New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-01
Republicans Would Side
track independence Bill
During War.
$4,000 JAPANESE
IN HAWAIIAN ISLES
Equivalent to Inviting Agrees
sion, Which Would Mean
a Conflict.

Washington, Aug. 3l.-That 1T would
be A mistake to press at this time the
Jones Philippine independence bill is
the view expressed by the minority
members of the House lnsular AfAirs
Committee in a vigorous report hled TO-
day. The Republican members urge
that the Philippine question be SIDE
tracked while war wages IN Europe
If the United States shows DISPOSE
ton to give the islands freedom now,
the minority intimate, it would only
encourage, Japan TO seize them, along
with the German possessions IN the
Pacific.
I The minority contends that legisla-
ton for the present should be restrict
cd to such emergency measures as VIII
enable the Filipinos to go through the
war period without disaster.
Democratic members of the Rules
Committee have agreed to report soon
q rule giving the Jones bill speclal
privilege. Republican members OF the
lnsuar Affairs Committee call atten-
ton to "A resolution they ohered III
committee while the European war was
in it's earlier stages. This resolution,
voted down by the majority, predlGteu
that Japan would become involved III
the European conflict, amp declared thSt
"the location Of the Philippine ISLANDS
within the active area OF the war opera
lions would make any action OF tnls
committee or Congress unwise ana IN
expedient so long as present conditions
exist" and that the Jones bill should go
over for the present.
The report filed to-day is signed by
representatives Towner, Miller, Fess,
Young, Peters and Frear. The report
says: ,.
"Thc nations involved in the struggle
have many interests and territorial
possessions in close proximity TO the
Philippines. To enter into discussion
as TO our right to acquire the. PhilIp-
mines. as to our rights to hold them
or as to what disposition should pc
made of them at this time IS not only
jmpolitic, but unwise in the extreme
The islands of Japan can be seen on
clear day from the Philippines. DIS
tim yuished Japanese has observed that
the Philippine Archipelago is but a
continuation of their own. Territorial
~ we are in closest relations with
Japan. one Of the nations now at war
still closer are our territorial relations
with Germany.
"The Samoan Islands, located in, the
South Pacific Ocean, are divided be
twccp England, Germany and the
United States. The entire population
of the Hawaiian group is but ,OOo'
OF these, 10000, or nearly hait' are
Japanese. They form by far the largest
element of the population. There are
onlv about 10000 Americans in Hawai-
This group of islands, in the centre OIL
the Pacific Ocean, is probably the most
desirable strategic point in the word.
ct is true that Japan has stated tha'
bor offensive operations would be con
fined to Kiao-chau; but why shoulc.
they, from Japan's point OF view il
augercd by stubborn resistance, severe
Losses and pressed by an ALREADY
aroused war spirit among her people
Japan should seize all OF Germany
Pacific possessions, no one couid u
surprised. .,i.b II
ITO enter upon debate in which al
our relations and interests IN the "a
,iic would be discussed, and our rights
in the Philippines, Hawaii, Samoa anc
Guam challenged, would be to en-.
courage disregard for our interests ano
leave nations with opposing interests
"a believe the United States would no'
go far i'm defence of possessions, SO
TIGHTLY regarded by those in control OIL
the government. To make the nations
Of thc.yorld believe we are anxious "a
oct rid oNthe Philippines, do not desire
70 keen them, have little or no interest
In their retention, is to invite aggreS'
eiop which would mean wear