New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-17
calls PHILIPPINES
USELESS TO U. S.
H. S. Martin, Vice-Gov-
ernor of Islands, Urges
Freeing Them.
SENATE COMMITTEE
TO HEAR TAFT, TOO
Yesterdays Witness Asked to
Attend Then, as Different Views
May Be Expected.

Washington, Dec. 16.-Prompt pas
sage Of the bill to give the Philippine
Islands a greater measure Of self-gov-
eminent, the preamble Of which de-
clares that the purpose of this govern
ment is to grant complete independence
when stable government has been
erected there, was urged before the
Senate Philippines Committee to-day
bv Henderson S. Martin, Vice-Governor
of the islands.
Explaining that he spoke for himself,
without seeking TO reflect the opinions
of the administration in Washington
or Manila, Mr. Martin declared he be-
lieved a definite date upon which com
plete independence would be granted
should be announced.
"The Filipinos believe, and have be-
lieved ever since the American occupa-
tion," he said, that we would do Just
what this preamble says we will do.
They confidently expect the passage Of
the bill, and TO amputate the preamble
would shake their faith in our good in
tentions toward them"
Mr.. Martin expressed the opinion
th-t the United States ought to leave
the islands, bag and baggage" when
il goes. He did not look with favor
upon suggestions that an international
agreement for the naturalization of the
group be sought
Holds Islands Useless TO Us.
81 cannot understand in what way we
would lose by granting complete inde-
pendence," he explained. THE Islands
are of no value to US commercially un-
der our present system of government,
and they are a positive weakness from
a military standpoint. / have been told
by military men that we could not de-
fend them against any country closer
at hand"
Mr.. Martin was satisfied that the
Filipinos were capable of governing
themselves. Were the money avail
able. he said. il would be possible to
increase the 100000 public school chill
dren to 100000 in a short time, as he
had never seen such eagerness 10 learn.
Senator Lippitt asked how business
men of the islands felt toward lnde-
pendence proposals. American and
other foreigners opposed It, the wit
ness replied, but the Filipnos, except
the Indifferent peasant class, were a
unit in desiring it.
Regarding the treatment which
might be gwen the non-Christian peo-
pies by a wholly Filipino legislature
Mr. Martin said work among these
tribesmen now was directed by Fill
Pine chairman, who displayed more
earnestness TO serve the wild people
than an American might be expected to
show under similar circumstances.
Mcintyre Criticises Bill.
Brigadier General Frank Mcintyre
chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs,
submitted an opinion to-day that pro-
visions of the bill widely extending the
electorate of the islands should be
omitted. The War Department be-
lieves, he said, that as an election
would closely follow the enactment OF
the new law, great confusion would
result from granting franchise to all
citizens capable of reading and writing
"nstive language"
The department recommended also
that the right Of American residents
of the islands TO vote or hold Office
be safeguarded in the bill OF rights
and that an auditor and civil service
director for the Philippines be ap-
pointed by the President.
Viewing the measure as whole,
General Mcintyre said the department
believed it to be a conservative and
excellent measure which would be to
the great advantage of the Filipinos."
Former President Taft will appear
before the committee probably early
in January, and Dean Worcester, for
merly Philippine Commissioner, will
testify December 80 under an invita-
tion sent him to-day. Senator Hitch
cock, chairman of the committee, asked
Mr.. Martin to attend those hearings,
suggesting that both Mr.. Taft and Mr..
Worcester, probably will express diff
ferent views from those you hold"