Evening star., 1923-11-30
Jones LAW |Sb|G
PHILIPPINE ISSUE
Dispute Over intent of U. S.
Measure Called Chief Dis.
turbing Element.
BY WALTER j. ROBB
Correspondence Of The star and Chicago
Daily NntHa

correspondence OF Inc star ana tnlcago
Daily News.
MANILA, November 30.-Reporting
news from the Philippines Is largely
d matter OF eliminating absurdities--
like the canard wirelessed to u New
York paper recently that there was
strong possibility, if not probability,
of an uprising against the United
States. Such a thing would, of course,
settle the status of the Philippines in
relation to the mother country with
out further delay, but can hardly be
hoped for. The reason is that what
ever impatient politicians may say to
the contrary. under the stress of gar
nering the votes of the hustings, the
fact remains that Fiiipinos like their
relatiohs with the United States and
.e American civiiization--from jazz
% Jurisprudence
One Disturbing Eie ment.
There is only one disturbing element
az the situation, which viii continue
be agttated vociterUusly ~ means
u the propaganda fund until Goa
sress settles it. That element IS the
fenic act of the islands, but over
tts intention which the Quezon-Os-
enena fusionists have based the entire
platform which has kept them In Of
gee for seventeen years: 1t would. II
congress sustained their theory, Pc
vetuate khem in office indefinitely
Hith good party men deciding cleo
eiop Controversies, etc. and party
BOARD directing the National Bank
Md handling national" enterprises
srom the railway to coal mines-and
the governor-general q mere figure
head
The decision made by Secretary Of
War Weeks that well defined con-
stitutional system of government was
esta blished by the Jones. law, with
due checks and balances, and in fol-
lowing this pr,nciple Gov. Gen. Wood
has not exceeded his executive pow
srs, Is very naturally not accepted by
the fhsionists as final. Were they TO
accept II. their fimsy platform would
crumple and their political doom
would be sealed.
Weeks Authority Denied.
So time Is gained by denying the
authority of the War Secretary TO
pronounce final opinion and appeal
ing to Congress to rule that the in
sulaT chief executive Shall relinquish
administrative authority to the fu-
sionist majority.
Their democratic enemies consider
them on vulnerable ground, and as
sail them accordingly, saying their
government is one of men and not
Of laws. that II thwarts popular will
and abuses public confidence. 1t is
fusiouist complaints against Gov
Wood that reach the United States.
but columns OF vernacular papers
are filed with Filipino complaints
against Filipino officials. Gov. Wood
RECEIVES many anonymous letters and
none of them belabor him. On the
contrary. they cite alleged derelic-
tions of Filipino officials and renew
protestations Of loyalty to Wood per-
ill., ITr,ty I'D -nt
Governors OF provinces frequently
take their pens in hand and indite
something OF the following purport:
Our provincial board has just ap-
asking for independence from the
United States and demanding your
recall. Please understand that we did
this for the sake Of policy; we neither
want American sovereignty to cease
nor that you be recalled. etc, etc"
Fight VIII Continue.
Such letters are signed. but Gov.
Wood naturally respects their conf
Dental nature. The little game be-
tween the outs, and the ins and this
little byplay- OF finger-poInting at the
governor general Will go right ahead
during periods when the islands have
governor generals who will not abdi-
cate their authority until Congress
takes the jolSers out Of the Jones law
ana by formal act repeals the local
legislation which all lesser authorities
except partisans agree Is unconstitu-
tional. For the fusionists say they
never intend to lay the question be-
fore the United States Supreme Court;
they will not voluntarily knock the
props from under their own platform,
nor deliberately commit political sui
eide.
While their. hands are on the public
purse with such riches in it as the
propaganda fund and the subsidies to
national" enterprises they are any-
fous to remain very much alive.