The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1921-07-18
CONFERENCE MAY DECIDE
The United States Would Like
to Have all the Powers, In
Guiding Japan, Go On Rec
ord as Guaranteeing the Ter
ritorial Integrity of the Phil
ippines.
(By David Lawrence.O

lCopyrlgnt, 1921, by Daily Times.)
Washington, July 16.-The dis
armament conference to be held here
next fall may decide the future sta
tus of the Philippines.
President Harding himself is not
averse to a discussion of the Phillip
pine question with other powers.
Naturally the United States will not
debate with any other government
the question of when independence
shall be granted but on the other
hand, is ready to talk over interna-
tional aspects of the Philippine prob
lem. In other words, when the Uni
ted States grants independence to the
Philippines will the other powers join
in guaranteeing the territorial integ-
rity of the Philippines.
The proximity of Japan to the
Philippines has led to the oft-repeat-
ed statement on the part of public
men in both Japan and the United
States, to the effect that the Phil
ippines constitute a possible source
of. friction in the future. Former
President Taft at one time said in a
public speech that Japan would never
seize the Philippines, because she
could not colonize there on account
of the climate. Nevertheless, military
and naval experts have always
insisted that in possible
quarrel between the United
States and Japan, the latter would
Immediately land an expeditionary
force and hold the Philippines, in or
der to draw American forces to that
region of the Pacific. This would
make the United States carry the bat
tie three thousand miles away from
American bases of supply.
has been one of Americas chief items
of expense, and the prospect of keep
ing a protecting arm over the Phil
ippines even after independence has
been granted has not been relished
here. Obviously, one of the prac-
tical questions of the disarmament
conference is how to reduce military
and naval expenses now borne di-
rectly by the taxpayers, America
might have granted independence to
the Philippines during the Wilson
adm inistration if it had been poss-
ible to enter into an agreement with
other governments for the neutraliz-
alton of the Philippines. 1t will be
recalled, however, that while Mr..
Wilson at first warmly advocated in
dependence, when a bill granting the
same was passed by the House, he
reversed himself when the measure
reached the Senate, and was instru-
mental in finally preventing action.
His reasons were never made public,
but it is commonly supposed that in
ternational events caused the sudden
change. The world war had begun,
and Japan had engaged in it with the
definite purpose of achieving dom
inant position in the Far East. 1t was
impossible at that time to rivet the
attention of Great Britain and the 9th
er powers on the matter of neutral
ization of the Philippines, because all
the powers were absorbed in the war
against Germany. Feeling, therefore,
that the time was not ripe for an in
ternational agreement to fix the sta
tus of the Philippines, Mr.. Wilson
postponed action. 1t is significant,
however, that in his closing message
to congress last December he revived
the issue and formally expressed the
hope that independence would be
granted the Philippines.
President Harding is mindful OF
the aspirations of the Filipinos, but
he is actuated also by desire to save
Americas future expense in main
tanning costly Notifications and mill
tary and naval forces in the Philip
pines when by international agree
i(Continued~ on Page 4.