The daily worker., 1926-08-25
LIPINOS ARE
AGAINST CHANGE
IN LAND LAW S
Opposed to Coolidge's
Rubber Policy
BY HARRY CANNES.
(Anti-lmperiaIist Press SerVice.)

kAuhl-lHnPSTldllSt FTeSS SeTNlee.)
Manuel Quezon, leader of the inde-
pendence movement in the Philip.
pines, declared in a recent statement
that he is not opposed to the cultiva-
tion Of rubber in the Philippines, but
objects to rubber being made the lever
for putting over reactionary measures
in congress as well as depriving the
Filipinos of the right of self-govern-
ment.
Must Not Rob People.
"The Filipino people are anxious
and willing to give the American peo-
pie rubber and the other commodities
they need, provided this is done with
out exploiting our people and within
the limits prescribed by the land laws
of the islands," said Quezon.
How closely the question of rubber
growing in the Philippines is being
manipulated by private concerns is
demonstrated by the fact that Harvey
Firestone, Jr., on behalf of his fathers
rubber trust, has drawn up a law
which would permit Firestone G Co.
to exploit 100000 acres of rubber land
in Mindanao, P. l. that he is going
to try to force the Filipino Legislature
to pass. Should this fail it will be his
endeavor to have congress override
the insular legislature and enact the
law.
Laws Need No Amending.
Referring to the present land laws,
Quezon said in his recent statement:
1--WE do not feel that it is necessary
to amend or change the existing land
lawns to bring about this develop
ment. l personally have opposed and
will continue to oppose any change
that would mean a backward step for
my people,
Quezon has the backing of the su-
preme council in his stand on the rub
Der question. The Filipino people are
unanimous in the belief that the grow
ing Of rubber by American trusts in
the Philippines should not be made
the means of depriving them of the
rights of self-determination
Grave Mlseivings.
The attitude of the United States
government in furthering the interests
of rubber growers at the expense of
exploiting the Filipino people has
brought. about grave misgivings on
the part of the Filipinos with regard
to the oft-expressed altruistic motives
of the American colonial policy. The
| Filipino people sense a far-reaching
! change which will rebound to their
disadvantage and will mean a back
ward step.
Declaring that I'VE Should prepare
the mind of our people to receive this
grievous disappointment, this throw
ing wide open of our sacred patri-
many, which is the soil, to the exploit
tation of large interests" the Philip.
pines Herald criticizes the present pol
icy of aggrandizement.
Capitalist Interests.
"The impending change of policy
of congress, frcm one of protecting
and safeguarding our public lands to
one of delivering them to the control
Of big business, goes to show once
more that no matter with what good
Intentions the ruling of other races
may be carried out, when it comes to
showdown the material interest of
the sovereign nation, or of it's capital
lists, will have to prevail. 1t is this
very danger which argues for the self
determination of peoples, in order that
their welfare may not be swept away,
and overwhelmed by the economic
program and development Of the
mother country"