The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-08-22
THE "SO-CALLED JAP
ANESE MENACE TO A
PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
by Maxine M. Kalaw, Secretary of
the Philippine Mission)

| (By Maxine M. Kalaw, Secretary Of
the Philippine Mission)
Washington, Aug. 21-"Japan will
gobble you up" That is the expires.
sion of many Americans when the,
hear of the Filipino plea for indie.
pendence. Some of those who sim
cerely desire to comply with oui
wishes see the specter of Japanese
Empire awaiting the withdraway of
amer; american sovereignty to grab the
Now nation grabs another terri
tory, first, because she wants it; and.
second, because it will benefit her.
Responsible Japanese officials have
time and again said that they do not
want the Philippines. DR.. .Iyenaga,
one of Japan's most active publicity
agents in the United States, once
said that Japan would not accept the
Fhlllppmes, even as a gift. "Un-
less that gift should be accompanied
not by $20,O00,000, the sum you gave
to Spain, but by a round billion of
dollars to be expended for the educa
tlon and development of the Filipinos
Japan would surely decline your of
lei. Japan has no use for the Phil
lpplnes for colonization purposes be-
cause it's climate is as untitled to us
for that purpose as it is for you. Our
experience in Formosa has convinced
US of that"
Many Japanese believe that with
Korea, Manchuia and Formosa. ia
pan is sufficiently occupied with ter
rltoral dominions, and that in the
long run it would be more advantage
Gus for her to adopt a policy of
righteousness and fair dealing with
all nations than to seek new fields of
conquest. An assurance to that eff
feet would greatly strengthen her
friendship with the Allies and, con-
sequently, her own credit abroad.
And japan knows that to attempt to
take the Philippines after the United
states had set them up as repub-
&c, and had so proclaimed before the
world, would be viewed in America
as an hostile act and a>direct challenge
to the United States.
But there is another factor: Would
the F1lipinos be willing to become
subjects of Japan? The Japanese
themselves know too well that they
would not. DR.. Nitobe, possibly the
greatest japanese authority on col
onlal government, in an interview
printed in the Philippine Free Press
ON May 6, 1919, said: 1T is rash to
conclude that because we are of the
same race the Filipinos would gladly
invite Japan to be their ruler. They
oelleve that they are superior to the
japanese. Their customs and man
lers are influenced by Christianity;
hence, the unequalled progress in the
conception OF their treatment of the
weaker sex in comparison with that
prevailing in other parts of the East"
IL Japan should ever attemp to
axe the Philippines, either peacefully
T by force, says an opponent of in
Carl Grow, in his book.
Amerlca and the Philippines, "she
would immediately be involved in a
ght much more stubbon than the
ne the United States was compelled y
D put down.
The Philippines are asking only
Or an opportunity for free and un-
a d development of their peo-
re and natural resources, SC that
hey can in their humble way con-
1bute to the civilization and pro-
ress Of mankind. This desire can
OF lnJure Japan. On the contrary.
nat Japan desires of her neighbors
the least possible interference bv
orelgn nations. She so informed
nina many times, and that was the
am reason she gave for annexing
orea.
Ten millioi Filipinos are not such a
Try small people. Separated from
STA by tremendous waterways, thew
'ei themselves to be in a splendid
oiation. They think that they have
fairly good opportunity to work on, =
lelr own destiny, and in a short time
be able fully and effectively to take
re of themselves. W
was independence ever attained bv n
y nation without the peopel taking r
cfance! If absolutely safety from 6
reign aggression was an essential =
mutton to independence, how MANY a
lions would be independent today? Ii
'uld Belgium alone have withstood g
attacks of Germany? Could :.
ance! And yet, who would saw !,
at these two countries should not IL
independent?
Inc Filipino people showed during
European conflict that they could
ltedly respond to the call of war.
ey organized and equipped a full