The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-01-13

After the invocation by the Archbishop of Cebu the Most Reverened Gabriel M. Reyes Governor General Murphy introduced Secretary of War George H. Dern who asked the Governor General to read the proclamation of the President of the United States announcing the result of the elections under the provisions of the Tydings- -McDuffie Act. This formality completed Manuel Quezon, noted Filipino leader, took the oath of office as President and Sergio Osmena, former political rival of Quezons, took the oath Vice-President Then Secretary of War Dern, special representative of President Roosevelt, proclaimed the Commonwealth Gov operative ready to proceed to the business of governing an insuar empire a thousand miles long inhabited by over thirteen million people It was a solemn occasion, and while the cheering loud and continuous, there was no denying the gravity of the ceremony.
 For with independence long the dream of politics came the sense of realization of the tremendous responsibilities that the of the govern ment entails. Discussing it afterwards with Presi- dent Quezon and Vice President Osmena couldn't escape the feeling that they knew they had job on their hands
 President Quezon is a most keable person. volatile and active and energetic, long a leader among the Philippine people He is a gregarious sort, more like Jimmy Walker of New York than anyone in public life With it all he has as good command of the problems of the Philippines, econ omic, political and social anyone in the islands Mrs. Hurja and I were privileged to be dinner guests at his home this evening, the night of the inaugural, at which Secretary Dern and Mrs. Dern were the honor guests We found him gracious host sparkling and vivacious The Philippine Com monwealth should rise to heights and its people well under his distinguished leadership. Manila has been pointing to this day for many months, and it's big relief at least to the mem bers of the United States Congressional delegation to have the event definitely in the past To strangers the sight of hundreds of fierce looking tribesmen, wearing red fezzes and carrying long spears, didn't have an entirely peaceful appearance although they were just loyal to the government and it's officials the residents of polish ed and scntllating Manila.
 Our party reached Manila in ample time to enjoy several days of sightseeing before the inaugural ceremonies got under way Of course ce-President Garner and Speaker Byrns were the central attrac tons, and widely feted at dinners, receptions and dances. Manila is interesting city, combin- ing the very old and very modern Within the citys limits is the old ancient walled city built by the Spanairds around about 1890. said to be one of the finest examples of medieval walled cities in the world. Within these walls many famous churches and cathedrals of Spanish days The University of Santo Tomas which was founded in 1911 and has been continuously in operation since that time is here-the oldest university under the American flag
 The Philippines have had a checkered history since their original discovery in 1521 by Magellan first to crcumnavgate the world. The first Spanish settlement came in 1865, and the slow emergence of the Filipino people under absentee treatment of Spanish monarchists not surprising They than serfs under the dominion of ruthless colonial policy. It not until about 1892 that the first real revolutionary movement ti- punan. Then in 1896 the execution by the Spanish of Jose Rizal, Filipino patriot who had sought to raise the standing of the native Fili- pnos to equality with the Spanish born A year later, Aguinaldo issued proclamation of independ- ence, and with the timely assistance of the United States and the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay by Admiral Dewey, the islands on the way to independent status. Agunaldo didn't like the American plans, and for three years our troops were busy running him down and quelling the instruction. Our civil government was established in 1902 with William Howard Taft as the first Governor General of the islands. Since then under liberal American policy the Philip pines have been benefciares of increased powers of lf-government until in 1884 the Tydings McDuffie bill re-draft of the Hawes- Cutting bil was pass ed, giving the Philippine people their freedom provided they wanted it. The matter was put to popular vote, and the rest has been more or less | a per1unctOry proceeding, eliminating today the inaugural of the Commonwealth Government.
 Old Generla Agunaldo, frebrand of the late nineties, is still alive living in the outskirts of Manila, and more less against the present ad- ministration He wants entire liberty for the islands now without the ten-year trial period provided by existing law. The bulk of Filipinos however, are not unmindful nor unappreciative of the benefits that the islands have derived under the liberal American rule.
 The celebration is over to all practical pur- poses. Our party, consisting of seventeen Senators 27 Congressmen and group of editors and publicists, constitutes probably high a ranking set of public officials ever to leave the United States in a group We have half way across the world to witness the start of govern ment. The American spirit has been exemplified in large American unselfishness has again ! heen to he RIlt wha Of he