The Indianapolis times., 1923-07-24

BREWING IN
PHILIPPINES
Trouble Certain if Islanders
Are Convinced Freedom Is
Not Forthcoming,
BY WILLIAM PHILIP GIBBS
Times Staff Correspondent
VI ASHINGTON, July 24-Insur-

wv ASH1NGTON, July 24.--Insur-
" rection is brewing in the Phil
ippines. Unless there is a de-
cided change in Washington's attitude,
trouble is certain the moment the
islanders become convinced the United
States has no intention of ever setting
them free.
The most serious crisis in the whole
history of Americas ventures over
seas has hit the archipelago. The
Filipino government has gone on
strike, leaving Gov. Gen. Leonard
Wood to run the country as best as
he can without a cabinet.
The Secretaries Of the Interior, JUS
tice, Finance, Commerce and Agri
culture; the President Of the Senate
and Speaker of the House, together
with the Mayor of Manila. have
walked out charging the General ex
ceeded his authority to Intervene and
control, even to the smallest detail, :"
insular and even local affairs.
Wood Admits Error
The particular incident which pre-.
cipitated the crisis was the reinstate-
ment, by General Wood. of Ray Con-
of bribery, and whose resignation was
later accepted by Wood himself.
That, however, was only the sur
face eruption. The disease is deeper
The F1lipinos want their indepeno-
ence.
From the first the Filipinos we're
given to understand they would be
set free as soon as they proved they
could govern themselves. This
promise was made official by the
Jones Act. passed by Congress during
the Wilson Administration.
When Gov. Gen. Francis Burton
Harrison went to Manila in 1916, he
went instructed TO give the FTlipinos
a chance to show what they could do.
He did. A native cabinet. a Senate
and a House, just like those in Wash
ington. were set up, and from that
time until the coming Of General
Wood in 1921. the natives governed
themselves with Harrison merely look
ing on.
Does Good job
Comparing the Filipino Congress
with its pattern in Washington, 1t did
pretty good job. They had petty
election scandal or two, but the
United States Senate had its New
berry Justice, It was charged, some.
times went awry. but New Mexico's
governor has Just admitted one of
his courts was disgrace and a blot
on the State And so on.
At any rate. President Wilson. in
1920. thought so well OF the Filipino
effort at self government he said the
time had come for America to make
good her promise.
At this a howl went UP from the
Americans in the Philippines. They
hated Governor Harrison bitterly for
giving free rein to the Filpinos and
the Wilson note to Congress was fuel
to the fire. Annexation pure and
simple was their demand.
General Wood and former Governor
Cameron Forbes of the Philippines. ar
rived on the scene about this time.
The writer was sent by this paper to
accompany the mission which was to
find out If the islands could govern
themselves.
Predicted Negative Report
From the start It was clear the
Wood.Forbes report would be in the
negative. The writer. in his first story
from Manila, said the Filpinos would
not get their Independence and was
able to say that instead OF freedom the
administration of the islands would be
frightened up
This Tightening up" process is what
has CALLED the natives. General Wood,
now Governor, has taken the islands
back out OF their hands, they charge.
Wen wait for independence in.
definitely" Filipino Senator told me,
"and We won't fight. But such free
dom as we have attained must not be
taken from us. II 1t is, there'n be
trouble"
Now the trouble has begun.