Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-03

Another opportunity for a general
expression of views on the question of
Philippine independence has been
given the American public by the re-
port of Col. Carmi Thompson. sent by
President Coolidge to investigate con-
! ditions in the islands. Col. Thomp-
sons conclusion that the time is not
ripe for turning the Filipinos loose
to shift for themselves is Endorsed by
many editors, and his suggestions OF
new administrative activities and
changes in methods also attract favor
able comment. In some quarters. how
ever, the idea of indefinite postpone
ment of complete independence is dis
ouieting. The Des MoineS Tribune
thus expresses it's feeling on that
point:
'It is going to be harder and harder
hereafter to defy, for purposes OF
military appropriations and the like.
the concept of national honor that
must not be permitted to be chal-
lenged, while carefully lodging the
Ifulfllment of r. solemn pledge in which
the true national honor is definitely
staked.'
1.-THE tenor of the recommends
TONS" in the opinion of the Sacra-
mento Union, 'is just what every one
with the slightest acquaintance with
the Philippine conditions knew honest
and non-political judgment would die
tate. The recommendation that COM
plete independence be not extended
| until the islands are sufficiently devel'
oped to maintain an Independent
status is equivalent to saying thaht
the United States should continue its
present role of benevolent and pro
tecting friend until there is more edu
cation and experience in the business
of government. This Is the policy
which the averge Filipino. exclusive
of the politicians, desires this country
! to maintain
Y x x *
'"rhe time has come" advises the
New York Times, ito place a mora
torium on politics, both here and In
the islands, and to concentrate our
attention instead on the development
of Il decent and effective government
which will hasten the educational, So
cial and economic growth of the Phil
ippines. Our duty is. and for years
will remain, that of trustee. So long
as the trust obligations are unfultill-
ed we are bound to administer the
trust in the best interests of all the
beneficiaries. This demands on our
part a thorough understanding of
what we have done in the Philippines
and of what still remains to do.
Americans are indebted to Col. Thomp
son for having helped greatly TO en-
tighten them about the true nature
of the Philippine problem"
when Col. Thompson states that
politics Is back of the whole question
of independence" says the Dayton
Daily News. that must be accepted
as fact 1t Is easy to understand why
economic conditions are not what
they should be. American business
hesitates to explore field in which
discomfort and turmoil thrive. Amer
can finance insists on being in safe
hands. With the natives of the is
lands disagreed among themselves
on the question of independence, and
distrustful of the aims and purposes
of each other. business and financial
men in this and every other country
are not to be blamed for withholding
relations. Col. Thompson's suggestion
that civil advisers be sent to replace
the military advisers now furnished
Gen. Wood might serve TO satisfy