New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-12-02
WOOD WRITES OF
PHILIPPINE IS.
Both He and Forbes Favor Con-
tinuaDCe Of Present System

W,shtngton Dcc f-The philip
nine Islands should rcm0in in their
"nrcscul rnurrgl status" until the
pconlo There ,hayo had time 10 alb
eorb and thorourhry master the pow
OPP already i'm their hands," former
Major General Leonard Wood, now
governor general, and W. Cameron
Forbes former governor general say
in tbeir reuor ia President Harding,
busod an their six months study of
conditions I'm thc islands
1--WE are convinced" thcv saw, that
if would he fl BETRAYAL of the PhiItp-
nine noonIo q misfortune to the Am
arican neonIc distinct stem back
ward i'm rha nath Of nrogrcss and
discre1itabla neglect TO our national
dutv were we TO withdraw from the
islands and terminate our relation
shin there without giving the Fill
ninos the best chance possible TO have
an orderly and permanently stable
povernn,ent
We feel that with all of their
many e,calIent nualitios, the oxpcri-
once or tho mast eight wears during
which they have had practical auto
nomv has not been such as to ius-
tifv tha pcoDle Of the United States
in relinoiIishing supervision of the
government Of the phiIippine islands,
Withdrawing their army and navy and
leaving the islands n prey to any
nowerfuI nation covcting their rich
soil and notentiaI commercial adyan-
tagos"
These observations of the investi-
gators are contained in the general
conclusions" and Recommendations"
made in the report, which was made
public today. The complete report
covering 100 typewritten pages will
be made public later. The general
conclusions" are as follows:
1--WE find the people happy, peace
full and in the main prosperous and.
keenly appreciative of the benefits of
American rule.
I'VE find everywhere among the
Christian Filipinos the desire tor in
dependence. generally under the
protection of the United States. The
nom Christians and Americans are
for continuance of American control
I'VE find a general failure to ap-
nreciate the fact that independence
under the protection Of another ma
ton is not true INDEPENDENCE.
I'VE find that the government is
not reasonably free from those under
living causes which result in the de-
struction of government.
I'VE find that a reasonable pro-
portion of officials and employees are
men of good character and ability
and reasonably faithful to the trust
imposed upon them; but that the
efficiency of the public services has
fallen off, and that they are now rel
atively inefficient due to lack of in
spections and to the too rapid trans
fer of control to officials who have
not had the necessary time for
proper training.
I'VE find that many Filipinos have
shown marked capacity for govern
ment service and that the young
generation is full OF promise; that the
civil service laws have in the main
is marked deterioration due to the
injection of politics.
I'VE find there is dlsquletlng lack
OF confidence IN the administrator OF
Justice, to an extent which constitutes
a menace to the staplllty OF the gov
eminent.
I'VE find that the legislative cham
bers are conducted with dignity ana
decorum and are composed OF repre-
sentative men.
we feel that the lack OF success
in certain departments should not be
considered as proof OF essential inca
pacity on the part OF flllplnos, put
rather as indicating lack OF eNper-
fence and opportunity and especially
lack OF inspection.
I'VE find that questions In regard
to confirmation of appointments
might at any time arise which would
make deadlock between the gov
ernor general, and the Philippine
senate"
These recommendations are made
in the report;
I'VE recommend that the present
general status of the Philippine
islands continue until the people have
had time to absorb and thoroughly
master the powers already in their