Evening star., 1933-01-24

Final passage OF the bill for Philip
pine freedom by both branches of Con-
gress over the veto of President Hoo
yer arouses very little enthusiasm in
this country. Most comments indicate
doubt that the islanders will gain any
advantages from the freedom which
may be obtained by favorable action in
the islands. and suggest that CONNER
cial losses and lack of financial stabil-
ty may subject them to impositions by
other nations. Supporters of the bill
mold that the pledges Of the United
States have been fulfilled.
The San Jose Mercury Herald ad-
vises that "a stable government cannot
exist without both an economic and a
political foundation in the islands. ana
neither exists" The Rock Island Argus,
holding that the bill would cripple
Philippine commerce" declares that "it
is poor policy to turn the Philippines
loose and on their own until they can
take care of themselves" The Dayton
Daily News emphasizes the point that
"the 10 years before independence are
years of increasing barriers to Philip
pine trade" and believes that there Is
great reason to believe that the thing
We are doing is so done as to threaten
the economic ruin Of the islands"
TT is to be hoped" declares the Fort
Worth Star-Telesram, that the Fill
pinos will be explicit about their atti-
tude toward the measure. II the United
States Is destined to 60 over there In a
few years and pull the little brown
brothers from beneath the heel Of 9TH
ers, we should know whether We are
going to the rescue of our own property
or exercising the Missouri insult of re-
senting our dog being kicked around
even though it had allowed itself to be
whistled away from our bones and
kennel"
Internal chaos will certainly be the
consequence of independence. and the
work of more than generation will be
wiped out within few years." in the
opinion Of the Boise Idaho States
man, while the Newark Evening News
remarks that the measure, "camou-
naged to look like q proud vessel of in
dependence. Is only q dingy little cargo
boat" That paper, however. adds that
at best it will probably be some l3
years before the bill goes into effect"
and that 1T may be that American
sentiment will rally to the responsible
ity of dealing with the fate of
iS.oVV,OVo people Win Some SNOW oi
craftsmanship
In defense of the bill. the Yakima
Daily Republic holds that I'VE never
should have taken the islands over; we
don't want them: we have no response
bilities. and they want to be independ-
ent. The Salt Lake DeseYet News ar
CUES that "the alternative seems to be
the permanent policy of Colonial pos
sessions" and that no serious school
OF thought IN America advocates this"
The Lincoln State Journal feels that
the issue has been bcfore the people
and Congress SO long that Congress
should be familiar with every argument
for and against independence. That
paper concludes with the hope that
the new freedom will answer the
prayer of liberty-loving people, and
that 1t will come to them as q bless
Ing. even though 1t Is not instantly
achieved"
Although the measure has certain
possible economic weaknesses to which
the Chief Executive has ably pointed
argues the Asbury Park Evening Press,
'it Is for the most part the expression
Of . fundamental American policy
which assures political Independence to
any nation that desires It," The