Evening star., 1933-01-06

IL Hoover must make regarolng the
Philippine independence bill
now before him for signature or veto
In severing political sovereignty over
the picturesque islands acquired from
Spain, Uncle Sam also would END an
era of free trade, necesS1tatlng eco
nomic readjustments for the Islands as
well as the United States.
Under provisions of the bill as passed
by Congress- combination OF the So
called Hare and Hawes-Cutting meas
ures-the pathway toward independence
is not a short cut. Time is allowed for
the political and economic adjustments
that must be made before the Filipino
steps out as separate member Of the
family of nations.
IF the bill should receive Executive ap-
proval, and thereby become law, or II
Congress should enact the measure
over q presidential veto, the earliest
date upon which Philippine declara-
ton of independence could become ef-
fective probably would be about July
4, 1945.
This Is due to q provision in the
legislation for a 10-year transition
period, in which the islands are to
adjust themselves to the prospect of
complete freedom, coupled with q time
allowance for preparation of new
constitution and for a vote on its
adoption. This vote, II favorable, will
be the final expression Of the Philippine
people on the long disputed question
Of independence.
The processes to be involved in the
formulation of a new constitution and
as provided hereunder, a new insular
government, are somewhat devious.
Constitution Is Provided.
The independence bill as sent to the
White House provides for the election
and converting of a constitutional con-
vention at Manila within one year
after the bill is made law. This con-
vention must draft constitution fol
a republican form of government, with
long list of mandatory provisions, de-
signed to protect the interests Of the
United States during the period OF
transition and after.
The completed constitution must bt
submitted to the President Of the United
States for perusal within two years
from the date OF enactment Of the
independence legislation. If the Presi-
dent finds that the proposed constitu-
tion Is not In strict accordance with
provisions of the act, he must return
it with a message calling attention tc
the discrepancies. This process oi
amending or altering the constitutional
draft must continue until its authors
and the President are In complete har-
nony. 1t seems that at least a few
weeks will be consumed in these nego-
tiations.
When the President is satisfied that
the proposed instrument is in agree
xx,ffI ha lo he e RI
certify this fact, whereupon the docu-
ment is ready for submission to the
will of the Philippine people as ex-
pressed at the polls.
Election Must Be Called.
If a majority Of the qualified voters
of the islands favor adoption OF the
constitution, the governor general with
in 80 days must call for an election OF
officers Of the new government, pro-
vided for in the constitution. This
election must be held within half o
year after the proclamation Of the
governor general.
The results of such an election ther
must be certified to the President Of
the United States. who is then directed
to issue proclamation declaring an
end to the old government and the
birth of the new one.
But this does not yet mean inde-
pendenee.
For 10 more years the United State;
would exercise sovereignty over the new
insular government. and during this
"last stand" by Uncle Sam the islands
gradually would be casting off the
economic bands which now connect
her with "tke States"
The process of gradual economic
severance would be effected through q
system of tariff steps to be graduated
upward sharply during the last five
years Of the transitory period. Pro-
ceeds from these export duties are to
be used to reduce the bonded indebted
ness of the islands. When tndepen-
dence is complete Philippine goods will
be subject tc the same American duties
as other imports from foreign coun-
tries, pending trade conference be-
tween representatives OF the two ma
tions.
While there appears to be no diversity
Of opinion as to the right of the Fill
pino to eventual independence, lengthy
hearings in committee rooms and dis
cussions on the floor of Congress dis
closed a sharp and wide cleavage as
to the time needed to achieve this free
dom without menacing either the in
terests of the islands or the United
States.
In the Hare bill as passed by the House
last April by vote OF 306 to AZ, a
margin which gives encouragement to
those who propose to override the
anticipated presidential veto, the pc
riod Of transition or of preparation for
self government was fixed at eight
years. The bill as approved by the
Senate called for a 12-year period of
grace. In conference compromise of
10 years was agreed to.
Time Provision Hit.
It is the time provision that has
drawn most of the criticism from op-
ponents of the measure. Perhaps the
outstanding objector is Secretary OF
War Hurley. who holds to the conten-
ton that it is impracticable to set a
definite time in which the Philippines
must complete preparations for eco
nomic and political independence.
The economic problems involved in
effecting independence have been the
subject Of acrimonious debate. The
policy of free trade has resulted in a
close economic alliance that Is not
readily susceptible to sudden amputa-
ton, it has been pointed out.
In this connection Senator Pittman
Democrat) Of Nevada, friend Of this
legislation, comments:
This policy Of free trade was i'm
posed upon the Philippine Islands by
the United States despite the fact that
the Philippine Assembly by unanimous
vote protested against this action as
likely to so tie up the islands with the
American economic system as to cause
disruption at some time in the future,
and thus be an obstacle to the achieve
ment of national independence. The
handling Of this problem is one that
rests clearly at the doors of the Amer
ican people"
Senator Pittman illustrates this tie
up by citing trade figures. In 1899, he
points out, the total trade of the islands
amounted to $34,039,568, of which Is
per cent was trade with the United
States. In 1890 the total trade had
amounted to $256, ,26o,o81. Of which 72
per cent was with the United States.