Evening journal., 1921-11-30
WOOD AGAINST
REEFILIPINOS
Would be Premature New
Governor and Forbes
Agree in Report
WOULD BE PREY
OF FOREIGN GREED

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Nov. 80.
The Philippine Islands should re-
main in their present general
status" until the people there have
had time to absorb and thoroughly
master the power already in their
hands" former Major General Leon
ard Wood, now encouragement,
and w. Cameron Forbes, former
governor-general. say in their re-
port to President Harding, based on
their six months study OF conditions
in the islands.
I'VE are convinced" they say.
that it would be a betrayal OF the
Philippine people. a misfortune to
the American people, a distinct step
backward in the path OF progress
and a discreditable neglect to our
national duty were wo to withdraw
from the islands and terminate our
relationship there without giving the
Filipinos the best chance possible to
have an orderly and permanently
stable government.
I'VE feel that with all of their
many excellent qualities, the experi-
ence Of the past eight years during
which they have had practical auton-
omy has not been such as to JUS
tify the people OF the United States
in relinquishing supervision of the
government OF the Philippine Islands.
withdrawing their army and navy
and leaving the islands a prey to
any powerful nation coveting their
rich soil and potential commercial
advantages"
These observations OF tho inves-
tigators are contained in the gen
eral conclusions" and recommends
ations" made in the report, which
was made public today. The COM
plete report, covering 100 typewrit-
ten pages, will be made public later.
The general conclusions" are as
follows:
I'VE find the people happy. peace
ful and in the main prosperous and
keenly appreciative of the benefits
OF American rule.
I'VE find everywhere among the
Christian Filipinos the desire for
independence, generally under the
protection OF the United States The
Christians and Americans are
for continuance OF American con-
troll.
we find a general failure to ap-
preciate the fact that independence
under the protection OF another ma
tion is not true independence.
I'VE find that the government is
not reasonably free from those un-
derlying causes which result in the
destruction 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 service has
fallen of, and that they are now
relatively inefficient due TO lack OF
Inspections and to the too rapid
transfer Of control to officials who
have not had the necessary time for
proper training.
I'VE find that many Fiiipinos
have shown marked capacity for
government service and that the
young generation is full Of promise;
that the civil service laws have in
tho main been honestly admins
tered, but there is a marked deteri-
oration due to the injection OF poll
tics.
I'VE find there is a disquieting
lack OF confidence in the admins
tration Of justice. to an extent which
constitutes a menace 10 the stability
OF the government.
I'VE find that the people are not
organized. economically nor from
the standpoint OF national defense
to maintain an Independent govern
ment
I'VE find that the legislative cham
bers are conducted with dignity and
decorum and are composed OF rep
resentative men.
I'VE feel that the lack OF success
in certain departments should not
be considered as proof Of essentia
incapacity ON tho part OF Fiiipinos
but rather as indicating lack OF OK.
perience and opportunity and espe.
cially lack of inspection.
I'VE find that questions in regard
TO confirmation OF appointment,
might at any time arise which would
make a deadlock between the gov,
ernor-generai and the Philippine
| Spnafe"