The Washington herald., 1919-06-03
FREE F|L|PINOS
TAPS MERCY
QUEz0N ADMITS
Pleas for Freedom, but
Says Islands Are Helpless
To Resist an Invasion.
SAFE AFTER TEN YEARS
SAFE AFTER TEN YEARS
Pins Hope Of Immunity from
Attack to the League
of Nations.

An Independent Philippine govern
ment would be powerless to resist
Japanese aggression.
This admission was made yesterday
by Manuel ouezop. president of the
Philippine Senate and chairman of the
Philippine Independence Commission.
in presenting the islands plea for
freedom to a joint meeting of the
Senate and House COMMITTEES on In
sular Affairs
Questions asked by members of the
committee indicated that the fear that
Japan might gobble up the islands
il cut loose without a protective al
lance with the United States is the
principal consideration initiating
against fulfillment Of this govern
ment's promise of independence to the
Filipinos at this time
Asks Guarantee of Freedom.
Quezon made it plain that a guar.
antee of the islands independence by
the United States was highly desir-
able. but he asserted that his people
were ready to assume their freedom
on their own responsibility.
They are willing to place their re.
lance in the league of nations. he
said.
II confronted with japanese aggres.
sion. Mr.. Quezon continued, the island
government would resent It with al
its might. But IL it should come with.
in ten years. he confessed. there would
be no way OF offering successful de.
tense.
Senator Phelan. California. brough,
up the subject OF possible japanese
aggression. He asked:
You say you have no fear Of out
side aggression. Then. il it comes
you are in a position to resist it
THE Fflipinos cannot withstand ar
attack from foreign country-and
assume the Senator has reference
to Japan-now or in ten years" said
Mr.. Quezon. I'VE might after that be
doic " II So DOl lot q nation
that 1t would not attempt it.
No Immediate Danger.
I'VE do not believe, under condi.
tions existing today in the Far East
that Japan would care to come ant
grab the Philippines"
The Filipino spokesman expressed
implicit faith in the league of ma.
l.
ence his government would be the
first to apply for membership in the
league. Such membership. he added
would be regarded as adequate pro.
lection against hostile designs on the
part Of any nation.
But our plea for Independence al
this time Is not dependent on the
league Of nations" he continued. I'VE
would ike to see it formed and
would like to become a part of IL
with full belief that il would pro.
vide adequate safeguards against ag-
gression."
Senator Harding. OF Ohio, asked II
the Philippines would be willing tc
accept independence without an,
form OF protection from the United
States. ouezon declared II would be
VI Sicat oSheht 70 Dotn countries tC
frame some form of understanding
but added:
The most essential thing at the
present moment is independence. !
think independence and the league of
nations are the two subjects which
appeal to the Filipinos now. They
believe their independence would be
respected. They have believed, too.
that this would be granted immedi-
ately after peace is declared"
Senator Harding asked further:
Want Independence Now.
Would. you advocate earnest con-
sideration Of this question while the
world. and especially the Senate, is
engaged in discussion of the league of