Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-11
Hope Of Philippine Freedom !: !.
Raises Complicated Question

While most of those who comment
upon the subject Of Philippine indie
pendence assert that it should be grant
ed when and If the islands are ready
for self-government, the larger part of
the discussion deals with arguments
showing the unwisdom of such a step
at present.
"The islands are not ready for self
government within the meaning of in
dependent sovereignty" declares the
Kansas City Star. They have. not
made sufficient educational, political
and industrial progress to insure stable
latitude as their present government
permits, they do not encourage the in
vestment of foreign capital, which is
indispensable in internal development.
It would be an act of bad faith, con-
trary to American traditions to cast the
islands adrift through fear of the slight
economic competition they offer TO GER
tain American industries"
X X X X
Questions of far-reaching interna-
tional importance" are seen by the New
York Times, which adds: 1T is no
secret that the Dutch fear there would
be serious outbreaks among the natives
of the East Indies. The Javanese would
feel that If the Filipinos were fitted for
independence, they and other Malay
peoples should be freed from European
control. In India likewise the mere fact
of Philippine independence would be
seized by local Eastern agitatorS as
new reason for attempting to throw out
the English. The Koreans would take
fresh heart in their opposition to the
Japanese. The Chinese, long reSentful
of Americas immigration restriction,
hor Chinese settlers
ippines, would at once begin to move
into the islands by thousands. De-
fenseless, cut off from American mar
ketS' and money. unable to raise enough
taxes to keep the machinery of govern.
ment going, the Philippines would be
source of uneasiness and insecurity"
The assertion, that serious economic
results would follow the act of hauling
down the American flag Is made by the
Seattle Daily Times, and that paper
states further: THE Filipino independ-
ence delegation has a hard problem to
solve. The American flag has flown
over the islands for more than 80 years.
American capital and American citizens
constantly are going to the Philippines.
Senator Borah, who favors withdraw
ing American sovereignty, predicted re-
their freedom soon they never would
get it. Aside from the Congressman
who wish to tax Philippine products,
there is a larger group which believes 1t
to the advantage of the Filtpinos to
have access to the greatest market in
the world, and an advantage to America
to develop the natural resources Of the
islands and to promote commerce. The
country is not yet prepared to pull down
the American flag from over American
capital and American citizens"
X *
1.-The Filipino politicians who once de-
manded complete and immediate indie
pendence, according to the South
Bend Tribune, became less determined
during the wholly beneficial regime of
Gov. Gen. Henry L. Stimson. But the
question has been brought to the fore
in the controversy over the tariff.
American sugar growers and dairy in
terests said that Filipino competition Is
painful. They suggested high duties or
limitations in quantity Of Filipino ex-
ports. AS the islands are part of the
United States, this suggestion was called
illogical. The American tariff principle
obviously would be abused If 1t were
used to discourage imports from Ameri-
can possessions. The alternative, &C
cording to some spokesman for the ag-
grieved sugar and dairy interests, Is
Filipino independence.
THE question of independence, as
viewed by the Chicago Daily News, sis
not to be determined on a strictly eco
nomic basis. Further, American farmers
doubtless have more to gain from extern
sion of foreign markets for their prod
uctS than for the imposing Of tariff
duties on. imports. Of the products OF