Evening star., 1914-08-23
PHILIPPINES DECISION
NOW, PLEADS QUEzON
Regards War Situation as Argument
for Declaration of Insular
Policy.
Resident Commissioner Points Out
Trade Peril-Solution of Problems
in Enactment of Legislation.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In the editorial published in your issue
Of August q, entitled 1.-THE Philip
pines" in which you oppose the enact
ment of legislation affecting the islands
because matters in the far east have
just darkened," there appears this
query: rs this the proper time for
bringing up the Philippines question in
Congress? If SO. why?"
take 1t a candid answer would be
welcome, and, therefore. 1 beg to give
the following reply:
This is undoubtedly the proper time for
bringing up the Philippines question ir
Congress. and for giving it precisely the
solution offered by the bill which has
just been favorably acted upon by the
House committee on insular affairs.
Features of Measure.
There are two chief features in this
bill: The preamble. which declares to be
the purpose Of the American people te
grant Philippine independence when a
stable government can be established in
the islands, thus definitely settling
through congressional declaration. the
Philippines policy of the United States
and the body of the bill. which grants
more powers to the Philippine govern
ment and enlarges the political rights Of
the Filipino people.
For two reasons. at least, this declara-
ton of policy should now be made. First.
because the Filipino people should be as
sured at this psychological moment that
they may rest easy as to their future.
since the United States will not, under
any circumstances, betray its trust; Sec
ond, because the definite settlement by
the United States of the Philippines ques-
tion will facilitate the work of diplo-
macy in adjusting affairs in the far east
when the war Is over.
Partisan Spirit Not Necessary.
sons for postponing discussion Of the
Philippines question the fact that there
will be "a partisan debate" in Congress.
full of PERIL But why should there be
such a partisan debate? Cannot the
American Congress examine and discuss
the Philippines question: matter affect
ing the rights and welfare of millions of
human beings-purely as a great national
question to be solved only according to
the most rigid dictates of morals and of
justice: l, for one. think too highly OF
the representatives Of the American peo-
pie to believe that they cannot in such a
case as this rise above partisan politics.
The editorial itself proceeds:
THE republicans have repeatedly an
nounced friendship for the Fflipinos and
approved of a policy to grant them inde-
pendence as soon as they shall be ready
for supporting government of their
own. And, as a matter of fact, the demo-
Neither party fixes a time for the with
drawal Of American authority from the
islands"
If this Is true. why should there be any
partisan debate? Why should there be
any differences of opinion between demo-
Gratis and republicans on this bill?
Relief Measures Imperative.
So much with regard to the preamble
When we come to the provisions Of the
bill dealing with the administration and
government of the Philippine Islands, its
enactment becomes matter of per-
emptory necessity.
The bill is, in fact, owing to the war, an
emergency measure. Both the Philippines
government and the Filipino farmer are
in dire distress and In absolute need of
immediate help: Such help is properly
afforded by the bill.
The customs receipts of the Philippines
government. which are the main source
Of revenue in the islands, are now almost
nil, because European merchandise is
practically no longer imported into the
country and American goods are not
taxed there. The Philippines government
Is consequently in serious financial trouble
with no means Of getting out Of the
difficulty, because the legislation enacted
by Congress and now in force in the
islands conferred but limited financial
power on that government.
War Imperils Crops.
The principal crops of the archipelago.
excepting sugar. are mainly exported to
Europe. Having neither means of trans
portation nor a ready market for their
products. the farmers are badly in need
Of help which the government is now un-
able to give.
The bill which has just been approved
by the committee on insular affairs. con-
fers upon the Philippines government the
powers necessary to meet successfully Its
own embarrassment and come to the
rescue of the Filipino farmer. 1t should.
therefore, be enacted at once.
MANUEL L. QUEZON,
Resident commissioner from the Philip
pines.