The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-05-06
| Cover the World
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMs =

" Philippines has Jared an otherwise pre-
occupied Congress into a sudden, grim reaiza-
ton that disaster threatens the islands unless
something is done to remedy the situation.
1.-THE consequence of independence" said
economic suicide for the Filipino people,
America will be leaving in the lurch a people
she promised to protect"
There is no doubt in my mind" declared
Senator L. j. Dickinson (R., la, that the
revolt was due to economic pressure brought
about by the Tydings -McDuffy act. AS it now
stands, believe the act is unavoidable"
Some, like Senator Dickinson, insist indie
pendence should be granted at onoe else we
should continue our protectorate over the
islands Others, like Senator Tydngs Cd, Md,
co-author OF the act, say the revolt is domestic
matter for the F1lipinos themselves to work out.
Still others, like the Tennessean, suggest it
is up to the islanders to decide what they want
but that unless trade relations remain pretty
much as they were the Philippines are doomed
economically, therefore politically.
Accordingly Senator Mcclellan late yesterday
filed minority report with the Senate propos-
ing form of government headed by president.
put which otherwise would be similar to state
hood. If he were advising them, he told Scripps-
Howard newspapers, he would suggest the
Fllipinos should come before Congress and ask
amendments to the Tydings act to that effect
came among the population of the "coconut
belt around Manila. These people are typical
in that they live off what they grow AS
coconut oil has been virtually shut out of the
United States-its one big markedly process
ing tax these natives are desperate and easy
to persuade that revolt is the way out.
E1LIPINOS are overwhelmingly an agricul-
Il tural people. They export so per cent of
how
per cent enters the United States free of duty.
They are absolutely dependent upon this market
In 1888, according to the Philippine Economic
Association, the United States took So per cent
OF the total exports of the islands. The other
II per cent was distributed elsewhere around the
globe.
The United States takes 80 per cent of the
Islands export of sugar, &c per cent of copra,
10 per cent of the tobacco and almost all their
exports of coconut oil and embroideries.
For 70 years free trade between the Philip
pines and the United States has tended to
isolate the islands economically from the rest
OF the world and tie them tightly to this country
Meanwhile American products are gaining an
exclusive market in the archipelago. With a.
population Of only ID million they are our ninth
best customer. They are among the principal
outlets for our textiles. In 1882 the United
States sold them nearly S10000000 worth or
one-fourth of our exported cotton goods that year
In addition they imported large quantities of
American tobacco dairy products, meats fruits
and nuts, wheat flour, vegetables, leather and
its manufactures and other farm derivaties in
addition to wares OF iron and Steel automobiles,
radios farm implements, mineral oils machinery
and other goods.
1t was the American sugar and darying in
tereSts principally which insisted on the prirci-
pal economic features being written into the in
dependence bill.
The act calls for a 10-year transition period
before the islands acquire complete freedom
During this period, annual quotas of sugar, COCO
nut oil, manila cordage and similar Irvine will be
permitted to enter the United States free of
duty, the excess above the quotas to pay the
same rate Of duty as similar articles from foreign
countries.
THE sugar quota is equivalent to about $4,000
i short tons, coconut oil 100000 long tons, and
100000 pounds of cordage. All other products
are TO continue free and unrestricted entry
However, beginning the sixth year of the
transition period, an export tax for the benefit
OF the Philippines" is provided. This is to be
on sliding scale, at 5 per cent of the United
States tariff rates on such articles coming from
foreign countries and increasing to Is per cent
in the ninth year.
This export tax is to so into a sinking fund
for the purpose Of paying the bonded indebted
ness Of the Philippines.
No sooner had this law passed however SOL
EMMY fixing the terms under which the islands
would gain their independence, than another
IN effect substantially changing the terms was
passed levying cents a pound processing tax
on the products Of coconut oil in this country
The President protested that to change the
economic provisions of the previous law would
reflect discredit on the United States but it was
passed in the belief it would protect American
dairy interests IT didn't. 1t helped tallow, but
not the dairies.