Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-28
u. S. TRADE VITAL
FOR PHILIPPINES
Coconut and Sugar Cane
Now Duty Free, Seen as
Key to Future.
BY the Associate d Press.

By the Associated Press
Two fixtures in the Philippine indie
pendence picture are the coconut and
the sugar cane.
Their presence might easily have been
in the mind of President Hoover yester-
day when he said independence now
would mean an economic collapse for
the islands.
He wants the Philippines to get their
financial affairs in better shape before
they strike out for themselves.
The coconut and the sugar cane
have been q factor In the apparently
growing sentiment for independence in
Congress.
There are Americans who feel that
the competition of Filipino vegetable
oils, made largely from the meat of
the coconut, and sugar make it harder
for farmers in this country to scale
economic obstacles.
They have not been convinced by
arguments that there is little COMPETE
ton between Filipino oils and American
butter and oleomargerine and that sugar
from the islands makes slight difference
one way or the other.
Enter u. ;. Duty Free.
Filipino products enter the United
States duty free. In 1880 70 per cent
of their total of $133, 900 900 in export
and $l2S 100000 in imports came 70
this country.
The PARKWAY islands had favor
able trade balance with this country
last year of sat 900.
Not all OF that balance was sugar
and copra derivatives but those who,
from economic motives. want the Phil
ipptneS let loose are not concerned With
goods America would import anyhow.
If the islands were freed. most Of
their products, sugar and vegetable oily
included, would probably ind q tariff
wall to hurdle before they were placed
on the shelves Of American stores.
That. at least. is the plan Of most con-
gressional opponents of independence.
Dwight Davis, Governor General Of
the Philippines, said frankly last year
that q United States duty on Philip
pine sugar would mean the ruin Of
that industry.
Admit Grave Problems.
Among the Filipino political leaders,
even those loudest in their demands
for ndependence-and that includes
the majority--admit that immediate
independence would give the islands
severe financial aches and pains.
Some want independence to be taken
like the average escription-moderat
doses over a certain period-until the
islands have accustomed themselves 10
the change.
Quezon, president Of the Insular Senate,
were that the islands be given tmmedi.
ate freedom, but that free trade be
continued for 10 years
He recognized the Importance of the
coconut and the sugar cane by adding
that island imports Of vegetable oil and
sugar to the United States might be
limited somewhat.
Pedro Guevara, senior commissioner
for the Philippines here, commented on
President Hoover'S statement by urging
that the administration adopt a definite
WNVy " @ pfVpf YVVlN nVY YNAt
to expect
advocated irdependence for the isyan asss
but most of them felt they were not
strong enough to walk unatded. u
Wilson recommended immediate free
dom, but Harding, after commission
had investigated, decided the time was
not at hand, although 1t was in the
ofing
There, in the opinion Of the admin
iStration, 1t remains today.
Events, however, seem to be shaping
to bring the question, along with others
rooted in economics, before the next
Congress for serious consideration.
Three Plans Proposed.
Even as President Hoover talked, dis
patches reached Washington from Ma
Mia telling Of three independence propo-
sitions put before administration and
congressional leaders here by Manuel
L. Quezon, president OF the insular
senate.
The first call for immediate freedom
with free trade with the United States
for 10 years, but limiting sugar and oil
exports, and restricting Filipino inmj-
grafton into this country.
The second would have similar trade
and migration arrangements; and have
provision for broad autonomy but with
restrictions safeguarding American SOW
ereignty for 10 years. After that, q
plebiScite would be held to determine
whether the Filipino wanted to continue
under such government or become tnde-
pendent.
The third provides independence in
any form.
On hearing what Mr.. Hoover had to
say, Pedro GueVara-SeniOr commits
sioner here for the Philippines-con-
tended the administration Should come
out with definite program regarding
the Islands"
Wants to See Hurley.
He plans to consult with Secretary
Hurley later in the week. Pending the
Secretary's report. he Is withholding
comment on developments as to the in
dependence movement.
Chairman Bingham of the Senate
Territories Committee agreed with what
the President had to say. He expects
Congress to enact some sort of indie
pendence legislation at the coming ses-
sion.
The Connecticut Senator expressed
a hope the time provided before
plebiscite is taken will be long enough
to permit the readjustment in Philip
pine industry which will be necessttated
''by the fact that their best market viii
be shut of by tariff walls when they
become independent"