Evening star., 1935-04-04

Signing Of the constitution for the
Philippines by President Roosevelt re-
news interest in the progress of the
islands toward the independence that
is planned to follow 10 years Of vir-
tual dominion status. Some Ameri-
cans suspect that the Fihpinos may
not be so eager for freedom as the
time for separation from the United
States approaches.
Economically, the experiment does
not look promising" according to the
Newark IN. j. Evening News, which
offers the explanation of its view:
President Hoover denounced this in
dependence bill and it was passed
over his veto. When rejected by the
Filipinos because of some objection
able features, it was modified slightly,
but it remains more of a bill to pro-
tect certain American industries from
Filipino competition than bill in the
economic interest of the islanders.
With all the economic and political
confusion there is in the world at
present, it is safest to regard the next
10 years as a period of experiment, in
which the United States, as well as the
Filipinos, will need to exercise the
greatest wisdom and restraint"
Experienced observers, among them
w. Cameron Forbes, former Gov
ernor General of the Philippines,
saws the Pasadena (Calif) Star-News,
''believe it to be quite possible that the
Filipinos may request q modification
of the independence act, in view Of
the special dangers that are arising.
Mr.. Forbes said recently: I feel, and
o great many Americans and Fill
pinos feel. that the problems that will
confront the islands, to go on without
their own navy, their own guns and
their own trade avenues, are extremely
serious The responsibility Of the
United States in this matter Is grave,
as Mr.. Forbes sees it,"
This country will retain control
over the debt of the islands, the cur
rency and coinage, court decisions
and foreign relations during the com
monwealth period preceding outright
independence" explains the Schenec-
tady IN. " Gazette, emphasizing the
democratic type Of political set-up.
The Battle Greek CMich) Enquirer
News quotes Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy
AZ stating that ''the islands are ready
for Independence and have balanced
their budget"
The worcester OMass.) Evening Ga
zette charges that the independence
hill "is dishonest, as some Of its sup
porters have already discovered" and
that 1t "giyes the Philippines fnoe-
pendence at the cost Of the American
market upon which they largely de-
uend." The Gazette continues: THE
purpose Of the law is to rid us Of the
Islands. But we shall not be rid OF
them. We are not rid Of Cuba. We
may talk pious platitudes about non
intervention, but we shall continue to
interfere at Havana as long as we
have any American money invested
in Cuba. The Philippines-when the
native politicians fall afioul Of each
other, or get into q row with Japan
we shall be called upon to help them.
It Is doubtful that they can maintain
q stable government. It Is certain
that they cannot. if they experience
an economic collapse. And, by barring
them from our market, We are doing
our utmost to ruin them economi-
caIly."
These are parlous times in the Far
East" AYERS the Chicago Daily News.
the American dairy interests and
American and Cuban sugar interests,