Evening star., 1935-12-16

on Lbe FHutpp1He StLu1LIOH. Inc
eighth t0iH appear tomorrow.
BY BEN McKELWAY,
staff Correspondent Of The Star.
MANILA, p. I.-No one who talks
with the American business men who
live in the Philippine Islands or the
"old-timers" who have made this their
home for many years can fail to be
impressed by the extraordinary una
nimity of opinion among them over
what they believe to be the deplorable
mistake the United States has made
in granting independence at this time,
even under the conditions imposed by
the Tydings-McDuff1e act.
talked to many Americans in va
riouS portions of the island and be-
lieve it is accurate to say that pre-
vailing sentiment considers that the
step represented in establishment of
the commonwealth is against the best
interests both of the United States
and the Filipinos.
Their views differ only in the man
ner and degree of their condemnation
of the United States for what they
regard as an act of unbelievable folly.
Some of the embittered and disillu-
stoned among them speak loosely and
unconvincingly of seeking citizenship
under some flag that backs up the
interests of its nationals. Others,
having witnessed the sometimes curl
GUS whims and vagaries of a long line
of good, bad eod indifferent governor
generals sent to the Philippines as
political reward, temporary banish-
ment or as place to rest until some
thing better turns up. philosophically
accept establishment of the common
wealth as merely another stage Of
progress in a circular direction. The
American flag, they contend, will be
flying for 10 years at least and in all
probability will remain here indefi-
nitely.
Point of View Warped.
Most of the Americans IN the
islands, it is true. are influenced by
their own interests, and their point
of view is consequently warped by
some understandingly wishful think
ing. A great many of them came out
here with the Army and remained to
go into business which has been
profitable. They live long way from
home. They have been colonists, and
they have taken the view Of colonists.
They have been able to live on scale
in the Islands that might have been
denied to many of them at home, and
the prestige of their native land has
given them a sense of superiority
which Is not unpleasant. There are
about 5000 Americans in business on
the islands, and their investments in
gold mines, sugar, hemp and coconut
plantaticus and IN business-including
the investments of Americans living
in the States and including Philippine
bonds held ia the United States
amount to something In the neighbor-
hood Of $3.50, 100000.
They feel that these investments
are placed in jeopardy through even
tual withdrawal of American protec-
ton, for they doubt the ability Of the
commonwealth to maintain order un-
assisted They doubt the ability of
the government to raise in taxation
the money necessary to give the same
assurance of protection enjoyed un-
der the American flag. They fear
higher taxation and the results OF
higher taxation on a people whose
average daily wage is 221A cents
They are afraid of discriminatory and
whimsical legislation.
Tried to Teach visitors.
Their attitude toward the visiting
Congressman was not one Of un-
bounded admiration. They seemed
to feel that the ignorance Of the
Congressman who had not been here
before toward the Philippines and the
Far Eastern situation was practically
without limit. And though some OF
them worked long and faithfully at
the task of educating the Congress
men, the impression seemed to pre-
vail among them that a Congress
man was a lot more interested In
learning how an Igorot tied his G.
string than in the decline Of the
white race in the Far East, and with