Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09

thing must be done. Whether the din
Guilty can be met by granting Filipino
independence I do not know"
Historic presidents would seem to
suggest that whenever California or the
West Coast generally wants something
done about Oriental immigration it be-
comes pretty earnest on the point-and
ultimately gets the exclusion that it
desires. 1t is just short of so years
since California made up It's mind to
exclude the Chinese, and succeeded in
having the exclusion brought about,
although the rest of the country was
dubious, both about the exclusion and
about the means through which Cali
fornia achieved it. And it is just about
rs years since the Pacific Coast made
up its mind 1t wanted to limit and
later to prohibit Japanese immigration
and ultimately the Pacific Coast was
as successful on this point as it had
been about the Chinese.
Osias Recalls Placards.
incidentally, the Delegate in Congress
from the Philippines, Mr.. Osias. con-
tributed bit of information which is
likewise faithful to the precedent of
history. He explained the principal
reasons why Filipinos are coming to
our Pacific Coast in unusual numbers
Just now.
THE American shipping, interests are
placarding the entire Philippines with
the allurements Of this country. These
advertisements are being translated
into the different Philippine languages
and seek to depict this country as the
land of opportunity. In response to the
propaganda OF these interests, Fill
I do not know that the Fill
pinos are to blame. We are living
under the United States flag; we have
been enticed by alluring advertisements
presenting this country as a land of
golden opportunity The only
proper remedy to this and allied prob-
lens lies in granting us complete in
1t was the steamship companies
wanting passenger fares, together with
some American business desiring chean
labor, that had large hand in bring
ing TO America, between 20 and 40
years ago, the large numbers of i'm
migrants whose presence ultimately
caused us TO adopt our immigration
Europe.
Would Japan Get Control?
Whether or not it is desirable to d.
vest ourselves Of the Philippines and
give them independence is one of the
major problems Of American statesman
snip. II has angles that are practically
never mentioned in the present debates
IN Congress. What would become of
the Philippines? Is it certain thew
could or would remain independent?
would they ultimately drift toward
Japan? II we should withdraw our SOW
eIelgnty from the Philippines would we
g.
tent curtail our naval interests in t1e
racine Ocean? II 1t were known def
nltely that America will withdraw from,
the Pnlllpp1nes what effect would that
knowledge have upon the Naval Con-
ference now under way in London2 n
we should withdraw from the Far East
would Japan and Great Britain. to-
getner or separately, regard themselves
as raced with increased responsibilities
In that quarter of the world?
Without any doubt there are delicate
aspects to this question, but these as
pecS are not being considered in Con-
gress. For the moment, or at least very
soon, 1t seems that Filipino iYnn1igra.
ZION alone will become the largest single
factor In driving us to a decision about
Filipino independence.
immigration Is the most action pro-
voklng subject with which the ni,es.
ton of Philippine independence could
De involved. Last Summer. in the
senate, Philippine independence was
involved IN the farm problem, and six
Linportant farm and dairy ORGANIZATIONS
demanded that We set the PhilippineS
Tree; the motive was frankly selfish.
Tariff, Not Altruism, Farm Objective.
From the Philippines come certain
products, chiefly fats, which compete
WIN some American farm and dairy
products. Also from the Philippines
comes sugar, which completes with
american beet sugar. Because the
philippines are under the American
nag her products come here free of
tariff duty. The farm ORGANIZATIONS
and their representatives In the SEN
ate demanded independence for the
Philippines-not for the sake of the
Pnllppmes, and not for any altrlIistic
motive; but wholly in order that we
might be able to set up a tariff against
their products.
To the Senate, hard-boiled as IL is.
the proposition put so badly, seemed
little raw" The Senate. or at least
sufficient number of the Senate to
be decisive, did not quite like to have
1t said in history that America set the
Pnlhpplnes free wholly as an incident
of a tariff debate.
question fairly imminent. Immiera-
ton VIII make it much more immi-
nent,>
Present Status Bar "Unfair,S
There are many angles to the ques-
ton and many differing proposals.
There is one bill which would exclude
the Filipinos as immigrants, while con-
tinuing to keep the islands as part Of
our territory and while making no
change in their status. IF that bib
passes" says the Filipino Delegate, MFR
OSias. 1T will be great injustice. The
remedy Is to see that the American.
Philippine question be immediately
brought before Congress for final solu.
ton. The only proper remedy
lies In granting us complete independs
ence."
Senator King Of Utah has a proposal
which would declare the Philippines
independent forthwith. Representative
Nelson OF Wisconsin has q bill looking
to commission of nine Americans and
nine Ftlipinos, who would study all the
problems involved and make recon-
mendations to the United States Con-
gress and the Filipino Legislature.
Senator Bingham of Connecticut has a
somewhat similar proposal for a COM
mission. Senator Vandenberg of Mich
igan has bill looking to a kind Of
gradual and experimental independ-
ence. 1t proposes neutrality-suspicious.
for probationary period. It would set
up Commonwealth of the Philippines,
with immediate political and economic
autonomy, which would last, as an ex-
pertinent, for 10 years. II the expert
ment should be successful, the United
States would withdraw and make the
Philippines finally independent in 1910.
Island Romance Moved Poets.
Who can remember when the Philip