Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-02
The Future of the Ph;Eb6;nes
wv HILE little was heard OF the results
M of the Philippine mission during its

sojourn in the States, now that 1t
is back in the islands interesting news of it's
attachments and hopes begins to transpire.
Cabled reports of recent speech by Manuel
Quezon, leading spirit for Philippine in
dependence, before the Rotary Club of Ma
Mia are particularly notable. He quoted
President Harding, with whom he talked at
length while in Washington, as saying that
America would take no backward step in the
archipelago, but rather would go forward
in the development of responsible native gov
eminent. II believe" said Mr.. Quezon,
that Americans and Filipinos can formulate
policy which will give the United States
commercial and naval stations here and fully
protect her Far Eastern interests acquired
subsequent to Dewey's victory and which at
the same time will vouchsafe the Filipinos
national independence, leaving their inter-
national independence to future discussions"
Emphasizing the mutual benefit of continued
good will between the two peoples, he pooh
poohed the suggestion of seeking other mar
kets for the islands goods when the United
States is the only country in the world Of
fering us real money for our products and
when Bolshevism is spreading in Europe
beyond the bounds of Russia"
OF the Philippines total exports in the last
reported year, valued at one hundred and fif-
ty-one million dollars, upwards Of one hun
dred and five million was represented by
sales to the United States; and Of total i'm
ports amounting to one hundred and forty
nine million, more than ninety-two million
was from the United States. Evidently, then,
for commercial reasons alone it is important
that relations continue harmonious and that
the government of the islands be stable and
efficient in practice, as we'll as free in prin-
ciple. Arguing to that same end, are further
a1d higher considerations than those of COM
Americas obligation.
strategic interest her sympathies and ideals
all urge the protection Of the Philippines
welfare and the rightful cultivation of their
natural and human resources.
That this implies the necessity Of efficient
government and of government in keeping
with American tradition should go without
saying. To what extent are these standards
being realized or approached? BY act of
Congress in 1915 the Philippine Commission,
which had existed for the greater part of the
time since 1902, was abolished; and in it's
stead was established a legislative body con-
sisting Of a Senate Of twenty-four members
and House Of Representatives Of ninety
one members, the latter taking the place of
the assembly. At the head Of the islands re
manned the Governor-General, appointed by
the President Of the United States. The chief
executives of the provinces, of which there
are forty-seven, were made elective officials,
and the government of the towns put upon
four Senators only two Chose from the most
backward districts) were made appointive by
the Governor-General. The others were cleo
tive by popular vote; as were also the ninety
one Representatives, save the nine from
those same backward regions. Something of
the development which has gone forward I'M
der American administration appears in the
more than eight hundred miles of railways
and six thousand miles Of public roads; in
the establishment of ninety-nine public
school districts, with many hundreds Of thou
sand OF pupils enrolled, and Of divers institu-
tions for agricultural and mechanical train
ing
In their report to President Harding, sub
mitted November 20 last, Governor-General
Wood and former Governor-General Forbes
in reviewing developments and conditions in
the Philippines under this system of admins
tration, recommended that "the present gem
eral- status continue until the people have
had time to absorb and thoroughly master
the powers already in their hands," It was
urged, moreover, that under no circum-
stances should the American Government
permit to be established in the Philippine Is
lands a situation which would leave the
United States in position of responsibility
without authority Among the noteworthy
conclusions were these: 1--WE find the peo-
pie happy, peaceful. and in the main pros
porous and keenly appreciative of the bene-
fits of American rule. We find everywhere
among the Christian Filipinos the desire for
independence, generally under the protection
Of the United States; the non-Christians and
Americans are for continuance of American
control We find that many Filipinos have
shown marked capacity for Government serv-
ice and that. the young generation is full Of
promise: that the civil service laws in the
main have been honestly administered, but
that there is a marked deterioration due to
the injection Of politics; we find that the
people are not organized economically, nor
from the standpoint of national defense, to
maintain an Independent government; we
find that questions in regard to the confirma-
ton of appointments might at any time arise
which would make deadlock between the
Governor-General and the Philippine Sen
ate."
Republican administrations, it should be
remembered, have been less literally dis
posed toward the idea of Philippine indie
pendence than have the Democrats. This is
matter, however, il which mere party con-
siderations have no proper place, and which
now should be approached with statesmanly
understanding, in the light of recent events
and with generous regard for the veal of the
Filipinos themselves. 1t is greatly to be
hoped that Mr.. Quezon's happy expectations
will be realized.