Evening star., 1921-06-01
PHILIPPINES WANT
PROTECTION OF U. S.
Wood Forbes Mission Finds
Negligible Sentiment for
Complete Independence.
BY the Associated Press.


Wood and w. Cameron Forbes. for
mer governor general Of the Philip
pines, which was sent to the islands
by President Harding to investigate
conditions. returned to Manila today.
after travelling eighteen days by
train, automobile, launch. horseback
and steamer. through the northern
section OF Lu1on Island.
The mission held scores Of public
meetings and private conferences
throughout its travels. listening to
the views Of tho natives regarding
independence for the Philippines,
examining local financial affairs. san
itation, schools. public works. the .ad-
mfnfstration Of justice and agricul-
tural conditions.
Friendly Feeling Noted
After visiting the central provinces
Of Luzon Island the mission sepa-
rated. Gen. Wood Travelled through
the northern Pacific provinces, while
Mr.. Forbes went through the noun
famous provinces among the nom
Christian tribes. The parties united
again on the west coast of Luzon.
Both commissioners said their so
by the friendliest feelings of the ma
tives for the Americans. At the
public hearings. they said. virtually
all Of the speakers among the Chris
tion population favored independence
for the island. with a protectorate
speakers advocated complete separa-
tion. while occasionally speakers op-
posed Independence in any form at
present.
Opposed By Tribes.
Many natives, especially property
owners. told the commissioners In
private conferences that they believed
the presnt relations between the Unit
ed States and the Philippines should
continue indefinitely.
Among the non-Christian tribes.
comprising approximately $4,000 peo-
pie. in the mountainous provinces. the
leaders expressed the .warmest friend
ship toward the United States and
opposed independence.
In the province Of Ilocos Norte. a
large majority of speakers were in
sistent upon immediate end Of pres
ent conditions with the granting of
protectorate. while in the adtofn-
ing provinces of Ilocos Sur. Abra and
lie P1anto, speakers said they were
willing to accept without protest any
form Of government Congress saw Mt
to grant These speakers expressed
their entire confidence in the fairness
Of the American people.
Want Outside C0nnunieatfon.
Throughout the coast provinces.
while a desire for independence with
q protectorate was strong. the peo-
pie seemed more vitality concerned
with obtaining communication with
the outside world. The present
means of transportation into that re-
gion. with its rich tobacco industry.
is only by water and mountain trail.
Perhaps the most insistent appeal
of all those made for immediate in
dependence was expressed by speak
ers at public meetings in the CEN
trail provinces OF Tarlac and PanSa-
sinan.
Both Gen. Wood and Mr.. Forbes
praised the schools Of the Islands.
but asserted that the eon Pnilippines aappinss
teachers instead of the less than 400
as at present. He said . larger num-
Der Of American techers was neces-
sary to spread the use OF the Eng
lish language. and thereby bring
about q common language throughout
the archipelago.
Sanitary Conditions Condemned.
Gen. Wood and Mr.. Forbes condemn
every place they visited. They praised
the work Of the constabulary and the
women's clubs. which have been or
ganized lately in all the larger viii
laRes and are devoting themselves
to child welfare work.
They found a great scarcity Of hos
pitfalls in most municipalities. many
provinces being entirely without ia
cilitfes for taking care of the sick.
In one province it was pointed out
that three towns with q population
Of 10000 depend upon one doctor,
without a hospital Of any kind.
After spending a week in Manila to
study the mass OF data collected in
the journey through the northern
provinces, the mission win begin .
trim through southern Luxon.