The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-17
A PHILIPPINE CRISIS

UNITED States so long had held dominion
! 4 No statement has come from the White House
ito reveal exactly what Is behind the scenes but one
guess is all the average needs, for the situation
is obvious.
Uncle SAM accepted guest in the ISLANDS
after the war with Spain, has become an oVer-long
visitor And the visitor Is running the whole house
hold
You welcome your friend and protector to your
home. You bow him into the spare You pro-
vide for him with food. But when he elects to re-
main year after year and not only that, but also to
tell YOU when to serve the meals, how to take care
of the babies and so you begin to lose enthusi-
asm for his company. You get the feeling that II
he is to continue as fixture in the household, there
ought to be an understanding
That in a measure, represents the attitude OF
the Fipinos toward the United States Government
today. There is nothing surprising about it. The
only surprising thing is that they have been patient
long
The Filipino Legislature wants a plebscte on
independence of the islands. The legislature prob
ably will pass a pebiscite bill, Governor General
Wood will veto it, the legislature then will repass 1t
over his Veto and so President Coolidge will get it
for final decision
How will he decide-and upon what foundation
will his decision be based?
There is one outstanding reason why our Gov
eminent may oppose complete separation from the
Philippines at this time
It has to do with world peace, American obliga-
lions in the west Pacific and the safety of the Fill
pinos themselves. That reason is the vital one.
Should the United States withdraw in naval
and military way from the Philippines other nations
might very logically interpret the act as signaling
that we had lost interest in China and in our doc
4-t~n e. oodo ot1oI0 itvb
would be an invitation to other nations interested in
breaking down the open door policy and in the
toning of the spoils that lie temptingy in that
vast empire.
Right now the United States, largely because of
its military position in the Philippines is the police
man on the beat outside the by no means burglar
proof Chinese house
AS to the Filipnos themselves with flag
hauled down at Manila and American protec-
torate, they would be in a bad way in of trou-
ble Their place in the Pacific is much like that of
Belgium in Europe. Any power hoping to grab
China would first have to grab the Philippines.
And any power, out such mission, would quickly
move toward the Philippines, If the United States
had withdrawn.
Now:
We pledged the Filipinos long ago that we would
give them their independence. We have not kept
faith
well" it is said, I'VE didn't keep promise
because we couldn't without endangering ourselves
and surrenderng principles in the matter of
China"
But that is only true in part.
We maintain not only our military rights,
but the civil government we'll. We are running
the entire household II the Filipino legislature
passes law for the governing of its domestic
affairs, and If the American governor general does
mr. ike hat La he time
that sort of thing has passed.
The guest has become overbearng. 1t is
of his business how the domestic affairs
That's the way the Flipinos have to feel about
1t, and, doubtless, that's why Carmi Thompson
sent there.
Thompson will report to Mr. Coolidge and the
President will be called upon to make decision.
1t seems to us that there is but sensible and
honorable way out This:
While this Government must maintain its mill
tary position and its protectorate relationship 1t is
not necessary for us to run the domestic affairs.
Since it is obviously to the mutual advantage of
the Philippines and the United States retain this
countrys military position the islands, the grace
full way out becomes merely matter of method.
The desired end should easily be accomplished
through treaty under which this Government would
cease to NEEDLE in domestic affairs while retaining
an armed protectorate that would discourage would
be China grabbers that would guard the Fplnos
from peaceful penetration; that would permit
Nation to keep its place watch dog in the west
Pacific; and that would allow to remain there,
no longer unwecome guest, but as one whose
presence welcomed and mutually agreed.
The suggestion for such treaty might most
properly come from us, following Thompsons return
to the States, and his report to President Coolidge
All that Government requires in the Philip
pines are fenced off naval and military bases and
reservations, with adequate Notifications at certain
strategcal points in the islands, with supervisory
power foreign treaties, whether military or
financial such as exercise in the case of Cuba.
That would put us in positio nwhere we could
protect the Filipinos without domineerng and bully.
ing, as do. At the time, we would
continue to act the policeman at our own back
door ..and-pardon if we to consider this i'm
portant-we would be making good our word there
by removing the stain that will remain upon our
national honor until solemn promise to the
Filpinos is fulfilled.