Evening star., 1934-01-23

The lapse Of the Hawes-Cutting leg
islation for conditional and progressive
independence Of the Philippines brings
to the front once more the question Of
what shall be done about the islands.
Newspapers declare that the old bill
was enacted for the benefit Of some
American producers and there Is little
surprise at its rejection by the Filipinos.
It Is observed that President Roosevelt
has asked Manuel Quezon, Philippine
leader, to present q new formula. The
Foreign Policy Association and World
Peace Foundation are quoted as to the
needs of the islands.
Points which are made in suggested
legislation are quoted by the Hartford
Times as follows:
Il. The Philippines should at once
be given a system Of responsible gov
ernment, subject to certain restricted
rights of Intervention by an American
Governor General.
-. While enjoying this status, the
islands should have the right to con-
clude certain treaties and to be repre-
sented at international conferences.
IS. This period Of responsible gov
ernment should terminate at the end
sion Of an international naturalization
agreement.
=. The United States should sur
render all naval bases In the Philip
pines to take effect upon naturalization
and independence A Philippine neu-
tralization agreement should be nego-
tiated as part of q settlement of larger
Pacific issues at the naval conference
to be held in 1885 or later.
rs. The United States and the Philip
pines should conclude a fifteen-year
reciprocity agreement, providing for
moderate duties and for quotas on i'm
ports from each country into the other.
IS. Filipino immigration into the
United States after independence
should be placed under the quota. or
regulated by q reciprocal immigration
agreement"
The Times calls the program well
reasoned" and adds that 1.-The Hawes-
Cutting act was q lamentable express
sion of broken faith"
'It was largely through the influence
Of Quezon," says the Oakland Tribune,
that the Hawes-Cutting law was de-
feated in the islands. his opposition not
being against freedom but against what
he considered commercial terms which
might work economic havoc to his peo-
pie" The Tribune also makes the sug-
gestion as to the proposed legislation !:
"1t would place the Filipino immigra-
ton into the United States on a quota.
Upon this point, if 1t reaches Congress.
there Is certain to be strong Western
opposition. The debate will also bring
assertions that, with the Orient unset
tied. there can be no pledge to remove
naval bases or enter into an interna-
ton naturalization agreement. War
scares will be exhibited. trade consider
ations will be stressed, exclusion amend
ments will be offered and so many OBJ
stacles put in the way Of the bill that
there is serious question II 1t can be
passed."
ITO allow the existing uncertainties
about the future of the islands to
continue" thinks the Baltimore Sun.
would be unfair to people toward
whom we have assumed inescapable
responsibilities" The Scranton Times
holds that "every one Is agreed that
something definite must be done about
the islands" and the Butte Montana
Standard, referring to q powerful ele-
legislation to cut the islands adrtft
without delay" adds that such action
would appear to promise even more
dire results than have been linked with
any possible enactment of the Hawes-
Cutting law" The Standard Is inclined
to favor the program submitted.
IF the present rate Of Philippine ex-
ports to the United States we're per-
mitted to continue, thus making it pos
sible for American consumers to buy
certain products at reasonable prices,
says the Louisville Courier Journal.
"and II the export tax were eliminated
from the independence act, 1t would
be morf honest. The Philippines have
O. muclsyight TO b tree q Cuba, but