, 1935-03-24
PHILIPPINES
CONSTITUTION
OKEH Is GIVEN

WASHINGTON. March 10. Pt-A
flourish of President Roosevelt's pen
Saturday brought Philippine indie
pjkdence another step nearer reali-
xation.
Surrounded by Philippine and
United States officials. the president
approved the recently drafted in
sular constitution.
That marked the last action neces-
sary by the United States for the es-
Enlistment Of home-rule govern
ment In Manila on November Is.
dominates Justice
To the assembled officials, Mr.
Roosevelt announced that he would
nominate Claro NJ. Recto TO be a
justice Of the supreme court Of the
Philippine Islands in recognition OF
his able services as president OF
the Philippine constitutional con-
vention."
The president added:
81 am happy to state that the
constitution submitted to me upon
behalf Of the Philippine constitution
al convention with certification I'M
der the Tydings-McDuffie indepen-
dence act conforms with the pro-
visions OF the act.
The members Of the convention
are congratulated on the satisfactory
completion Of a task so important
and significant In the life Of their
people.
In the event Of ratification OF
this constitution, the authority
granted to the commonwealth gov
eminent will permit exercise by the
Philippine people of general con-
troll, subject to only a few important
exceptions Of their local affairs.
During the period Of the COM
monwealth, there will remain with
the government authority common
surate with and necessary for or ap-
propriate to the ultimate reSpon-
sibilities OF sovereignty.
To Continue Experiment
Animated solely by feelings OF
cordially, sympathy and loyalty, the
people OF the United States and the
people of the Philippine islands have
been conducting together a great
experiment. and during the period Of
the commonwealth government thu:
experiment, and during the perioo
Of the commonwealth government
this experiment will continue unit
the ultimate withdrawal Of United
States sovereignty and the establish
ment of complete independence"
The members of the Filipino mis-
sion here and resident commission
ers Delgado and Guevara, said.
The Filipino people are deeply
grateful TO President Roosevelt toi
the favorable action taken oy MN
on their constitution"
Recto will be nominated to fill the
caused by the resignation
Of Justice Thomas A. Street, effec-
tive May l, 1885.
Ten years hence. under commit
ments OF the act passed Just q year
ago by congress. the Philippine re-
public is TO be established, but Sat
urday,s formality was accompanied
hy some indication that this final
eeperation from the United states
might be postponed.
Praising the constitution. the
president certified its acceptaolity
Ia Governor General Frank MURPHY
and then congratulated Manuel l.
cbezon, president Of the Philippine
senate and considered the probabls
first president OF the commonwealth.
Others present were Secretary
Dem Manuel Roxas, who has pee
mentioned as possible choice Tor tne
islands first vice president; OlalO
M. Recto. president Of the conven-
ton that fathered the constitution
and other members Of the group that
delivered the document to the pres
ident last Monday.
Governor Murphy was expected 70
summon the island legislature I'm
m~ediately to arrange a plebiscite on
ercentance az the constitution. After
popular approval election OF the new
rorernment officials is scheduled.