The Washington times., 1914-01-04
MANUEL L. QUEZ0N,
Resident Commissioner of Philippines.
Faint Signs of Trouble Emanate
From Archipelago as Result
of Unrestraint Placed Upon
Its Lawmakers.
By John SNURE.

SANONG.
Dismal forebodings of trouble are be-
ginning to emanate from the Philip
pines and find their way to Washington.
Strange whisperings are heard to the
effect that Americans and Europeans
in the islands are fearful and appre-
hensive both in respect to business in
the archipelago and in regard to po-
litical conditions
With the change of policy from the
course taken by the Roosevelt and Taft
Administrations to the one taken by
Wilson, uneasiness is afoot in the Phil
ippines, both among the whites and
among the Filipinos.
That element of the FilipinOs which
is clamoring for quick independence is
more vigorous than ever. On the other
hand, Americans and Europeans do not
know what to expect And great num-
bers of the natives are alarmed over
the prospects OF independence, and are
in a state of near-terror' lest they be
turned over to be ruled by Filipino
tribes with which they have long been
at odds.
Fear New lnSurTection.
Such is the apprehension with which
some of the Americans and Europeans
view the conditions. that the grim spec
ter of insurrectiOn is once more seen in
imagination by many of the white resi-
dents. That there is actual danger of
an uprising on q large scale is not be-
lieved here. However. men who live in
the islands and who passed through the
trials of the insurrectiOn that followed
the Spanish war are not apt TO be so
skeptical as TO possibilities of new
outbreak.
The Democratic party has, held out to
he 40 hone nf a1-1Ny ind
rendence, something which it is Improb-
able he can deliver. The Administration
has turned the control of the legislative
body of the Philippine government over
tp TIE natives. No authority but Con-
gress now has the veto power on what
that legislation body does. The Admins
traitor has so Ear failed to make it
dcnDite what it is going to do to bring
about speedy independence.
II the dreams of independence in the
near future should be rudely shattered
from Washington, what then? viii the
hot-headed leaders yf the Tagalogs Of
I.uzCn and the Nisayans of Panay and
Cebu. leaders who have been tanning
the flames of independence, quietly sub
side and induce their people to calm
down and content themselves under
A merican rule? Or will there be a repe-
;iUn of the bloody days of 1893 and 1860
and 1901? And If no definite policy is
declared. what will happen to American
and European inv estors and business
houses, already bitterly complaining
over the effects II n situation i'm which
all is doubt, uncertainty. indecisiOn? or,
i independence IS granted and the
American flag is hauled down from the
f"it hts OF COrreSidor, that Gibraltar of
the East, what then?
Problem Bigger Than Ever.
The truth is The Philippine problem
reve" doomed up larger and more trou-
r'rsome than II does today. The passing
Of fifteen years since Dewey entered
Manila Day has in no wise solved It.
Gowey might have solved it easily had
he steamed away from Manila after he
had sent the 5hOt-Tiddled, fire-twisted
Wlt Cks of the Spanish feet TO the bot
tom. But he stayed on, the PHILIPPINES
ErCame the property OF the United
SiaCes. and now The question is how to
get rid of them decentIy and in order.
Despite the fact that the democratic
party is committed TO a Vagu'. policy of
future independence Of the islands
there is serious ~eason TO doubt whet H.
er independence will be granted if the
Democratic party remains in power for
many years to come. Certain Il is that
powerful elements within tie Dartv will
protest with Vigor once the attempt is
really seriously made TO set the islands
adrift
1t is easy to talk Of Independence for
the Philippines but how AMI when, and,
after independence, what?
All these things and more a.e brought
before the mind bv statem,rts made
by Congressman Clarence F. Miller of
Minnesota. of the House Cor.mittce on
Insular Affairs who has just returned
from an exhaustive inVeS: s"tiOn Of
conditions in the philippines. Mr.. Mil
Ter. who is a Republican, went to the
Philippines for the purpose OI finding
out what policy ought to be adopted
toward them.
His Investigations reprcsuI.' some
thing more than personal Inquiries. The
Information he has brought back is at
the disposal of Republican colleagues in
the House. or any one else who ques-
tions the wisdom of plans for early in
dependence and there is not mucn
doubt il will be sought afCer eagerly.
In a speech which he will rake in a
short time in the House. MT. Miller will
give an exposition OF his observations
in the islands which is likely to COM
m8nd notice.
Received everywhere With attention.
as a member of the House Insular AZ
fairs Committee, Mr.. Miller visited alt
the important cities and ccEters of the
islands, and had rare opp 'Cnity for
investigation. He talked freely with
Filipino leaders and the pc, pie gener-