Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-28
The Philippines.


in opposition to legislation granting the
Philippine Islands immediate independ-
ence. The President in a statement to
the press declares that economic indie
pendence must precede political indie
pendence, If the Filipinos are to be
! politically independent with any real
| prospect Of remaining 50. The Chief
Executive has reference, particularly, to
the free trade which now exists for the
Filipinos with the United States. With
out that free trade. the industries of
the Philippines would be seriously af-
fected and the economic life of the
islands injured. There seems no doubt
that If political independence were
granted the islands, the first thing that
many Of those now supporting Filipino
independence in this country would de-
mand is an end of the importation into
this country of sugar and other island
products free of duty.
President Hoover made his statement
regarding the Philippine Islands fol-
lowing report made to him by Patrick
j. Hurley, Secretary Of War. Secretary
Hurley was sent to the islands by the
President particularly to report on con-
ditions there. His reaction was against
the grant Of independence. The grow
ing agitation in this country, particu-
larry in Congress, for immediate Filipino
independence caused the President to
send a member of his cabinet to make
the inquiry.
The Secretary of War found q strone
organized sentiment for independence
in the islands. But the organization
Of this sentiment has been going on
for years, vociferous and impatient.
Mr.. Hurley's impression, gained from
his stay in the islands, is that there
is likewise q strong sentiment in favor
Of the continuance of the present polit-
ical relations between the United States
and the Philippines, although this senti-
ment Is not organized and does not
make itself heard so often.
The United States has been in pos
session of the islands for more than
thirty years During that period it
daas done much for the Filipinos, much
also to help the Filipinos help them
selves. 1t has been the purpose of the
American Government to help the Fill
pinos to govern themselves. Gradually
the autonomy of the Filipinos has
been extended. In effect today they
make their own laws. having a Legis-
lature Of their own. The United States
sends to the islands a governor general
with a power Of veto. But it is power
that has been exercised with great care
and in the interests of the people
themselves.
1t would be idle for the United
States to grant full independence to
the Fflipinos if that independence were
to be threatened within a brief period
after the grant, either by foreign ma
tions or through internal disruption
Furthermore, the economic problems Of
the islands might become so severe as
to bring great distress to the Filipino
people. AT present the Filipinos are
favored in the matter of tariff restric-
tions so far as their trade with the
United States is concerned. II indie
pendence is given the islands, there will
be an immediate drive In this country
to shear the F1lipinoS of these BENEFITS
under the tariff law. Indeed, there has
been an insistent demand in this coun-
try already from sugar and other in
terestS that the free trade in commodi-
ties between the islands and the United
States be curtailed.
The Congress of the United States, II
reports be true, is in q temper and has
assumed a political complexion that is
favorable to legislation looking to i'm
mediate independence for the Filipinos
Bills are to be introduced in the Senate
and House during the coming session
providing for independence. 1t is nee
eSsary that the people Of this country,
as well as the Chief Executive, have as
fun and as accurate information re-
garding the situation in the Philippines
as is ohtainable. The visit Of the Sec
rotary of War to the islands and his
report thereon SHOULD prove of great
value in dealing with this question.