Evening star., 1935-11-15
The New Commonwealth.


A new nation came into being today
with the establishment at Manila OF the
Commonwealth of the Philippines. After
four hundred years native government
undertakes the administration OF the
affairs of the islands. After thlIty-SeVen
wears of American rule, which was a
consequence of the war with Spain, the
former possessor of the Islands, the
United States relinquisheS this response
bility. The ceremonies at Manila, fol-
lowing long preliminary of congress
sional legislation and inSular preparation,
mark the beginning of the new RESPONSE
bility resting upon the people who have
been under American tutelage since 1898.
In his proclamation President Roose-
velt formally declares the end OF the
American rule and the institution OF the
government of the Commonwealth. This
proclamation does not refer to the TACT
that a period of ten years must elapse
before the establishment of self rule In
the islands is permanent. The Secretary
of War, however, present in his official
capacity as the head of the department
under which the insular affairs have been
administered during this tutelary period,
noted the fact that under the conditions
of the legislation which opened the way
to complete Philippine independence
period of ten years must elapSe before
that status is to be finally established.
In his speech at Manila Secretary Dern
stated, doubtless with the authority OF
the President, that the ten-year trial
time is necessary in order to launch the
Philippine Republic under the most IA
vorable auspices and provide an adequate
safeguard for the interests both OF the
American and the Filipino people
In the new President and Vice Presi-
dent of the Philippines, the first ever
named to those titles and responsibilities,
the islands have men of ability and ex-
perience. President QueZon and Vice
President Osmena have labored long
and steadfastly for the emancipation OF
the islands from American rule. They
have been chosen for the posts of highest
honor by the votes. of the people for
terms of six years. President Quezon
has served as delegate for the islands in
Washington and also as member and
leader of several commissions seeking
the establishment of independence,
the last of which was finally successful.
His qualifications for this new response
bility are manifest. He will be faced with
many problems, complex and difficult.
The advice and the assistance OF the
American Government will be at his
service and he will doubtless avail him.
self of them.
The best wishes of the American peo-
pie go to the Philippines for the success
of this adventure in self rule. At no
time since the necessities of war COM
PEELED entrance into those waters and
ultimate undertaking of insular admin
istration has the United States desired
or sought the exploitation of the people
or the lands of the archipelago. The
dangers and the difficulties Of complete
home. rule for the islands have delayed
this grant of opportunity which was
today celebrated at Manila. There is no
thought or desire here for a failure of
insular autonomous government. On the
contrary, the "best wishes" of the United
States are that the Commonwealth of the
Philippines will pass the trial time sue
cessfully and that its flag will fly con-
tinuously in the future in token of peace
and prosperity and happiness.