Evening star., 1926-04-20

The appointment by President Cool
idge of Carmi A. Thompson OF OHIO
to make a special investigation of
conditions in the Philippines started
general discussion of the Philippine
problem. The importance of the
mission is unquestioned, though a
number of Democratic newspapers
doubt Mr.. Thompson qualifications
for the job and some see danger in
possible influence of American rubber
interests on his work.
President Coolidge's appointment
of Mr.. Carmi A. Thompson to make a
thorough survey of conditions in the
Philippine Islands ought to result in
disclosing the truth or falsity OF the
various reports rendered in recent
years by self-appointed investiga-
tors" observes the Providence Bulle-
tin independently, which goes on to
say: at is not to be a political In
vestigation. Rather the apparent
purpose Is to analyze conditions more
carefully from the economic stand
point, giving particular attention to
commercial, industrial and agr1cul-
tural expansion in the future"
The Utica Observer Dispatch Gn-
dependent) considers that the lin
portant thing about the appointment
is the evident desire Of the President
to get to the bottom of facts Of con.
ditions in the islands," and the Fort
Worth Record Telegram independent
Democratic) praises President Cool
| idge for having gone at this matter
| with his usual directness." The Salt
Lake Deseret News independently, re-
calling that "for the past four years
ravfov
| between Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood
and the Filipino political leaders, u
says "it is expected that the investi.
cations by Col. Thompson will have
| the effect of clearing the situation
| and determining more definitely the
| future policy Of the United States
| toward this important outlying do
| main"
While approving the seeking of all
| possible information on the natural
resources and development possibil.
ties of the archipelago" the st. Paul
| Dispatch independently feels also that
ut is equally desirable that the ad
ministration and the Congress should
take stock Of the political situation
in the Philippines"
AS to whether the proper man has
been chosen for the important mis-
sion there is some disagreement. The
| Norfolk Ledger Dispatch Gndepend
ent Democratic says no available
sources of information have "1ndi-
Gated why a lame duck politician
from ohio should be selected to
| make an economic survey that
would require a staff Of specially
trained men," and the st. Louis Post
Dispatch independently remarks:
| What Mr.. Thompson's qualifications
are for this responsible mission tC
the Philippines the public does not
| know. Perhaps Mr.. Coolidge does
If he does," suggests the Post DIS
| patch, at seems an excellent oppor
| tunity for him to break away from
the taciturn tradition and take the
public into his confidence"
The Charleston Evening Post Tin
| dependent Democratic explains that
MP Thompson 'is described as
close friend of Gov. Gen. Leonard
! Wood, who is head of the military
| administration of the Philippines
and he was secretary to Mr.. Taft
when he, as Secretary of War, made
his tour Of the islands for President
| Roosevelt" In the opinion Of the
Watertown Daily Times Gndepend
| ent), There is no disposition on the
| part of the administration to dis
| credit Gen. Wood. On the contrary
the investigation is designed to aid
him in the administration of affairs
in the islands. and to give him a per-
manent policy"
4 X n r.
The new investigation Should bs
carefully watched" the New Or
leans Item dndependent Democratic
believes, lest 1t be misused for the
benefit Of particular interests"
| Assuming this to be the thought
| that has been aroused in the minds
of Senators. the Little Rock Arkan-
sas Democrat Democraticl declares
"The appointment arouses the Sen.