The Washington times., 1914-12-27
MAY PROBE UNREST
IN THE PHILIPPINES

Growing out of the arrests FOR Sc
dition in the Philippines and the re-
ports OF widespread plots of inSurrec-
ton. Congress may conclude to defer
action on the Philippine independence
= till at this session and put it over to
The next Congress. If that is done.
number Of the members OF the In
sular Committee in the House and the
Philippines Committee in the Senate
viii probably visit the islands to find
out conditions for themselves and not
from hearSaN
Whether a joint commission is nam
81 to visit the islands and examine
INTO conditions is doubtful although
such action is a possibility. Some OF
ihe members Of the committees hav-
ruE jurisdiction OF the Philippines
question would like To see action de
ierred in order TO have time TO visit
the islands next summer.
Senator Kenyon has already urged
Inc committee on Philippines in the
senate 10 delay action. lie has de-
clsred his intention Of going to the
philippines ana look into conditions
Tor himself. He purposes, moreover,
To go at his own expense.
Fear Open Revolution.
Solution OF the Philippines question
looms UP Tally as a more and more
difficult matter. With unrest in the
Islands, as there undoubtedly is. no
body knows what will be the effect II
This Congress fails TO pass the in
dependence bill. Many believe the
discomfort Of an element of the Fill
plnOs VIII be so great that il will
.iare up into open revolution.
On the other hand. those who oppose
immediate action say me outbreak now,
Ieporteo from Manila demonstrate that
The Philippines are untitled to govern
themselves and that il would abe Eclly
20 turn them loose in the near future
20 be torn 10 pi-ses in civil strife and
'hcn swallowed uP by Japan, and per-
Laps other powers cooperating with ia
IAN
At the same time. there is a large
ma probably increasing element in
.pnErCss convinced that this country
Nght 10 stOD consulting the welfare
= the Fiiipinos and ought to get rid
y them for two reasons, one military
I'd the other economic. and that ,he
nitcd States ought 10 quit the islands
rs quickly as possible and got 1ut
bag and baggage" As a military prop
Aluoo, every army officer knows the
nitod States cannot defend the Phil
opincs and the commercial benefits TO
MS country Of owning them are not
cry " NlNCoNtF.
May Force Bill Through.
Il is possible that this element will
ne strong enough TO force the Philippine
iii through this session in spite Of Op-
1osition, but it does not seem likely
u present As a matter OF fact, A good
many members OF Congress who are
,alking about independence with bcncy-
"lent language are really DESTROYS of
getting rid of the islands foE military
md economic reasons, but do not care
90 say so.
Just how far-reaching is the iusIr-
octionarv movement which is now dis
.lrbnE the islands II is impossible a.
vet 20 say.
The War Department is still without
10 reply from Governor Geue.aI ITurri-
on asking for The facts a. TO reports
". arrests and plots reported b. cable
a An "rlcaH uowspapSrs.
Indications are that the present in |
strr"ru"HarE movement is largely |
Cited by kIcaTte. professional Sedi-
onist who has been cZiIed to Bong /,
BIS one, and who. through agents. has I
zen selling commissions to Filipinos /
10 ol-ahiZlng an opera bUuffe TevOlu- ]
ION Tor The money he can get out Of I
TO- n ls charged RiCartc malEcs his .
wing bv selling bogus commissions TO
lhpnos who are dazzicj by the pros
ecu oi wearing uI forms Of gene -alS in 4.
evolutionary army.
whether tneT" Is more 20 the present
movement Than plots Matched bv HI
TaIts.s anpcs q Is impossible a. vet 70
say. some charge that American and
.DTciEH business interests opDosrd ia J
dependence are stirring up trouble 10
block the passage Of the Philippines
su-
Denies Aguinaldo Involved.
Congressman Miller Of Minnesota
member OF the IIoUsc Insular Affairs
committee. who recently visited he is
snds ana studied conditions carefully.
- nd who understands the situation well.
sas asked about tho reports Jf a brewing /
evolution. lie believes there is serious /
Unrest i'm The islands due TO the Unwisc I
1Olicy Of Governor General Harrison.
his has resulted in The FnipiHos ccas- /
~ TO have respect for American au-
Hurity. with the natural consequences |
such a situation.
Mr.. Miller said he had known for
-oInc months OF the ACTIVITY Of IsicaTte I
and his agents. He said. however, ii 1
vas not true that Asuinaldo was in
rolEcd in anv revolutionary movement. !
slr Miller knows AguinaldO we'll. and
siked with him ct length when he Was
'n tie Islands.
Mr.. Miller called attention 10 the fact
nat about IhToc months ago there was
"I lnsurIectiOnary outbreak wihCn Cen
raj Riggs. Of the commission Of the
"a tlHent Of commerce and police. an
hi" official. Undertook 10 handl" ViEor-
Hl7gF. But Governor Gene al Harrison
SIs1 not stand for this. and the result
as 5eriOus friction which called for
sa<srS from this end TO smooth II over.