Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-09-01
DISCUSSION Of
PHILIPPINES IS
DECLARED NW|SE
Minority Of House Committee
Declares Any Agitation Of
Independence at This Time
Would Be Impo|ltlc,
l.v .o.s,~s JOURNAL SPECIAL ls.sso was,


| Washington, Aug. 3l.-To discuss
he disposition Of the Philippines now
would be impolltic, declared minor
| ity report OF the house insular affairs
committee on the pending Jones Phil.
ippine independence bill.
"A distinguished japanese once OBJ
served that the Philippine archipelago
is but continuation of their own.
Territorially we are in closest rela-
lions with Japan. one of the nations
now at war" says the report.
Still closer are our territorial re-
latlons with Germany The Samoan
islands in the South Pacific are d.
vided between England, Germany and
the United States.
Hawaii. with 1e1 600 total popu-
lation has 10000 Japanese and only
about 10000 Americans. This group
of islands in the center OF the Pa
cific ocean is probably the most de-
sirable strategic point In the world.
Would Create False Impression.
1T is true that Japan has stated
that her offensive operations would
be confined to Kaio-Chow, but why
should they, from Japan's point OF
view? If, angered by stubborn resist
ance. severe losses and pressed by an
already aroused war spirit among her
own people, Japan should seize all Of
Germany's Pacific possessions. no one
would be surprised.
ITO enter on debate in which all
our rights in the Philippines, Hawaii.
Samoa and Guam are challenged.
would be to encourage disregard of
our interests and lead nations with
opposing interests to believe that the
United States would not go far in de-
Tense of possessions so lightly regard
ed by those In control Of this govern
ment. TO make the nations Of the
world believe we are anxious to get rid
Of the Philippines, do not desire to
keep Them and have little or no inter-
est In their retention Is TO invite ag-
grcssion which would mean war.
The report was signed by Repre-
sentatives Towner. Iowa; Miller.
MINI: Fcss Ohio; Young. North Da-
kota: Peters. Maine, and Frear, Wis.
who advocated immediate legislation
to meet commercial emergency needs
In the Philippines. The report de-
clares that the minority doesn't object
to the conservative features Of the
Jones bill, which provide for rccogni-
ton of Philippine independence when
the fsilipinos are able to set up sta
BILE government, but adds.
at is significant that the bill is so
much less radical than the Philippine
independence bill Of two years ago
and so much further from doclara-
ton of Independence and gives the
Filipinos SO much less extension of au-
tonomons government.
Two years ago democrats were
clamoring for immediate or quick in
dependence. Now they don't even
suggest an early independence II is
unfortunate that the consideration Of
the bill is forced Into partisan poll
tics.
The majority would be glad to con-
slider at, any time any bill for the ben
eft of the Ff-lpino people and to ex-
tend to them from time to time larg-
er measure Of self-government
1T is unwise TO consider at this time
a complete change In the government
Of the Philippines. There is a great
need just now ofemergency legislation
to which there would be little or no OBJ
lection. A bill to increase the limit
of indebtedness from $5,00o.o00 TO
100000 or any other emergency
measure could be reported out at
once and pass without opposition