Evening journal., 1921-07-23
Wood and Forbes Find Filipinos
Not ReadyNouO for Independence

Meanwhile the Filipinos are not
idle. They are meeting such argu-
ments with consummate skill.
I'VE realize there is some truth
in all these things" they answer.
But we are not demanding that you
clear out OF the islands completely"
Amy honorable concession the
United States may ask" Manuel L.
Quezon. president of the Filipino
Senate, declared, will willingly be
granted in exchange for our inde-
pendence."
II America wishes "Hongkong'
of her own in the Far East, the
Philippines will gladly provide it,
Filipinos say, along with whatever
else the United States may need in
the world.
For these concessions the Fiji
pinos would like to have America s
protection against external aggres-
sion. Filipinos, almost to a man,
desire a protectorate form Of gov
ernment. but they do not insist upon
it.
The other side of the picture is
the purely Filipino one. 1t has
nDlHAnk ~ do WIN -hNNA A~NAcA'eA
policies. II is this:
Are the Filipinos prepared to
fully assume the responsibilities and
enjoy all the privileges Of complete
independence" within the meaning
of the Jones bill Of 1916?
This act definitely. promised Ito
recognize their independence as soon
as stable government can be es-
tabhshed."
1t all depends on the point of view,
say the Filipinos. Every nation has
its own standards and believes its
own standards are best. They ask
to be judged by Filipino standards
Every Filipino you meet will tell
you most emphatically, yes, they are
prepared. Just as unanim ously,
Americans in the islands say, no,
they are not
What Commission Secs
Impartially. here are some OF the
things Wood and Forbes are seeing
for themselves. Upon such evidence,
rather than upon what either side
to the controversy may say, they
must base their report:
Good roads, but not enough.
Good public order and a content
ed people.
Sanitation far from satisfactory.
Courts OF justice functioning nor
mally in places, but elsewhere
abuses and .congested dockets-
In the main. alert public officials
but here and there an individual
over reaching of authority.
Honest balloting, as a rule. but a
considerable number Of charges OF
election frauds.
well-conducted schools. but more
I American teachers needed to teach
English.
Too many different languages anc
dialects spoken, the lack Of a uni.
versal language hampering nationa
unity.
An encouraging reduction OF illit.
eracy, from around go per cent. &
few years back to less than 20 pei
cent at present.
Finances in bad shape, partly due
to war conditions. partly to bat
management. This may eventual!
turn out TO be one Of the most tell
ing arguments against early inde
pendence.
Women taking great interest il
politics, demanding independence
and prohibition.
Much To BE Sifted
These are some Of the main item
b which the Wood-Forbes Commission
have either seen or had submittel
) to them in voluminous reports
Bales OF material have been fur
nished them and must be site,
through.
J Few here seem to expect the Com
mission to recommend immediat
fulfilment OF the preamble to tn
} Jones bill or that the president vii
so recommend to Congress.
1t is stated here, however, tina
the president has said he woul
} settle the Philippine question def
} nitely durirR his term in Office S
everyone here is asking, what wi
he do?