New Britain herald., 1926-04-13
\ HARDY PERENNIAL:
 THE PHILIPPINES

For 25 years American officials have been suy,ng that when the Filipinos were ready for self,rulc they would got fl. For s5 years Americans have been building schools, teaching, educating and "ciyilising" the islanders, A new generation has arisen in tho archi- pclaGo q generation that has known nothing but American rule, This generation is not like tho old, It is dapper. quick-witted, edu- cated generation -- at least, com parativoly. IL has a running ac- qualntance with tho three rs geography, history and a smatter. ing of the other studies laborious- ly taught al school, Some Of the more favored Of the new genera ton have gone 10 college. And the more they learn the more they yearn - for self government. ! American political platforms have been carefully studied in tho i Philippines. where it has been noted that the American political | parties, with recurring regularity have been promising self-rulo, From the time of Mckinley to Harding the American slogan was given as "the Philippines for the Fillpinos," Congress itself, in en- acting the Jones law in 1916, gave the imprimatur of power and dig nity to the self-rule plan.
 Under the present administra- | ton, however, there are signs of q change. It is gaining momentum constantly. We now find staunch administration newspapers uttering uldtl IDcs dpoul ll4lS uoISeuSe about Philippine independence" -- which is stretching the point bit, as "self-government" is not exact ly synonymous with 'independ- ence" so long as a protectoratc remains.
 Those who arc disposed to be critical of the administration S waning upon this point de- clare the President ought to have enough facts at his disposal to warrant q policy in conformity with the heretofore accepted enun- citations of the Republican party But there are more unfavorable sentiments against Philippine self rule heard in Washington and elsewhere nowadays than ever be- fore.
 The last act was for the Presi. dent to send Colonel Carmi A. Thompson to the islands to gath CT information. He is 10 be a sort Of Colonel House, gumshocing around to see what he can learn What he will report to the Presl. dent is already being guessed al as the trip is regarded in well-in' formed circles as something in the nature of an administration gcs ture, Colonel Thompson is said tc be q very close friend to Governor General Wood, American dictator on the islands, and as such is no likely to make 0 final report radi. caly different from any the dicta' tor would make himself if request ed. But when the Colonel Thomp son report is made a good man! citizens doubtless will take it yer! seriously,
 One of the turning points in th' administrators attitude towarc inc Philippines has to do will rubber. With a British monopol, and consequent high prices starinl tire manufacturers in the face, anc the possibilities of growing rubbe , in the Philippines bright, it i small wonder that the desire t exploit the islands rather thai abide by the original scheme ha maturcd that is, if the natioI is to place commercial instinct above earlier promises,
 It was on March 13 that tn House committee on interstate an foreign commerce filed a rcpor recommending the establishment of an Independent source of rub her in the Philippines. This ma not he dcrogatory to soif-rule i tho Philippines. it must be re mcmbcrcd, as rubber could b grown thereby American Capiti irrespective Of it's political govern mcnt. But for somr hidden rcaso the proponcuts of rubber growth
 in tho heephiIirpInos much prefC Am'Hcan rule hy the Filipino Their reasons may lr good, or ma be entirely worthless.
 It was a f,s, weeks previously
 March -- rEat The war dcHar
 mont was a4,,s'd iy Govcrnor crnor-G aI.I Wood that he ha vetoed II W-s aal solutio'
 passed at the las; session of Il
 Philippine legislature, because the governor general claimcd-tf legislation conllic,cd with the 0,
 ganic act governing the islands, (