Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-01
FREED FILIPINOS
WAR INVITATION
HOUSE INFORMED
Minority Report on Independ.
ence Bill Cites Danger to
the United States. =
MEASURE is TONED DOWN
Purpose to Eventually Allow Island
People to Rule Themselves 1,
Not Abandoned. -

Washington, d. C., Sept. THE na-
tons involved in the far eastern strus.
gle have many interests and terrttor.
ial possessions in close proximity 10
the Philippines and to discuss the
disposition of the Philippines at this
time would be impolitic and extrems-
Iy unwise," declared minority report
OF the house insular affairs committes
yesterday on the pending Philippine
independence bill.
The report, signed by the republ,.
cans of the committee, declares Jauan
might seize all Of Germany's Pacific
possessions.
"a distinguished japanese" the re.
port said, once observed that the
Philippine archipelago is only a con-
tinuation of their own. Territorially
we are in closest relations with japan.
one of the nations now at war.
still closer are our territorial rela.
tons with Germany The Samoan IS
lands, in the south Pacific, are divided
among England, Germany and the
United States.
Hawaii, with $4,000 population,
has $4,000 japanese and only about
10000 Americans This group, of is
lands in the center of the Pacific
ocean is probably the most desirable
strategic point in the world.
Japan May Extend Operations.
at Is true that japan has stated that
it's offensive operations would be con-
fined to Kiau-Chau. but why should
70
angered by stubborn resistance, Sc
we're losses and pressed by an already
aroused war spirit among its own PEG.
pie, Japan should seize all of Ger
many's Pacific possessions, no one
would be surprised.
ITO enter on debate in which all our
relations and interests in the Pacific
would be discussed and our rights in
the Philippines, Hawaii, Samoa and
Guam, challenged, would be to encour-i
age disregard to our interests and lead
nations with opposing interests to be-
lieve that the United States would not
go far in defense Of possessions so
lightly regarded by those in control
of this government
ITO make the nations of the world
believe we are anxious to get rid of
the Philippines, do not desire to keep
them, have little or no interest in
their retention. is to invite aggression
which would mean war"
Bill Is Less Drastic.
The report was signed by Represen-
tatives Towner, Iowa; Miller. Mime
sofa; Tess, Ohio; Young, North Da-
kota; Peters, Maine, and Frear of Wis
consin, who advocated immediate leg
islation to meet commercial emergency
needs in the Philippines.
The report declares that the minor
ity do not object to the conservative
features of the Jones bill which pro-
vide for recognition of Philippine indie
pendence when the Filipinos are abba
to set up a stable government, but
adds:
1T is significant that the bill Is 50
much less radical than the Philippine
independence bill of two years ago and
so much further from & declaration OF
independence and gives the Filipinos
so much less extension of autonomous
government.
Two years ago the democrats were
clamoring for immediate or quick IN
dependence. Now they do not even
suggest an early independence. II Is
unfortunate that the consideration OF
the bill is forced into partisan poll
tics.
THE minority would be glad TO con-
slider at any time any bill for the ben
eft of the Filipino people and to ex-
tend TO them from time to time
larger measure Of self-government