Evening star., 1934-03-23
BILL
GIVEN ROOSEVELT.
Senate Passes Measure.
Quick Acceptance by
Islands Forecast.
BY the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
The Philippine Islands were but two
steps removed today from a pathway
that in a dozen years would lead to
independence.
Both steps appeared likely to be
taken quickly. The first, the sigma
ture by President Roosevelt on the
Tydings-McDuffie bill, was expected
today or tomorrow. 1t was approved
by the Senate yesterday, 68 to 8. The
second step is approval by the Island
Legislature, already forecast.
The bill was unchanged from the
recommendation of the President.
The Senate rejected four amendments,
three of which would have shortened
the independence time.
Only the Republican Senators
Austin, Barbour, Carey, Dickinson,
Fess. Goldsborough, Kean and Van-
denberg spoke against the measure
when it finally was called to vote.
Senators King and Long, who Wig
orously had voiced objections in the
debate. did not vote.
Freedom Within IL Years.
AS passed, the bill gives the Philip
pines their independence on July 4,
l945, or within a year or two there
after. 1t must be accepted by the
Philippine Legislature before Oc-
tober l.
President Quezon of the Philippine
Senate, who has not been in good
health, plans to send his mission home
next week. but is expected to remain
in the United States for medical
treatment
The principal difference between
this bill and that which expired Janu-
ary IT was that the new one pro-
States after independence of her mill
tary reservations in the islands.
The United States. however, will
retain her naval reservations and
fueling stations. pending a conference
within two years following indie
pendence
Just before passage Senator Tydings
read to the Senate a letter from
QueZon. The latter Endorsed the new
measure and expressed hope it would
be promptly enacted. Quezon was
the chief opponent of the old law.
May Alter Bill.
Senators Pittman. Democrat, of
Nevada, and Tydings made it plain
the United States was in no way
committed to future alterations of
the bill. but the latter said he be-
lieyed if the new laws terms were
found onerous on the Filipinos
changes could be made.
A congressional commission will go
to the islands this Fall to investi-
gate objections to the economic pro-
visions of the law
All Filipino leaders have promised
its immediate acceptance, and Tyd-
ings said the bill would be accepted
within 80 days
The statement by President Quezon
follows:
Il am very happy over the enact
menC of the McDuffie-Tydinss bill
1t is a elimination OF the work OF my
life for the freedom of my country.
The difference between the bill
and the forthcoming bill, to which l
have objected. is that the Hawes-
Cutting bill authorized the President
Of the United States at his discretion
to retain military and naval reserva-
tions after independence, which OF
course is incompatible with real in
dependence.
Sees Real independence
THE military reservations having
been eliminated from the bill and
naval reservations being left for fu-
ture negotiations between the two
governments, the bill thus grants real
and complete independence TO the
Philippines
Il am thankful to the President for
his wonderful message to Congress.
wherein he states that other defects
of the bill will be corrected after due
hearings. I am also thankful 10 Rep
resentative McDuffie and Senator
Tydings as we'll as all the members of
their respective committees. and to
Congress for this legislation which
redeems the solemn pledge of the
American people and Government to
grant the Philippine people their in
dependence.
Il am sure that my people are now
more than ever grateful to the United
States, and when the political ties
binding the two countries are cut, the
bonds of everlasting friendship and
good will bind the two peoples to-
gether for all the years to come"