Evening star., 1936-01-15
Future of the Philippines.


Visitors to the Philippines to partici-
pate in the Inauguration of President
Quezon, whether congressman, news
paper men or unclassified Americans, re-
port on returning the belief that when
ever the United States moves out OF
dominancy in the Philippines Japan will
move in, at first by economic penetra-
ton, a process already begun and well
under way, and in the end politically.
The representative of The Star at the
inauguration, Mr.. Ben McKelway, news
editor, has already reported in series
of interesting articles written from the
Philippines and printed recently in The
Star. He gives thoughtful and colorful
picture of the Filipino achievements, as
pirations, hopes and fears, with due
recognition of the japanese menace.
In the course of his researches Mr.. Nc
Kelway few by plane to the Japanese
village of Davao, in Southeastern Min
danao, the large fertile island next in
size to Luzon in the archipelago, inhab-
tied by Mahometan Moros, who are the
traditional enemies of the Malay Fill
pinos of Luzon.
MIR. McKelway reported that the
Japanese, numbering from $4,000 to $4,000
in the municipality are in virtual con-
troll of Davao Village and through their
large hemp and coconut plantations and
lumber holdings in effect dominate Davao
Province. The Japanese investment in
Davao is estimated at from $25000,000
to $50 5000.
OF the 100000 acres in the province
under control of the japanese, 72,0oO
acres are officially declared to be illegally
held in violation of the Philippine land
laws. Last Autumn the Philippine gov
eminent decided to cancel these unlawful
leases and to evict about 1000 Japanese
occupying land under them. The Fill
pino constabulary at Davao, number
ing so, was ordered to evict. The 1000
Japanese refused to be evicted and de-
clared they would die before surrendering
their lands. They have not been evicted.
There have been occasional killings of
Davao japanese by natives who stab with
a spear and disappear in the wilderness.
Incidents like these in Manchuria and
elsewhere have been made the basis of
Japanese demands of apology, punish
ment and reparation, and to justify on
failure to secure satisfaction seizure Of
territory and absorption by Japan.
The leader of the Sakadalista revolu-
tionaries in Luzon itself has just re-
turned from Japan, where he went to
get sympathy and assistance.
The Associated Press reported on
Christmas day from Manila that the
"Mohammedan Students Association OF
Mindanao and Sulu" had petitioned Pres
tdent Quezon that these islands be made
autonomous The Associated Press COM
mentary on this petition said: "Repercus-
sions of the autonomy movement which
recently swept North China provinces
were felt in the Philippines today" The
autonomy movements in North China
are, it is believed, inspired and aided by
Japan and are viewed as the forerunners
of seizure and absorption of additional
sections of China by Japan. Japan has
just openly refused to join with the
United States and other great powers in
guaranteeing to respect and protect Phil
ippine independence. Japan explains that
she will not Slur and humiliate the flu
ture Philippine government by even
promising, as she did in respect to China,
to guarantee the political independence
and territorial integrity of the Philip
pines.
Thoughtful and apprehensive Fill
pinos are asking themselves If the Min
danao petition for autonomy responds in
the slightest degree, as suggested in the
Associated Press dispatch, to the same
Japanese pressure as in North China;
and if the killings of Davao Japanese
by natives will ever become incidents
held to justify Gas in North China) in
tervention by japanese soldiers and seiz-
ure of more Mindanao land. And they
are also wondering whether, If these
incidents are not utilized in this manner
while the United States Is still in control
Of Philippine foreign relations, the jap
anese will exercise similar self~restraint
when Uncle Sam has washed his hands
OF responsibility in the matter and when
the government to be dealt with is that
of the Filipinos of Luzon or of an auton-
omous government of Mindanao.
Another conclusion which many Phil
lppine visitors and students of the islands
history have reached is that postpone
ment of even nominal independence of
the Philippines for over 80 years has
been q distinct and great benefit and
blessing to the Filipinos, whatever the
effect that maintenance Of this period OF
tutelage may have had, on the whole, on
the people of the United States.
The Star has on three occasions sent
representatives to the Philippines, the
editor In 1Sss-1900 and in 1925, and Mr..
McKelway in 1895.
Concerning the time, If ever. for fun
snd safe Philippines independence and
sor the ending Of the islands period Of