Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-07
ISLAND CONDITIONS
. PRAISED BY WOOD
Prosperity, Increasing Con-
tentment, Puts SeIf-RMe
Far Off, He Says.

Viewed from every angle general
conditions in the Philippines are lex.
ceedingly favorable" in the opinion Of
Mai. Gen. Leonard Wood. governor
Of the islands, who today conferred
with Secretary Davis at the War De-
partment.
Prosperity in the Philippines con-
stitutes the greatest danger to the
cause of independence" Gen. Wood
declared, because of the growing
contentment Of the people" Known
throughout his long record in the
Philippines as an opponent of in
independence at this time, with its
curtailment Of free trade with this
country and concurrent increase in
the cost of government, cannot be
realized for many years to come.
Opposes Control Change.
Gen. Wood declared that he hoped
control of the Philippines would re-
main under the jurisdiction of the
War Department. His views are in
direct conflict to the recent suggestion
of President Coolidge for the transfer
of the insu1ar government to the De-
partment of the Interior.
The objection to transfer raised by
government needs a department with
the necessary strength to back it up"
Although Gen. Wood declared he
IL feeling ''fit," he is far from being
the specimen Of vigor he appeared to
be on the occasion Of his last visit to
the National Capital about five years
ago. His complexion is rudy a. /
his hair hardly turned gray, but the
feebleneas of his walk tells of his
long stay in the tropics.
Conference on Finances.
Gen. Wood said that he had con-
ferred with Secretary Davis about
financial conditions in the Philippines,
particularly, conditions which he
described later to newspaper men as
'very encouraging" He was anxious,
also, he explained, to learn the War
Department. views and so work out
between them policies that would
benefit the islands. II look at the
performances Of the War Department
in the Philippines, Cuba and other
insular possessions with a great deal
Of satisfaction" said Gen. Wood.
That his visit here has nothing to
do with politics was made clear by
the man who on more than one occa-
sion has come near being nominated
for the presidency by the Republican
party.
With proper development and en-
couragement from the Government,
Gen. Wood declared, the Philippines,
in course Of time, will be able to pro-
duce rubber enough to meet all the
needs Of the United States.
For Plantation Leases.
He said he would recommend leases
Ia 4o%i
acres in size for at least 50.year
period. From the viewpoint Of Ameri-
can needs, he believed the cultivation
OF rubber to be the most important
economic factor confronting the is.
lands. The present restricting land
laws. he said, did not permit enough
acreage to be leased.
GEN. Wood undoubtedly Is enjoying
his visit to Washington, where he is
renewing many acquaintance. he
will remain here tomorrow and then
leave for New York. Before leaving
Secretary Davis, he invited the cabinet
officer to make visit TO the Phlilp-
pines this FAN. Secretary Davis ex-
blamed that the Mississippi flood sit.
11ation probably would make 1t inn
possible to leave Washington at that
time.
To See President n.
Gen. Wood said he would return
to Rapid City to visit President Cool
idge again before he sails for the
Philippines in September. He was
not certain whether he would be able
to revisit washington before his de-
parture.
He did not give any indication how
long he would continue in Office in the
Philippines, explaining there was still
much work ahead of him. Along san.
itary lines, he indicated a great deal
more could be done than now. I'VE
are looking forward to the develop
Inent of sanitary conditions as the
basis for sound economic conditions"
he added.
40 an evidence of the friendly
character Of the Filipinos, DESPITE his
attitude on independence, Gen. Wood
said he has not received a. single
threatening letter during his six years
rule in the islands.