The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-03-13
PHILIPPINE ISDrrENpENcE

by President Itrding TO mako thorouEh Sur
vcy Of conditions in the Philippines ana report
hts findings to the president az tho onrlicst
possible moment There is more sIguflcance
in this mat"r than the mere appointment of AN
especially nt man Tor an important mission,
there ls tho honest seeking for positive snowi-
edge ou which may be based on executive dorI-
".on concerning the future policy Of tho United
states towards this far-fiung outpost or national
soyerciGniy
General wood knows the Philippines 40 mo-
other English speaking man. Io served uorc
for several years during the most critical period
Of our colonial attempt; and he lou bch.nl
coutontcd aud loyal people Sow thcrc s con.
adorable uncertainty on both points General
wood must needs ASCERTAIN whether or not the
Front powers given the Philippine politicians
during tho rnst row Years have been wisely
ua,d whether tho laws have been sausG,.ory
enforced, whether thcro is % sincere and trust.
worthy patriotism with respoc, TO America ana
American intcrosts,--nnd. finally. whether or
not the Philippine people as capable OF sclf
government as they appear 60 be ready and
anxious Tor IT,
Public opinion Is divided 600 America concern
ing Philippine independence, just ns IL BE- dl-
sldod ga ug Philippines. There are those who
against imperialism. desire that the Islands shall
bo given their iudmputcd independence, thcy
dcsrc that America withdraw and attend the
growing republic precisely as we now attend
the expansion and development OF cuba, thus
proving our ldcallsm and dslnterested altruiam
There arc others who respond to the some
what imperialstic doctrine that whore the
flag ls onoo planted It shall always remain; and
thpup I'm 4 k, ,V ,Fc
Tor us to ever retreat from the Philippines that
must stay and by our acts Justify before tho
Philippine people our critics at hame and the
world In general the wisdom OF such decision
ana the good faith which Is involved IN H.
who have followed the flag to tho far Pacific
and those who } ave made Investments in good
tuith there are OF this latter class.
hut tho question must bc decided on facts
not on theories or the selfish interests Of those
directly involved. Statesmen. viewing tho fu-
,ure with experimentation OF them at least
arc willing to decide the question on It's
merits But thcy insist that n It Is compatible
with honor and Justice for us to withdraw from
The Philippines, that such withdrawal be COM
ploto and final: that when the flag is furlcd and
our troops and ships depart, that such act be ac-
cepted relieving us az a nation from all fu-
ture responsibility for the Philippine and his
material interests And because such a step
would be likely to relieve tho United states OF
early cmbarrasmonts, those holding such Views
hope most sincerely that a way may be found
for granting 20 tho islands the independence
their native politicians ardonty seek.
In this practical, human world. 1t IL sheer
folly to prate Of the independence OF the Philip
pines unless such indcpendence Is guaranteed
by powerful nation, in precisely the same way
that II is folly to talk of the native politicians
having learned the art Of self government to
such extent that their Unrestricted rule will
he followed by any considerable period OF po-
litical tranquility.
when the United states wlthdraws from the
islands two events will transpiro within very
short time There will be the usual revolution
or rebellion among the political factions. fol-
lowed by an appeal OF ono faction or the other
to some adjacent power capable OF overcoming
the opposition, Having said so much one might
az well name Japan as tho power that would
be willing to listen TO such an appeal
Not only willing TO listen, but covetously de-
sirous OF the opportunity to do so. Thus the
abandonment Of the Philippines can only be con-
siderod under general rule--thnt tho United
states Is Withdrawing to her original continental
boundaries and the strategic supports ot the
Hawaiian islands and Porto Rico. II such is
not to be the policy OF tho government, policy
based altogether on considerations OF defense
then 1t must not assume TO undertake tho pro-
lection Of the philippines For II 1t docs that
then II must remain the vgiant sovereign
OF that archipelago, and prepare to defend Itself