Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-01
Philippine Change of Mind
Matches American Opinion

Change Of opinion in this country
as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of keeping juris-
diction over the Philippine Islands Is
matched by similar reversal on the
part Of leaders among the Filipinos,
Who now lack enthusiasm for immedi-
ate independence. Comment charges
that the new American position is
based on economic considerations, since
free archipelago would offer less
competition with American materials.
The statement issued by the Filipinos
through 1.-The chief organ of the indie
pendence movement" is quoted by the
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin: The
demand for absolute and immediate
liberty becomes one for independence
following a reasonable period of politi-
cal and economic readjustment." The
Bulletin adds the comment: THE rea-
son for the switch Is frankly given;
that when there was no prospect of any
early American concession of independ-
ence the Filipino leaders logically
'pegged their demands high but now
that there is so much sentiment in the
United States itself for the grant OF
independence those same leaders are
beginning to come out with their honest
expectations There Is no inconsistency.
says their organ. but simply native
trading ability. It has always been
suspected. or rather known in this
country that the Filipinos, when II
came to the choice. would be most un-
willing to swap the United States mar
ket for their products that they now
enjoy and the international security
that this country gives them for the
doubtful blessings of independence
That is at last admitted in the
islands"
while Manuel Quezon and other ma
tive leaders insist that the Filipinos
still want to be free" says the Balti-
more Sun, this change in the char
acter of the independence movement IN
this country would afford sound and
reasonable basis for a reversal of the
native position. 1t would be entirely
logical for the Filipinos to object to
independence with a kick where they
would have been glad to accept indie
pendence with a blessing and with
promises of cooperation. 1t would be
equally logical for the American advo-
Gates of independence on abstract
grounds to reconsider their position in
the light OF recent developments With.
out such reconsideration they may find
themselves participating in piece Of
economic vandalism in the mistaken
name Oh lQedlSfn.
X
I'VE find the Filipinos most inter.
ested In freedom willing to wait a score
of years more. while American pro.
ducers, interested In increased price:
for their wares. are the principal advo.
Gates of independence, declares the
Schenectady Gazette, holding that Il
does not appear that either group ha:
abandoned the hope for freedom ulti-
mately." The Cleveland News believes
that 1.-The United States will scarcely
abandon its guardianship for reasons
of economy" although the News quote:
| figures to show the cost of military civil
representation in the islands, in add.
,. ton to the profit from fres trade ir
favor Of the Philippines. The Worces-
| ter Evening Gazette advises: "Sinct
the subject is coming UP for prolonged
discussion, it is a good thing to have
the air cleared Of some Of the can
about our love for the islanders and tt
focus attention upon the economic as.