The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-05-27
Independence Desired
By The PHILIPPINE
People

The Philippine Islands offer vast
field for the extension OF American
industry and commerce in the far
east. We welcome American capital.
We believe in II. Our government
is awake to the great need of the
time"
This was the reply OF Rafael Pal
ma, vice president of the Philippine
Mission, when asked for a statement
relative to opportunities for the in
vestment of American capital in the
Philippines. The statement is inn
portant because it comes from one
OF the three foremost leaders OF the
party in power in the Philippines,
these three including Speaker Ser
gio osmena, Senate President Man
rel L. Quezon and Mr.. Palma who is
secretary OF the interior of the Phll-
ippines, and a member of the Phil
ippine Senate. Mr.. Palma was born
in Manillla in 1874 and has been an
important figure In the political life
OF the islands since early manhood.
In 1908 he was appointed a member
of the Philippine commission by
President Roosevelt, which was an
evidence Of the confidence placed In
him by the American government, as
the commission was at that time
VERY important factor in the govern
ing power OF the islands.
Mr.. Palma is also an ex-newspaper
man. having been editor Of General
Lunas La Independence, which Mr..
Palma admits was anything but a
quiet occupation in the stirring days
Of 1898, when the staff had to be
almost constantly flying before the
advancing lines OF American troops.
The editorial room was frequently a
lear on some sidetrack and was more
than once punctured by bullets. When
II was found impossible to continue
this paper Mr.. Palma was invited by
Sergio Osmena. now Speaker Osme-
ma. to assist in editing a journal in
Cebu. which was called Ell Nueva Dia.
This was under the censorship of
General Mcintyre and on the appear
ance of the first number the editors
we're left in the singular position of
seeing every prominent article blue
Ipenciled. Conditions are different
now, however, as Seniors Osmena and
Palma occupy high positions>in the
government of 1O,50O,000 people.
Mr., Palma is sincere advocate
of closer economic relations between
the United States and the Philip
lpines, and contends this can best be
brought about by final solution OF
the Philippine independence issue.
THE agricultural and commercial
possibilities of the Philippines are al
most limitless," said Mr.. Palma. re-
ferring to the openings for both the
large and small American capital
lists in the islands. "Of the total ar
ca of 10000 square miles of rich
tropical land only $4,000 square
miles have been touched by the plow.
THE 100000 square miles remain in
Its primeval state just waiting the
Industry of man TO give up its min
eral wealth or to produce bountifui
crops OF sugar, hemp. cocoanuts, rub
Iber, lumber and all sorts OF tropical
raw materials. The Philippines can
sustain from sixty to seventy million
people. The valley OF Cotabato alone
can produce enough rice to feed the
present population of the islands
The entire archipelago. through mo-
dern scientific cultivation, The de-
yelopment of its natural resources,
the Harvesting of its wonderful wa
ter powers and the development OF
its commerce, can be converted into
paradise a..xa
Manila hemp, the leading cord
lage fiber of the world, is produced
Ionly In the Philippines This fiuei