The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-11
ARE UNF It
To RULE
SELVES
Admiral So Says, Pointing Out
Also Great Value of Islands
to U. s. Development.

to U. s. Development.
By w. F. FULLAM,
Rear Admiral, U. s. Navy (Retired).
Copyright. 1928. by Cosmopolitan
News Service.l
The revolt of politicians against
the Constitutional authority Of
General Wood in the Philippines
is nothing more nor less than
incipient rebellion against the
United States. The people Of
this country must make no mis-
take about this, and they must
realize what the consequences
may be If the movement, started
by a group of selfish political
agitators, should spread through
out the archipelago.
shows Their Unfitness.
No argument is needed to DEM
onstrate the complete unfitness OF
the Filipinos for independence at
this time. Their demands reflect
the extreme absurdity of the doc
trine OF self determination"-a Veri-
table political plague born into the
world under the preceding admin
istration.
In the case Of the Philippines,
secession would spell self extermi
nation" It would lead inevitably
to further application OF the same
disintegrating principle among the
hundred islands and the numerous
races that inhabit them. Why
should they all be held together
under the yoke Of one small politi-
cal faction?
To grant independence to the
Filipinos would leave them easy
victims to aggression from the out
side rs well as to turmoil from
within. They have no means of
defense themselves. Any nation
that wished to take them could
easily do so. A protectorate BY
the United States. or by a concert
OF powers, would be necessary to
preserve the independence of these
This movement should be thrOt-
tied at once. Il the Philippines
are to secede. why not Porto Rico, |
Hawaii the Virginia islands and |
Alaska z - 8rz
The politicians and people In our
various foreign possessions have
the same right az the Filipinos to |
'self-determination.D Where Is this
disintegratien 70 end?
Still Another Phase.
But there is another phase to
this question The United States |
has big investment in the Philip |
pines. Our trade with the islands |
has grown until it amounts to 5000.
DOC, 900 annually. These islands are
commercial bases for the develop
ment of our trade with the Orient. |
It is impossible to over estimate
the importance Of this item in the
years to come. China is 1000 miles
from our Pacific coast Think of
the advantage OF having branch
business Adjustments, factories.
and warehouses under our flag and
claiming the protection of our navy
at o few hundred miles from the
coast of China.
The future must not be ignored.
Why talk about the "open door"
IL we are to surrender the gate that
leads to it? This would be to
grasp the shadow while losing the
substance.
The Philippines are absolutely
necessary to the future promotion
Of United States commercial IN.
terests In the Pacific.
In clinglng to them the Filipinos
are benefited as much as this coun.
try. With a full measure Of home
rule their commercial prosperity ISL
assured. their freedom is virtually
guaranteed. and they are saved
from dangers both within and with
out
Maps Show Importance.
Once glance at the map shows
the strategic and geographic inn
portance Of the Philippines. Theze
islands guard the approach to
China from the Pacific. The jap.
anese empire stretches from Kan.
chatka to Formosa From that
point the Philippines form an isl.
and barrier southwark to Bo-neo.
1t is clear. therefore, that the ma.
tions of the world could not per
init Japan to acquire these islands.
IT she did she would have an
unbroken chain of islands from
Kamchatka to Borneo. This would
be veritable blockade of the east
coast OF Asia. With a strong
navy, submarines, and air forces,
Japan could close every approach
to the Asiatfc continent. No such
condition exists anywhere else in
the world
Jaran already controls the Sea
OF Okotsk, the Sea of Japan, and
the Yellow sea. They are Japanese
lakes. The Only remaining "open
door" for the commerce of the
world is through the Philippines.
With this closed and with the Mar.
shall and Caroline Islands stick.
ing out like spear-head 900 miles
further to the eastward, toward
Hawaii. Japan could dictate to the
wofld's commerce.
Nothing could pass without her
permission. The ships Of Canada,
Australia. the United States-the
commerce of The western world
through the Panama canal would
pass in review before the EN-
perofs of Japan!
Whole World Interested.
Thus, hsappears that the world, as
well As&the United States, is in