Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25

lLtTARY administration in
hu the Philippine Islands is
vi about Ia 2iVe way TO civilian
L rule. but there is to be no
relaxation of American con-
troll in any direction. If anything,
mat control Is 10 be strengthened.
Therein lies the significance Of PreSi'
cent Coolidge's appointment Of Henry
J.. StlmSon 10 be governor general al
me islands. in succession To the late
Gen, Leonard Wood, Col. SiimSon
VIII embark upon his mission in Manila
early in January AS he himself has
Just outlined his conception of his
duties before the insular affairs com
mlttees OF the House and Senate. Col.
SumSon'S task is 10 carry out the
provisions of the Jones act. or or
Sanic law OF the Philippines. without
fear or favor. independent agitation.
either there or III the United States.
VIII not cause the new governor gem
eral TO devlate from the principle that
TIE islands are the possessions of the
American people. ITO have and TO
hold, and that the time TO suvren,
Ger our authority over them is not
Yet matter az practical politics.
1t IS not widely known that about
Year ago Col. Stimson made an eN-
haustive tour of the Philippines. He
e-tsttANA E4aN safIdlN tiCdi ulilu 10 AuS
STUDY OF every one of their political
and economic problems. Stimson
came to a variety Of definite con-
clusions as to both the good and the
had points of the different regimes
that the United States has MAIN
tanned at Manila during the past 80
years. One of, the positive convic-
tions Col. Stimson formed was that
the Filpinos, under the governor
generalship of Francis Burton Har-
rison during The Wilson administra-
tons. We're permitted 10 "backslide"
10 an extent that seriously under
mined American authority under the
Jones act. Stinson found that Gen.
Woods energies had had 10 he large
j. absorbed in recovering the lost
sovereignty Of the United States.
Formulated Views on Policy.
Shortly after his return from the
philippines this year. Col. Stimson
formulated his views regarding flu
ture policy for the government of the
islands in an article on that subject
written for Foreign Affairs. He
pointed out that Americans at home
have their own part to play in i'm
proving the lot OF the Filipinos The
FIRST and principal step" Stimson
wrote, would be the public avowai
OF a stable American policy toward
the Islands, even OF the most general
character.
The road TO il would he by the
abandonment OF all planks for prompt
Philippine independence in party plat
forms; by repeated manifestations Of
e consistent policy on the part OF our
executives and our Congresses Of both
parties. backed UP by similar consist
ent expressions Of opinion by our
press and other leaders Of opinion
The reply Of President Coolidge in
1923 10 the demand Of the Roxas Mis-
sion for the recall Of Gen. Wood was
described by Col. Stimson in his For
sagn Affairs article as IAN instance
Of a clear and satisfactory expression
OF American policy and one which
produced an excellent effect in the
islands" Mr.. Coolidge on that occa-
sion said: The Government of the
United States would not feel that Il
had performed its full duty By the
Filipino people, or discharged all Of
It's obligations 10 civilization. II IL
should yield 81 this time TO your as
piration for national independence"
A graphic idea Of the basic princi-
pies which viii inspire Governor Cen
eral StirnsOn at Manila is conveyed by
certain striking passages in the article
hereinbefore mentioned. In the course
Of IL. he says:
IF IL were made entirely clear that
America had decided To carry out
patiently 10 it's distant conclusion the
experiment undertaken in 1899. and
ira; in the meanwhile il would not
consider any abandonment thereof or
experiment with any short cuts. the
effect upon the ultimate solution Of
this problem would be great. The
thoughtful Filipino politicians would
then discuss In public what they now
dlscuss in private with the visitor.
namely, the necessary steps to be
taken along that path Of seif-goyern-