Evening star., 1937-03-07
INDEPENDENCE ACT
|RKS PHILIPPINES.
Trade Conference With U. S.
May Help Correct Any
Inequalities.
BY JAMES G. WINGO.

created an absurd" situation, once
more brings 20 the forefront that
laws provisions which are objec-
tionable to the Filipinos, especially
those pertaining to the duties and
powers of the high commissioner.
The Philippine Legislature. in a
concurrent resolution, pointed out
with other things that ID the
provisions of the law affecting trade
relations between the United States
and the Philippines would seriously
lmperil the islands economic, social
and political institutions; t2) the i'm
migration clause was Objectionable
and offensive to the Filipino people,
and go the powers of the United
States high commissioner to the
Philippines are too indefinite.
The eventual United States Philip
pine trade and economic conference.
if held in the near future, may help
to correct any existing imperfection
or inequality. Congress already has
attempted to assuage the feelings OF
the Fllipinos on the immigra ton pro-
vision by enacting a Filipino re-
patriation act. This law provides
free transportation to Filipinos in
the United States back to their island
homes. with the agreement that they
cannot come back unless through
the Philippine immigration quota of
so.
Pleads for More Power.
Pleading for more power for the
Philippine government, President
Quezon, at a National Press Club
luncheon last Thursday. stated that
United States and Philippine respon-
sibilities must be defined
We should be allowed to plan
out what is best for u.s. he said. 1T
is not fair-not right-that whoever
happens to be temporarily supervising
the affairs of the Philippines should
prevail over the opinion of the whole
people
Since Congress first enacted a
Philippine independence bill in 1888,
observers have been pointing out that
the provision for a high commissioner
will sooner or later create a delicate
problem. Naturally, the Filipinos
fought against excessive lodgment of
power with him. On the other hand,
it was pointed out that United States
sovereignty. if it was to continue.
must be safeguarded.
Therefore, the minimum of powers
essential to protect United States inter-
ests were reserved for the President
of the United States and the high
commissioner, and sufficient powers
were granted to the Philippine Com
monwealth to maintain a completely
autonomous government.
Roosevelt's Views.
When he approved the constitution
of the Philippine Commonwealth in
1885, President Roosevelt said: Dur
ing the period of the commonwealth
there will remain with the Govern
ment of the United States authority
commensurate with and necessary for
or appropriate to the ultimate respon-
sibilities of sovereignty"
Owing to observations made by some
Washington correspondents that three
such strong personalities as High Com
missioner Paul v. McNutt. President
Quezon and Maj. Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur, military adviser to the Philip
pine President, would be able to find
room in the 1901 Philippine Islands
to accommodate themselves comfortably,
President Quezons statement at the
National Press Club luncheon became
significant.
Either we are to assume the respon-
sibility or we are not" said President
Quezon. :" II we are, we must be let
alone without interference from the
high commissioner, the Secretary of
War. the Secretary of State or even
the President of the United States"
Some Washington political observers
have stated that President Roosevelt's
main idea in appointing Gov. McNutt
high commissioner before President
Quezon's arrival here was to avoid any
impression that the Filipino leader had
any hand in the choice. OF course,
there is no law that requires consulta-
ton with the Philippine government
on appointments Of United States off,
cials in the Philippines.
Has Access to Records.
One important duty of the high COM
missioner relates to the payment of
Indebtedness and the fulfilment of con-
tracts by the Philippine Common
wealth. He has access to all records
Of the Philippine government. The
commonwealth constitution recognizes
the authority Of the high commissioner.
There Is no doubt that the Presi-
dent of the United States exercises
great authority over the Philippines.
He has the power to suspend opera
ton of any law, contract or executive
order of the commonwealth govern
ment, which, in his judgment, will
result in a failure of that government
to fulfill obligations or impair its re-
serves or violate international obliga-
tions of the United States. BY presi-
dental proclamation, the United
States may intervene for the preserva-
ton of the Philippine Common
wealth government and for the pro-
lection Of life, property and indi-
vidual liberty.