Evening star., 1932-04-03
Autonomy on Equality With U. S.
Quezon Proposal for Philippines

MANILA, P. IA plan by which
the Philippines might voluntarily
remain within the political sovereignty
of the United States and by which
Americas diplomatic position in the Far
East could be strengthened has been
outlined by Manuel L. Quezon, who is
the undisputed mentor of Philippine
statescraft. Discussing the present
| situation, Mr. Quezon's criticisms may
be summarized as follows:
First. Political association per Sc
with America is not, in all probability,
| obnoxious to the Filipino people. But
association with America as a subject
people is obnoxious That is the present
attitude of the F'ilipinos. The stigma of
/ conquest is upon them, they feel it
deeply and will feel it until it is
removed
Second. Governors from the United
States and government by tutelage in
the Philippines are antiquated, if they
were ever needed. But, on the other
hand. Federal Government representa-
ton in Manila is welcome and desir-
able so long as American sovereignty
prevails.
Quezon Outlines Solution.
Mr.. Quezon's solution is an organic
act for the Philippines (paSsed by
Congress and approved by the Presi-
denO creating an autonomous gov
ernment in the island to have equal
participation with the United States
in arranging the terms OF trade be-
| tween the two countries. In other
words, autonomy even in tariff mat
ters; power to levy duties upon Amer
ican goods entering the Philippines,
America keeping her power to levy du-
/ tlnC NiY,o rir,or 10
United States. Power over trade be-
tween the United States and the
Philippines is now wholly in CongresS.)
! Mr.. Quezon would permit the Fill
pinoS to declare by plebiscite their
| willingness to remain with the United
States or their desire to end the re-
lationship; and the United States should
make similar decision, to keep on
with the Philippines or let them go.
The stigma of the present situation.
involuntary on the part of the
F1liplnos, would be removed If the
people voted Yes, we stay with the
| United States" Continued sovereignty
would be by consent of the Filipinos, a
matter of pride instead of humiliation.
Wants Restraint Removed.
II shall explain what I mean," said
Mr.. Quezon.
Il am man far from being we'll CHe
| is recovering from lung trouble threat
ening tuberculosis) OF late I don't
care to go out much and I spend all
my time in this house. I like it, But
If any one told me I had to keep to
! my house for seven days, all the Joy
/ of being here and doing that very
thing would be gone; it would be
something had to do instead of some
| thing I wanted to do.
"Or take Canada. for a political
example. If a movement began in
Canada to withdraw from England
| and join up with the United States,
would it not at once find encourage
ment in the United States? Yet why
is there no trouble In Canada about
this? Because Canada is SO COM
pletely autonomous that her associa-
ton with England in the British
Empire Is voluntary. She could break
the ties at any time, and because she
could she doesn't want to do it. She
! is free.
Americas relationship with the
Philippines is not as happy as Eng
lands with Canada.
I'VE certainly must admit that sus-
picion of America is not lacking in the
Far East. Americas coming to the
Philippines was an aggression. We
didn't ask her to come; we fought to
try to drive her away. But she
licked us and stayed on. stayed on