Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
FILIPINO FREEDOM
MEASURE IS SEEN
Halves, Back From Islands,
to Introduce Bill in Next
Congress.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

VI anu SlOllSOI IVA VIM
providing for independence for the
islands, which was favorably reported
to the Senate during the last Congress,
has returned to Washington after an
extensive visit to the islands, imoueo
with the idea that the demand for
independence among the Filipinos is
practically unanimous.
The Senate Republican leader SEN
ator James E. Watson of Indiana, said
Yesterday he had no doubt that bill
for Philippine independence would be
considered by the Senate during the
coming Congress, probably at the next
session. He pointed out that consld-
Grafton of the Halves bill had been
promised at the last session but was
delayed because of pressing domestic
legislation.
Bill Would Have Passed.
Had the Halves bill been brought to
a vote in the Senate at the last session,
1t would have passed Senator watson
admitted. What the next Senate Will
do with such measure he was not
ready to predict The impression Is
gaining ground, however, that such
measure not only would pass the Senate
in the new Congress, but that It also
would stand an excellent chance OF
passing the House.
While Senator Halves was in the
Philippine Islands recently, he called
upon Emilio Aguinaldo, president OF the
Philippine Republic and general OF the
Filipino army in the early days after
the Spanish-American War and the
purchase of the islands by this country.
The Missouri Senator put to the vet
eran Filipino leader series OF questions
regarding the desire of the islanders for
independence, their ability to govern
themselves if granted independence, and
the effect economically and politically
upon the Filipinos OF such moe-
pendence.
Aguinaldo wrote his reply to these
questions in Spanish, which was trans
lated into English, and Senator Halves
gave it out for publication in this coun-
try for the first time last night.
Friendly to United States.
Aguinaldo is now about 81 years old,
and, as Senator Halves explained, has
for years been friendly to the United
States Government, although the in
Surrection led by him in the early days
of American occupation of the Islands
was more costly in lives and money
to this country than was all the war
with Spain.
The veteran Filipino leader declared
himself unalterably in favor OF the I'M
mediate independence of his people.
The restoration of the Philippine Re-
public has been the principal longing OF
my life" Aguinaldo wrote. That re-
public we had erected after tremendous
sacrifices: it was the compendium OF
our dreams as a nation subjugated for
three centuries by foreign domination:
it forms part of our very being as
people"
Aguinaldo resented the insinuation,
frequently made, that the popular ex-
preSsions in favor of independence
have been secured by intimidation.
ION the contrary" he continued,
ait may be said that political leaders
have had to declare themselves openly
for independence because a contrary
behavior would have brought popular
condemnation upon them"
Able to Cope With Problems.
He predicted that the demands for
independence by the FilipinoS would
become more and more pressing, He
said that it was true independence
for the islands would usher in new
domestic problems and added that the
Filipino statesmen would find them
selves able to cope with these problems,
once they had behind them the pressing
problem of independence. To delay
independence Aguinaldo insisted, was
merely to continue period OF doubt
which was bad both politically and eco
nomically for the islands.
Il believe" said Aguinaldo, that
when we are independent we shall nave
q better kind of democracy than that
which prevails in the islands today. AS
1t is now, it may be said that we have
only one political party. The opposition
has always been weak, and this Is at
tributable to the system whereby the
majority party has intrenched itself
formidably in power with the uncon-
scious allotment of the representative
OF American sovereignty.
"Twenty-four years have elapsed since
representative gov eminent was inaug-
urated here and yet the opposition party
has not succeeded in coming into power
If things are to continue as they are
now, doubt whether the opposition
could ever succeed the majority party
in the government. With independence
the opposition will have better chance.
We could then expect periodical changes
in party administration and the conse-
quent betterment of the public service"
Admits Possibility of War
Aguinaldo admitted the possibility Of
civil war in the event independence was
granted, but said that the price was
not too great to pay for independence.
He insisted, however, that the Fll1plnoS
were a peace-loving people and that
while the civil war might be possible,
he did not believe it would follow.
He said the termination of the
present uncertainty in the relations
III ho
States would benefit greatly both the
Filipinos and the Americans. He added:
II believe that a delay or 20 or 80
years in the concession OF Philippine
independence will work irreparable
harm to the cause OF economic and
political progress, aside from the fact
that during such long period of time
new difficulties might arise which would
necessitate further postponement OF the
grant. At present the country IS liter
ally mortgaged to the United States
Twenty years hence, therefore, the big
interests will have intrenched them
selves in such a manner and will COM
mand such means as would enable them
easily to Stif1e our future as well as
our desires for emancipation.
Aguinaldo expressed the opinion that
free trade between islands and the
United States, even though independ-
ence were not granted. would be re-
pealed by Congress, since American
agriculture was feeling the weight OF
Philippine competition now. he
secuted the argument that the Filipinos
were not prepared for independence and
declared that certainly nothing was
being done now to prepare them.
where" he asked "is the preparation
for an army and navy. for aviation and
for aerial defense? Where is the prepa-
ration In diplomacy and consular serv-
ice? It is true that much has been &C
ccmplished under American guidance;
we have better roads, sumptuous gov
eminent offices, a higher standard of
living and modern system of public in
struction. Nevertheless, as the enemies