Evening star., 1936-01-14
j. S. KEEPSFA|TH
WITH F|LIP|NOS
Integrity Motivating Influ.
ence Behind independence,
Says Dern.

Says Uern.
American integrity was the motivat.
ing influence behind the granting OF
independence to the Philippine Islands,
Secretary of War Dern declared last
night in an address on the National
Radio Forum, sponsored jointly by
the National Broadcasting Co. and
The washington Evening Star.
"The question is sometimes asked"
the Secretary said, "'Why does the
United States give up so valuable q
territorial possession as the Philippine
Islands?' The answer is that the
value Of the islands to the United
States does not enter into the calcula-
ton. We give them up because we
promised them their independence and
because Of the American conception Of
the fundamental right Of peoples to
govern themselves"
Traces Island History.
Secretary Dern traced the history
OF the Philippines from their "discov-
cry" by Magellan through their revolt
against Spain, their domination by
the United States and their develop
ment through recent years, climaxed
by their rise to status Of virtual in
dependence during recent months.
Explaining that the islands must 60
through 10-year transition period,
the Secretary continued:
Those who have been in a position
to observe closely the part the Fill
pinos have played in the development
Of their civil government have nothing
but admiration for them, and have no
misgivings about their fitness for self
government and independence. see
no reason why the Commonwealth
should not be success, and why COM
plete independence should not be
achieved on schedule time"
Full Text Of Address.
The text of Secretary Dern's ad-
dress follows:
Philippine independence is vital
subject in the Philippines. Every Fill
pino is interested in it and knows
about it. Every American ought to be
interested in it. too, and ought to know
about 1t, for it involves our honor in
keeping our promises.
The Philippine Islands are the only
Christian country in the Orient. and
are about to become the only true re-
public in the Far East. Philippine de-
velopment has been profoundly in
fluenced by two contacts with the
Western world.
In 1921, or more than four CEN
turies ago, the first man who ever
sailed around the globe, Ferdinand
Magellan, by chance brought Span
tsh squadron to the Philippines. Sail
ing across the Atlantic, around South
America, which Columbus had dis
covered only few years before;
through the straits which now bear his
name, he struck boldly out across the
vast unknown western ocean, which he
Guam, now an American island, and
then discovered the Philippine Archi-
pelago. He came to the Island Of
Cebu, with the Bible in one hand and
the sword in the other. for he was not
only an intrepid explorer and colon
izer, but also Jealous missionary. He
claimed the country for Spain and
within a few days he had baptized the
King and most Of the population of
Cebu. A little group on the small
Island of Mactan, who had never
heard Of the great King Of Spain, and
who objected to having Christianity
thrust upon them, gave battle, and
Magellan was killed near the spot
where his monument now stands.
Legaspi Conquers Islands.
Magellan's exploits caused other
Spanish expeditions to be sent from
Mexico, for the Philippine Islands
were colonized and governed through
the viceroy of Mexico until Mexico
threw OF the Spanish yoke and be-
came an independent nation early in
the nineteenth century. Forty-three
years before the first permanent Eng
lish settlement in the United States,
1T jamestown. Va, Legaspi sailed from
Mexico and finally conquered the is
lands. He named them for the prince
who became Spain'S great King,
Philip II. Gradually Spanish civiliza-
ton and culture were established
among the natives. This was the first
contact of the Philippine Islands with
Western civilization, and it lasted
more than 800 years.
The Spaniards gave the FilipinoS 8
religious ideal and the beginnings Of
education and increased knowledge. as
well as better buildings and roads,
something like uniform laws, and the
outline Of q co-ordinated political
system. Nevertheless, the Filipinos
were never contented under Spanish
rule. During the three centuries be-
tween 1873 and 1872 it is estimated
that there were more than a hundred
revolts, large and small.
On June 10, 1861, was born the great
Filipino patriot, Jose Rizal, whose
monument now stands in the plaza of
practically every considerable town In
the islands. He is revered as the ma
tion hero and martyr who brought
about the downfall Of Spanish mis-
rule. He is an outstanding example Of
that small, select group of men in
human history who have profoundly
Influenced the destiny of their people
ana whose names symbolic their ma
tional aims and aspirations.
Through his novels and others writ
ings, Rizal aroused the Filipinos to q
keen sense Of their wrongs and pas
sionate longing for relief. He himself
never counseled a violent revolution,
but hoped to bring about reforms by
peaceful means under the Spanish flag.
Great Patriot Is Executed.
Since Rizal would not lead them to
revolt, other leaders did so, and on
August 26, 1896, the Philippine revolu-
ton against Spain began. Rizal was
arrested, unjustly accused of having
tucited the revolution, and on De-
cember 80, 1896, was executed.
The revolution gained force and soon
Q new leader came to the front. He
was youth Of 27 years, only lately