Evening star., 1933-10-23

Filipino voters appear to the people
OF this country to have acted with
wisdom in rejecting the form of inde-
pendence that was offered by the
Hawes-Cutting act. The period during
which the change would be in progress
and the economic arrangements are
considered to represent unjust treat
ment OF the islanders. 1t is predicted
that better terms will be sought from
Congress.
Both political and economic consid-
erations." in the opinion Of the San
Antonio Express, demand a new act
defining the status of the Philippines,
which could not now maintain them
selves as an independent nation" The
Express also comments: 1T would be
grossly unfair should this country seek
to maintain its Philippine market by
such q one-sided arrangement as that
provided BY the Hawes- Cutting act.
That measure sharply would restrict
imports Of Philippine sugar, coconut
oil, copra and Manila hemp. At the
same time 1t would forbid the Manila
government to impose any duties on
American goods so long as the United
over the islands
When the Philippines began to re-
veal their possibilities as producers of
sugar" declares the Baltimore Evening
Sun, American sugar interests swung
INTO action. For though the shipments
from the Philippines have never
amounted relatively to any great guam
tity, the islands are within our tariff
wall and are consequently q threat to
our own producers. cane growers in
Louisiana and beet growers in the West.
Consequently these interests became
stanch and determined advocates of in
dependence for the Philippines"
The possibility that "Quezon and
Osmena may compose a new independ-
ence mission to Washington" Is sug-
gested by the Salt Lake Deseret News.
The Deseret News also recalls that for
mer Gov. Roosevelt, speaking in New
York. "said that ultimate independence
for the islands seems doubtful because
Of their location athwart the trade
routes from China and Japan which
them" The Port Huron Times Herald
finds that there has been a slump in
the independence movement over here
while it has been made apparent that
the Fflipinos are not nearly so unani-
nous for freedom as they were repre-
sented to be-" The Oshkosh Daily
Northwestern analyzes the Philippine
position in the negotiations with the
statement that Manuel Quezon, the
chief Filipino spokesman, has pledged
acceptance Of the act If President
Roosevelt will give assurance Of certain
amendments"
Similarly examining the islanders
point Of view, the Philadelphia Eve
ming Bulletin offers the summary Of
the issues: "The Filipino leaders OBJ
jected to the delay In granting inde-
pendence and to other features re-
garded as limiting sovereignty. The
action of the Legislature was procured
by them to give them q better bar
gaining position at Washington. Man.
uel Quezon, the chief Filipino spokes-
man, has pledged acceptance Of the
act II President Roosevelt will give
assurance Of certain amendments
Many in this country who regard the
act as an unworthy scuttling from
American obligation would welcome un-
qualified rejection now or an attitude
at Washington that would force final
rejection BY the Filipinos as a matter
Of prestige. But the agricultural back
ing Of the measure in this country Is
potent, and the Filipino leaders, al