Evening star., 1933-01-13
PRESIDENT VETOES
ISLAND AUTONOMY
House Primed for Attempt to
Override Rejection of
Philippine Bill.
(Continped From First Page)

(Continped From First Page)
over the Islands as a conquest but to
permit them TO establish government
"I have visited the islands and stud
led the situation and I have found that
the only selfish interests are the Amer
leans in the Philippine Islands in
business and the interests here In this
country that control that business.
"Thsy do not want independence In
is years. They do not want it ever.
Tine other selfish interests are the
United States Army and Navy. They
do not want us to leave the islands
because they do not want TO give up
the service in them.
1T was the Army and the Navy
that influenced the Secretary OF war
and the Secretary of the Navy, ana
these two cabinet officers did more 70
influence President Hoover's decision
than any one else.
we promised the islands independ-
enee when they became able to organ
ize and maintain stable government
Their government is as stable as many
Of those in larger countries.
Some of the arguments given Dy Mr..
Hoover for disappearing the bill foi-
low: ...<
l. The Philippines economically are
| absolutely dependent upon their
favored trade with the United states,
and the period during which this would
be whitfield down and finally shut on
is too short, too violent"
2. Without favored entrance 10
American markets many Philippine in
dustries could not compete with nearby
lower costs and standards OF living,
Ia Ilyy IN q 6toht nf Tan-
ital, diminishing tax revenues and an
unbalanced budget.
No Domestic Protection.
8. American agriculture would be
given mo protection Of any kind" dur
ing the first two years, and during the
following five would have no effective
protection
4. The civil authority of the Uaited
States in the islands would be broue u
Ito a point of practical impotence" b Z.
with the American flag still flying woJ- ID
be faced with the likelihood of ha ing
to employ military measures to main
tain order"
5. With the nom Christian population
opposed to the controlling group, yet
constituting majority of the total
population, "the maintenance Of order
in this considerable element" would be
more difficult than at present.
6. The Philippine government has
not had sufficient income to support
even the Filipino Scouts, much less an
army or navy" while the United States
now spends annually on minimum
necessary American military force a
sum equal to approximately % per cent
of the entire island income.
Z. In comparison with .neighboring
Oriental countries the Philippines offer
large areas OF undeveloped resources,
ana the 'pressures of those immense
neighbor populations for peaceful in
filtration or foreeable entry into this
area are most potent"
The President pointed out that, while
the present bill would give the United
States an option on continuing its mill
tary and naval bases in the islands
after the 10-year period. 1t would give
no promise of maintaining independ-
ence against outside pressures except an
offer to attempt naturalization"
"Other nations are unlikely to be-
come parties to naturalization If we con-
tinue such bases" he added, land
naturalization Is a feeble assurance oi
independence in any event unless We
guarantee It.. That again Is the per-
1 petual engagement of the United State:
in their affairs.
But with the impression that these
| ideas In the bill convey 1t Is likely thai
! the Philippine people would vote in two
| years in the belief that Independence
is thereby attained and with the more
or less general belief that we will in
definitely engage our power and oul
own future welfare in the altruistiG
mission of preserving their independ-
ence from International forces against
which they ere incapable of defending
| themselves.
Therefore, before any plebiscite Il
held we should honestly and plainly
declare our intentions This bill does
not do this. In discharge of the moral
responsibilities of our country we have
no right to force an irrevocable deci-
| sion of their part to be taken two years
| hence at moment in history when
the outlook CT the world and of Their
surroundings Is at best unfavorahle tC
| their permanent independence"
Recommends Steps.
The President advocated that steps
be taken Immediately. however, looking
| to ultimate freedom. He urged thai
more powers be given island officials
| that immigration should be restricted
at once, and that there should be q
gradual reduction of free imports to the
United States.
| He suggested that there be fixed "a
mutual preference in trade, similar anC
on a wider. scale than that with Cuba,
and that the United States declare
definitely before any plebiscite whether
all its military forces would be with
drawn, or under what conditions pro-
lection would be continued.