Evening star., 1935-03-23
ROOSEVELT SIGNS
ISLANDS CHARTER
Hull and Filipino Leaders
See Last u. S. Action
on Independence.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

Surrounded by a group of Govern
ment officials and high officers of the
Philippine government President
Roosevelt today signed the certifica-
ton Of the recently drafted Philippine
constitution, thus bringing independ-
ence for the islands another step
nearer realization.
This was the last action necessary
by the United States for establish
ment of home rule government in
Manila November Is.
In signing the certiflcation, the
President made brief talk to those
of cordiality, sympathy and loyalty
animated the people of the United
States as we'll as those of the Philip
pines in working out together what
he termed a great experiment which
will continue until the ultimate with
drawal of the United States sover-
eighty and the complete independence
of the islands.
Must Be Ratified.
Mr.. Roosevelt's part in this formal
ity was his signing of the certiflca-
ton taht the constitution as pre-
sented by the Philippine Constitu-
tional Convention conforms with the
provisions of the Tydings- -McDuffle
independence act. This constitution
must now be ratified by the Philip
pine electorate and for that purpose
Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy, who at
tended today's ceremony, will set
date as soon as possible and set the
machinery in motion.
The constitution as certified pro-
vides for commonwealth government
to govern the Philippines for the 10
years before complete independence
is established. There was some in
dication today the final separation
might be postponed.
To the assembled officers, Mr.. RooSe-
welt announced he would name Claro
M. Recto, president of the ConStitu-
tional Convention, to be justice of
the Supreme Court of the Philip
pine Islands to fill a vacancy caused
by the recent resignation of Justice
Thomas A Street.
Mr.. Recto, who is recognized as
one of the leading patriots and states
men of the Philippines and who was
a dominating factor in bringing about
the adoption of this constitution by
the convention, was among the
Philippine statesmen present at the
signing, and was congratulated by
those present.
CongratuIates Convention.
AS the President signed the certi-
fication, he said:
Il am happy to state that the con-
stitution submitted 10 me on behalf of
the Filipino constitutional convention
for certification under the Tydings-
McDuffie independence act, conforms
with the provisions of the act.
THE members of the convention are
congratulated on the satisfactory COM
pletion of the task so important and
significant III the life of their people.
In the event of ratification of this
constitution, the authority granted to
the commonwealth government will
permit exercise by the Filipino people
of general control, subject only to a
few important exceptions, of their 10
cal affairs.
During the period of the Common
wealth there will remain with the Gov
ernment of the United States author
ity commensurate with and necessary
for or appropriate to the ultimate re-
sponsibility of sovereignty.
Animated solely by feelings Of cor
diality, sympathy and loyalty, the peo-
pie of the United States and the people
of the Philippine Islands have been
conducting together a great expert
ment, and during the period of the
Commonwealth government this ex-
pertinent will continue until the ulti-
mate withdrawal of the United States
sovereignty and the establishment Of
complete independence"
In the group to witness this historic
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