Evening star., 1924-03-14
Airs Philippine Views.
Writer Says New Leadership ].
Needed for Freedom.

To the Editor of The Star.
nave Just read very interesting
! ana thoughtfully written article in
Ihe Star of the 10th instant by Mr..
ffospero c. Sanidad, a Filipino stu
dent In this city, in which 1t is sug-
sested that the proper way to solve
the Philippine problem is to make
Philippine independence an issue in
the coming presidential campaign.
OF course. the suggestion is utterly
lmpracticable. Campaign managers
are extremely practical men, and no
one is going to try to force on the
American people an issue of second
ary Importance at a time when they
are deluged with domestic issues of
transcendent Importance Indeed, so
numerous are these domestic issues
that the leaders Of both parties are
hard put to il to decide which of them
must be excluded and which retained,
Tor every campaign manager knows
the fatal weakness of having too
many issues.
Seen Impossible as Issue.
But surely the political history of
this country since the United States
TOOK over the Islands demonstrates
beyond any possible doubt that Phil
Ipplne Independence cannot be made
campaign issue in this country, even
In normal years. The mere inclusion
in the platforms of both the great
political parties of declarations of
policy regarding Philippine independ-
ence does not make il an issue, as has
been amp V demonstrated in the past.
Ihat sort of thing is done consistent
Iy by both parties in order that
neither may charge the other with
political sin of omission
There is much in what Mr.. Sandal
my admiration. His aim is the in
dependence of his country, and that
is sufficient to comm: nd the respect
of any American. Again, I lived in
the islands for nearly six years, and
since then I have been a careful OBJ
server OF the progress made by the
Filipino people. ] know their many
virtues. They are ambitious. indus
triouS. courteous. and lavishly hos
pitable. With the Filipino the most
casual guest is guest Of honor. |
nave known them to go TO no end of
bother to render assistance to per-
feet stranger. The respect shown by
Filipino children for their parents is
EXTREMITY beautiful. and it is not con-
fined to the period OF childhood but
extends throughout their entire lives,
end Is found in all walks of life.
These are merely a few of their traits
that nave won my regard, and !
enumerate them merely that ! may
to say later.
Suggestion Is Criticized.
But Mr.. Sanidad. however. con-
scious'y or unconSciously, discloses
something which, as 4 friend OF the
Filipino people, I am very sorry to
learn, namely, that the political view
point OF the present generation in
the islands varies but little, if any.
from that of the past. And this after
twenty-five years of American guild
ance. Is this a confession that the
Flllpino mind is Incapable of the
higher political perception? Here we
have representative of the younger
generation in the islands falling
easily into line with the older politi-
cal leaders and suggesting that the
issue of Philippine independence be
taken over the head of the President
people for q decision. One would
imagine that before deciding to pur-
sue that course Mr.. Sanidad, and
others who agree with him, would
have carefully considered the results
of similar efforts in the past. And
what have they accomplished? Abso-
iutely nothing, so far as obtaining
independence is concernedi
True the participation of the Fill
plno people in their home affairs has
been somewhat enlarged. and very
properly so, in order that they might
have a larger opportunity to demon
strate their fitness for self-govern-
ment. But they have not yet been
granted their Independence That
they have made real progress during
the past twenty-five years every fair
minded person must admit. The facts
demonstrate it beyond question And
yet the attitude of the American peo-
pie toward Philippine independence
remains exactly as that attitude was
expressed in MCKinley's instructions
70 the first Philippine commission.
Why? Simply because no Pres dent
of the United States has yet recon-
mended that they be gi"en their in
dependen &c. On the other hand every
President. from Mckinley to Coolidge.
has given the Filipino people posi-
tive assurances that once they are
fitted for Independence they shall
have it.
Says President Was fnSulted.
Would it not seem to be the logical
thing, therefore, for the Filipino
leaders to endeavor to win the Presi-
insult him? And that is exactly what
the most conspicuous man among
them today has recently done when
he declared through the press that
President Coolidge is not repre-
sentative American and does not in
tend to treat the FilipinoS fairly.
With all the eviden ce the Filipino
people have before them that the
American people will not grant them
their independence until the Presi-
dent of the United States recommends
it, how can they hope to accomplish
their aims by pursuing such a course?
Is this the best leadership they can
offer US? / DOUBT it.
knowing the Filipinos as do, am
convinced there can be found among
the ambitious and educated young
men of the islands today a very con-
siderable number who are entirely
capable of realizing the fallacy of such