Evening star., 1922-06-18
ISLES MUST WAIT,
PRESIDENTS VIEW
Filipino Mission Likely to
Receive Decisive Reply
on Thursday.

While President Harding is known
to greatly admire the Filipino people
for their progress. he does not believe
the time has yet arrived when they
should be given independence, and
when he again receives the Philip
pine parliamentary mission next
Thursday at the White House he will
definitely express himself to this eff
feet
At least this is the belief of high
government officials who are known
to have conferred with the Executive
regarding the Philippine question
and who are therefore in a position
to speak authoritatively. The Presi-
dent is known to have shown an es
pecial interest in the islands and
their people. and when he outlines
his views to the members of the
visiting mission this week he Will
speak knowingly and with decision.
He no doubt would have made 4
definite answer yesterday when the
mission presented itself and placed
before him the plea of the nation
aliSts for liberty, but he deemed il
advisable to withhold a reply until
he had had time to give ample con-
sideration to its construction and
until he had carefully digested the
plea of the islanders.
Received Thorough Reports.
The President has had the benefit of
the careful study of conditions in the
islands recently made by Gen. Leon
ard Wood and Former Governor Cen
eral Forbes of the Philippines. Their
report was most thorough and eX-
haustive, and while il commended the
Filipino people. it advised against the
granting of independence at this time.
Besides this. the President has been
advised by Secretary Hughes of the
state Department and Secretary
Weeks of the War Department, both
OF whom are known to possess pro-
found knowledge of the islands and
their people. Also the President, dur
ing the time he has been in office, has
received first st-hand Information re-
garding conditions from government
officials and individuals just returned
from the Philippines, all of which has
aided him in reaching his conclusions.
However, there is no question
about the attitude of the administra-
tion being one of great admiration
for the progress made by the Fill
pinos. The administration also is
| known to appreciate the fact that
they have made wonderful strides in
government and industry, and in
other lines, probably to an extent as
great II not greater. than Cuba, but
| this appreciation and respect does
not go SO lar as to convince the ad-
! ministration of the immediate neces-
sity for self-rule.
Experience Still Needed.
| While the administration realizes
| that the provincial and municipal
governments as well as the insular
government in the islands are well
established and function in a capable
fashion. it is not yet satisfied that
the native leaders are sufficiently ex-
perienced in governmental matters to
handle governmental affairs properly
! in the event of any crisis.
OF course, the ultimate considera-
tion of the matter of autonomy rests
with Congress. just as President
Harding stated yesterday to the mem
| bers of the mission. but he is not
unmindful of the fact that any action
by Congress in this matter would be
almost entirely Influenced by the atti-
tude Of the Executive.