Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20
BY CHARLES C. BATCHELDER,

Former Acting Secretary of the Interior for
the Philippines.
A RE the Philippine Islands to be
~ the base from which the United
a States will operate that COM
4 4 mercial invasion of China and
the Orient which is said to be
essential to our future prosperity?
VIII the islands be cast adrift to be
fought for by other nations which need
their great supplies of iron and other
minerals and their facilities for produc-
ing food to support their own crowded
millions?
Do present conditions make it hope
less for the Filipinos to maintain their
independence without the protection of
our armies and navies?
These are some of the great questions
with which the new governor general
Dwight F. Davis, will have to grapple.
AS Secretary of War from 1925 to 1929,
he had to deal with the complicated
problems which arose from the efforts
Of Gov. Gen. Wood to improve the adj
ministration and finances of the islands.
His familiarity with the situation was
very useful when Acting Gov. Gen.
Eugene A. Gilmore tried to secure the
cooperation of the Filipino Legislature
and Gov. Gen. Henry l.. Stimson began
the new policy of industrial and COM
mercial development which he had TO
abandon when he became Secretary Oh
State. The responsibility placed upon
the new governor general is very great,
for upon him may depend not only the
welfare of the Philippines but the con-
tinuation of the manufacturing progress
of the United States.
Manila Seen as Port.
While President Hoover was Secretary
of Commerce he pointed out the TACT
that Manila might serve as a port from
which the products Of the United States
might be distributed all over the Orient
and perform the same service for Amer
lea which Hongkong performs for the
British empire. This would not only
enrich the factories of the United States
but bring wealth and employment to
the Filipinos and solve many of the
difficulties which impede their advance.
At present the excellent piers and port
facilities are relatively unused.
The enormous increase of the COM
merce of the United States with the
Far East shows that our future lies in
the Pacific. Our exports with those
rage of $166,200,0o0 to $745, 100000 in
1927, from ~ per cent to 1873 per cent
of our total exports. Our imports in
creased from $262, 100000 to $1,284,-
500 ,OoO-from 15.5 per cent to 30.7 per
cent. During this period our percentage
of exports to Europe dropped from 62.3
per cent to 47.6 per cent, and our i'm
ports from Europe from 49.5 per cent
| to sos per cent of our total.
1t is to guard this great asset that
| the American Navy has been urging
the construction of the Is 10,000-ton
cruisers which have been the main
impeachment to a naval agreement with
| England.
Goods Must Be Sold Abroad.
| Many manufacturers are inclined to
| feel that the saturation point will soon
be reached in the United States and
| that If our workmen are to be en-
ployed their goods must be sold abroad.
As Europe Is engaged in making SIM
| liar articles. often with American loans
| and Arnerican-type machines, 1t is
evident that the markets must either
be In South America, with Its relatively
small population. or among the 9oo.-