The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-02
HOT DEBATE AHEAD
OVER PHILIPPINES
By JOHN SNURE.

Early in the coming session OF Con-
gress the Senate will take up the Phil
ippines bill, and. no doubt will become
involved in a hot debate over it Not
much attention was paid last session
% the discussion in the House, but the
Senate debate will command more no
Jice
This is the more true because Just now
international affairs are much in the
public eye. American relations with the
rest Of the world require critical watch
ing and 1t is impossible to consider the
Philippines question with any frankness
without considering the international
situation and especially the situation in
the Pacific.
II is generally assumed that the
Philippines bill will be passed this ses-
sion. 1t has already gone through the
House and remains 10 be taken up by
the Senate. Lately, however, there have
been some signs of s1ch strenuous op-
position in the Senate that it is regarded
As uncertain whether II will pass The
chances are IL will be forced to pas
sage, but there are obstacles in the way
which may block il. One Of the OBJ
stacles is the necessity of passing the
appropriation bills if an extra session
is TO be avoided, and to pass these Will
take lot of time.
Not Independence.
The Jones bill relating to the Philip
pines, as it passed the House, does not
by any means give the islands indie
pendence. 1t provides for an elective
senate and contains an expression that
independence should be granted to the
Islands. No date for independence,
however. is fixed. Another Congress
could repeal il just as well as not. and
The islands would be no nearer in
dependence than before. In fits original
form. il had much more meaning. be-
cause il provided for complete indie
pendence in 1921.
Objections to the bill. as expressed by
House members and Senators who op-
pose IL, are that the Philippines are far
rom fitted for Independence: that they
cannot govern themselves; that if left
10 themselves disorder win break out
and the archipelago speedily will pass
into the hands of Japan or some other
treat power. Many say, in fact that
> give uD the islands amounts to pre-
stntng them 10 Japan. It Is strongly
objected that development of the is
2nos viii be hindered by passage of the
Jones bill, because as soon as 1t is
passed American capital will cease TO
Eo INTO the group TO develop them.
Hard To Defend.
The main reason given openly by the
advocates Of independence for the
islands is that this nation ought not
mold a subject people under its domina-
ZION. The strongest practical reason for |
letting the islands go, as viewed by |
from a military point of view and would |
he q great weakness 10 this country in /
time Of war. 1t is also urged that the /
isi2nds are a burden TO this country in /
2 financial sense. This, however. is not |
atrlctly true. The cost of subduing the |
Islands was heavy. but in recent wears
rhe administration OF the government |
OF the Philippines has not cost this
country anything.
From a military point Of view, the
wise course for this Government would
probably be TO drop the islands and
iet them go their way. absolutely re-
!lnqUishing any hold on them, unless
10 retain one or two coaling stations.
No military man Of judgment believes
ne islands could be defended by this
COUNTRY for any length Of time unless,
Jerch6nde, the American navy was able |
10 dominate the Pacific II the Ameri-
an navv lost control of the Pacific. the
philippines could be seized without
mich trouble
This, however. is not in conformity
" It'll the Democratic platform. If It is
-arr1ed out, ii Will require US to guar |
lntee the independence Of the islands
lnul naturalization can be secured
Ihus far there is no sign naturalization
an be secured
Against the plan OF guaranteeing in
dependence for the islands IL is pointed
out that this would mean something
perilous in the extreme. II would
amount TO trying 90 extend the Mon
zoe Doctrine into part of the Orient
.nd might be provocative Of serious
This phase of the matter is the more
worthy Of notice. since thus far there
has been no indication that neutraliza-
non OF the islands can be brought