos as the adminitration
legally can, and thus to appease them
SO that they will be content to stop
demanding that the Jones bill receive
the sanction of congress at once. In
other words, it is said the admins
tration seems to believe the islanders
are not ready yet even for qualified
independence and that 1t is better for
them Ito walt yet awhile"
When the Jones bill first was intro
duced the Democrats in congress flung
ranks of independence. Representa-
tive Jones, it is said. is confident that
the Fflipinos are prepared for larger
liberties and the heavier duties Of
self-government 1t may be that in
December the house of representa-
tives, If not the senate. will find itself
in direct antagonism to the admins
tration on this Democratic platform
question OF quick liberty for the
wards across the sea-
Interest In G. o. p. Convention.
Members of congress apparently
are taking a much keener inter
es. today in the forthcoming meeting
of the Republican national cor
mittee than they are in the curreEesS
antitrust or any of the other legisla-
tion under consideration or to come
under it within the next Elk months
Democrats. conservative Republicans,
progressive Republicans and Progress
sives all are either gossiping or talk
ing seriously, and in some cases ap-
prehensiveS, concerning the outcome
Of the meeting of the committee
whose duty will be to call the repre-
sentatives OF the Republican party to-
gether in extraordinary national ses-
sion.
Republican leaders who are inclined
to progressivism and those who are
inclined to extreme conservatism have
written on the subject of the gather
ing OF which they hope much and fear
more. The fear of the conservatives
concerns itself almost wholly with an
af for nt ha nf oil
to the convention to make a declara-
tion of principles. Progressive Repub-
licans in Washington say that the con-
vention will consider only changes In
rules, but they seem to feel that an
attempt Will be made to put the dele
gates on record as in favor OF policies
which the Republicanism of the old
time did not sanction.
Among the progressive Republican
leaders there seems to be sincerity of
desire that nothing shall be put over
on their friends of reaction when
the national convention assemblies.
From what these leaders say. how
ever. it is apparent that they believe
1t will be almost impossible to pre-
vent the delegates from taking mat
ters into their own hands and making
attempt to secure the passage of reso-
lutions or. the giving of some kind OF
an intimation that the party intends
to cut loose from some of the policies
of the past and to take up those which
the Progressives have made present.
and which the progressive Republi-
cans hope to make future policies.
Change Of Rules Not Enough.
Politicians of all parties in Wash
ington are asking why It is necessary
to have a Republican convention IL