Evening star., 1936-02-13
PHILIPPINE ENVOY
FINDS TASK HARD
America Must Be Convinced
of Economic Need, Says
ParedeS.

Quintin Paredes, new Philippine
resident commissioner who comes to
Washington as the first envoy Of the
three -month-old Commonwealth, ad-
nnits that he feels nervous over his
Job.
~The Filipino people look upon my
ONCE in Washington as a most i'm
portant post" he says. "They ex-
pect me to accomplish much. I
was reluctant to accept this position,
for I knew that it is a difficult Job
to interest the American people in
our plight when they are very mucn
occupied with their own affairs"
The suave, short, swarthy states
man from the Philippines was a
picture of Self-conf1dence itself, how
ever, when interviewed yesterday
shortly after his arrival. Looking
much younger than his So years, he
dressed in a double-breasted brown
suit. In his country he is consid-
cred one of the IL best-dressed men.
The first act of the new resident COM
missioner from the Philippines after
his arrival here was to visit a haber-
dashery to order some new suits.
Changes in Law Desired.
1--WE need changes in the economic
provisions of the McDuffle- -Tydings
act" Mr.. Paredes said. THE sooner
we get those changes the better for
both the Philippines and the United
States.
THE economic provisions will wreck
our economic structure. Unless we can
find new outlets for our products we
will have grave difficulties. The pro-
visions of the McDufie Tydings law
may breed discomfort and unrest and
perhaps disorder in the islands. The
United States can not shift the re-
sponsibility she took upon herself when
she assumed control of the Philippines
by Just turning us loose and leaving
us to our fate.
Free trade was forced upon us, and
now the United States is about to keep
us out of the American market. But
the United States is pledged to help
lis out, President Roosevelt said that
such imperfections and inequalities as
NAV be found later in the independence
act will be corrected. 1 am going to
work for changes in the economic pro-
visions of the law"
Paredes plans to bring under the
notice of Congress and the American
people the probability that trade re-
strictions would eventually result IN
the loss of the Philippine market by
this country.
1--WE cannot very well buy American
products if we cannot sell the United
States ours" he explained. This
country is at present our only market
AS our country develops through a
liberal treatment of our products IN
the United States market, it is only
fair to assume that American posi-
bilities in our market will also in
crease"
Preferring not to say anything con-
cerning Japan, Mr.. Paredes declared
that the new commonwealth has had
a good start. The government has
sufficient surplus to pay regular ex-
penses for at least one year. The
budget is balanced.
Paredes said that President Quezon
did not give him any definite instruc-
tions. He gave me carte blanche, y
Paroles stated. He added, jokingly,
that he expected that as soon as
Quezon learned his whereabouts he
would lombard him with cablegrams.
Lone Representative.
The new Resident Commissioner
will be the lone representative of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines in
Congress. He will have a seat in
the House with the privilege of par
ticipating in debate, but may not
vote. His salary and expenses are
paid by the Commonwealth govern
ment. Like Congressman, he gets a
salary of $4,000 year. However,
his allowances are much higher than
those of a Senator. He gets $1,000
for representation expenses" $500
for rent of his residence, $4,000 for
transportation expense between Ma
Mia and Washington, $500 for
travelling expenses within the United
States, $4,000 for salaries of secre-
tarial and clerical help and $500 for
stationery, postage and telegraph serv-
ice.
On presentation to the President
of the United States of his creden-
tials Paredes will be entitled to off,
cial recognition by all Federal de-
partmentS.
Paredes' wife, five daughters and
four sons we're left in Manila. One
son, Quentin Paredes, jr., is with him
and will be secretary to the Resident
Commissioner.