Evening star., 1914-06-03
WORKING ON A BILL
T0FREE EF|L|P|N0S
Representative Jones Expects
to Have Measure Ready for
House Soon.
TALKS WITH PRESIDENT
AS TO DETAILS OF PLAN
No Attempt Will Be Made to Fix
Time for Independence
Of Islands.

Representative William A. Jones of
Virginia. who has been engaged for
number of weeks preparing a bill
looking to the ultimate independence
of the Philippines. conferred for half
an hour today with President Wilson
as to the features of the measure.
On returning to the Capitol he said
he expected to introduce the bill in
the House within a few days and that
it would be referred to the insular
AFFAIRS committee for consideration.
Mr.. Jones is chairman Of the insular
anafrs committee and naturally will
direct the preparation of a bill there
for consideration by the House. Mr..
Jones today did not wish to discuss
the features of the bill. but stated
that it would follow closely the Balti-
more platform.
1t would be impracticable for legislation
to fix time for permanent recognition OF
independence. and the aim of the law
that will eventually be passed will be to
aid the Filipinos in establishing a stable
government, and whenever the govern
ment of the United States determines
that there is a stable government the
President will issue a proclamation from
free.
Unable to Fix Time.
Representative Jones said that he has
always been optimistic about the qualif-
pendence. but he did not care today to
fix the number of years he thinks they
will be in arriving at the stage when
they will be capable of looking out for
themselves. He is understood to believe
that in five or six years the Fflfpinos
will have mastered the science of gov
ernment so they can proceed In their
own way. Mr.. Jones did not wish to
prophesy what may happen to the legis-
lation at this session Of Congress, except
to say that he will endeavor to have it
passed in the House and sent to the Sen
ate. where he thinks it could be put
through at this session. The general be
lief, however. is that such legislation will
no: pass Congress for another year and
probably two years.
Senator owen conferred with the
President about bill Mr.. Owen has
completed providing for extending and
broadening the laws touching upon direct
elections. The bill includes cloture in
the Senate, presidential primary eiee-
tions and other elections and the per-
fection Of the corrupt practices act. His
object is, he said. ito put the election Of
ofacers Of the government in the hands
Of the majority"
10 AnndpolS on MayuoWel.
President Wilson. after his speech at
the dedication of the Confederate monu-
ment in Arlington tomorrow afternoon,
will leave Washington on the Mayfower
for a water trip to Annapolis. where he
will deliver diplomas to the graduates
of the Naval Academy Friday morning
at 10 o'clock. He will remain at An
napolis until Friday afternoon. when he
will return to Washington on the May
flower. His exact plans have not been
decided upon, but 1t is not expected that
the President will get back to Washing
ton before Saturday afternoon, and he
may prolong his stay on water until Mon
day morning. The trip will be the first
of the kind in long time and the long
est the President has taken on the gov
ernment yachts at his disposal Mrs.
Wilson and other members of the Presi-
dents family will accompany him.