The daily worker., 1926-07-22
BLAST ALL HOPE
OF EPENDENCE
FOR PHILIPPINES
Islands Are Valuable as
Rubber Plantation

MANILA, P. l., July 20.-All hopes
that the Philippines may get com.
plete independence thru mere asking,
were blasted in a speech made by
Colonel Carmi A. Thompson, who was
sent to study the economic situation
In the islands by President Calvin
Coolidge. In his speech Thompson
stressed the undeveloped resources Of
the island and urged them to pass
legislation not restricting Outside"
capital from developing the island.
Resolution.
In answer to Thompson's speech
resolution was introduced which de-
clared that If the United States
granted the islands their independ-
ence they would pass legislation re-
moving the barriers to foreign corpo-
raIions. The present law limits corp
orations to $500 acres Of land.
Unlimited Island Wealth.
Future commercial development is
in the Pacific" declared Thompson.
Your geographical position will make
you the center of this development.
The surface of your vast natural re-
sources are hardly scratched. The is
lands have unlimited wealth, COM
mercial possibilities and rich unde-
veloped resources. The natural
wealth about to be developed tntelli-
gently for the benefit of the people
Of the islands, under no circumstances
will be exploited to satisfy greed or
ambition.
"I hope you gentlemen in your wis
dom will find a way to open primar7
lily for the benefit Of your people the
public lands in the rubber section.
The eyes of the world are unon you.
You are marked for the next great
advance. You require capital, but
before the invitation to capital you
should pass such laws as will pre-;
serve the rights of the people as we'll
as safeguarding the rights Of those
who are willing to support progress
financially. am here to get the
facts and will make recommendations
which 1 trust will promote a better
understanding between the Ameri-
cans and the Filipinos. l hope this
understanding will lead to develop
ment Of a great and prosperous peo-
pie to be the model government of the
Far East as the American govern
ment is the model of the West"
Rubber Plantations.
Governor General Woods message
to the Joint session of the senate and
Ihouse stressed the possibility Of hav-
ing vast rubber plantations on the
island and urged the legislative bod
les to work towards that end.
within the limits Of the archipel-
ago very large areas are in every
way adapted for rubber production,
declares Woods report. THESE are
now covered by forests, jungles and
congo grass, giving small or no re-
turns. l believe if industry Is devel-
oped and we'll handled the Philip
pines can produce enuf rubber to
fully supply their own demands and
those of the United States. Rubber
production will facilitate very greatly
the economic development Of the is
Hands. l am confident that Filipino
llaborers, if well treated and reason
ably well paid, can be secured in suf-
lficient numbers to work the planta-
tions successfully and push the de-
velopment of the industry. Once the
details of producing rubber are un-
derstood, Filipino planters will be as
successful in growing rubber as they
are in growing crops, hemp and SUI
gar. recommend that legislation be
enacted to permit and encourage the
growing of rubber on a large scale" "
MANILA, P. l., July 20.-Governor
General Leonard Wood denied reports
that he had resigned.
Rumors that he had resigned had
been circulated since the visit here
of Colonel Carmi A. Thompson, who
! is making an economic survey of the
philippines for President Coolidge.
II