Evening star., 1934-05-12

While the Philippine Legislature has
accepted the provisions of the Tydings-
McDuffie act granting freedom for the
islands, many Americans voice con-
Germ as to the future economic pros
perity of the islands under the ar
rangement that has been made. Inc
islands go through a l0-year period OF
existence as commonwealth before
complete severance is accomplished.
and the gradual raising of bars on in
tercourSe with the United States Is
held to offer uncertainties.
Nevertheless. the Nashville Tennes-
sean makes the comment on the ac-
ton of the island legislators: The
Filipinos stand committed now to as
sumo the responsibilities and the ex-
penses of self-government. The United
States has acted only after persistent
petitioning. Our country has been
true friend to the FilipinoS. If eco
nomic factors have played a part in
the framing and adoption of the final
act of liberation it has been funda-
mentally inspired by high ideals and
altruism. and the voluntary relinquish-
ing Of our power in these islands prob
ably is without precedent in the colo
NAL policies of great nations"
Independence has been long de-
layed," remarks the youngstown VIM
dicator, land upon many occasions
has been the subject of heated de-
bate in official and political circles.
1t is to come at last with the best
wishes of the American people and the
hope that the Filipinos are well pre-
pared and will make the best of the
opportunities and responsibilities that
will be theirs when they go their way.
This Nations experience in the Islands
has been costly in setting up a form
of government different from the old
rule, the suppression of insurgency
and the education and preparation OF
the islanders for the day that Is soon
to dawn. 1t is to be hoped that when
that Gay arrives it will bring the Fill
pinos the happiness they anticipate.
instead of the tragic results which
might so easily ensue upon their be-
ing set adrift."
Provision for a constitutional con-
vention is considered one of the fac
tors in uncertainty by the Danhury
(Conn) News-Times, which declares:
1T Is not at all certain that any con-
stitution satisfactory to the United
States will be approved. The ruling
group in the islands consists of Amer
leans who want free trade with the
home country. They were efficient in
showing the Filipinos that the first
independence proposal was not want
ed 1t is possible-it is even probable
that they will defeat the second pro-
posal. During the commonwealth
period no increase will be permitted
in quantity of sugar shipped duty free
beyond. roughly. that shipped in 1882.
Only so Filipino immigrants are to
be admitted annually. After inde-
pendence the rules quota regarding
Asiatics will apply"
Mass immigration Of Filipinos into
the United States. according to the
Long Beach (Calif) Press-Telegrarn.
will be brought to q close, and that
paper suggests that, with a new day
dawning for the islands. probably
many Of the islanders still In the
United States will be drawn back to
their own country" The Buffalo
Evening News, however, states that
"those who understand what the
measure means so far as the future
Of the Philippines is concerned. look
forward to the carrying out Of the act