The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-02

any time III the 4O years the the archipelago in the Pacific
 Although scheduled to become an Independent republic on July 4, l946, under terms of the Tydings- McDuffie Act, there is increasing sentiment in the high places of a realistic re-examination which would have as its goal some sort of permanent relationship between the United States and the Philippines.
 Leaders of government and busi- ness candidly admit an independent Philippines would face great ob- btacles in the struggle to maintain political and economic freedom in the present era.
 Despite the visible trend among the upper classes away from com plete independence. the masses un- doubtedly still favor completely independent Philippines. Indepen- dence has been preached to them by their leaders for half century and no recognized leader has as yet-set out to convert them to an- other doctrine.
 QuezSa's Mind Not Closed
 There has been some talk in re- cent months of seeking a perpetu- ation of the present Common wealth government. President Man uel L. Quezon, unchallenged leader of the 16,000000 Filipinos, has told friends dominion status under the United States would be acceptable, provided 1t granted an acceptable degree of local autonomy for the islands.
 The realistic re-eZamination" proposal was first made by U. S. High Commissioner Paul V. Mc- Mutt. It was endorsed by President Quezon.
 McNutt favors United States re- tention of it's second largest Asi- atic market. Instead of creating resentment, McNutt's realistic re- examination" phrase today has become a catchWord And the for mer Indiana governors popularity with Filipinos and Americans alike has scared He is often described by public speakers as the greatest American official ever sent to the Philippines.
 Market Causes Worry
 Japanese military activities in ths past year, plus growing real ization of the economic shock the islands would suffer in their prod ucts were shut off from the duty free American market probably have been the two major factors in todays attitude toward the serious ness of complete independence.
 .fapan's invasio,1 or China has produced a reSounding echo. The Filipino battle cry of freedom which Washington has heard since tho turn of the century--has dim inished perceptibly as many paused to reflect "it could happen to us"
 Gen. Douglas MacArthur, former chief of staff, continues his To- year-program of building Filipino army to defend an independent Philippines. He retired from the U. 3. army last December. but con- tinaics as military advisor to Pres idcnt Quezon Military training is given to 10000 youths each year under plan to develop 100000 trained reserves in 10 years.
 The army thus far is equipped only with rifles, machine guns and a few light field pieces. It has no coast artillery or anti-aircraft guns. There is no Philippine navy or coast guard and the army's air corps pos sesses fewer than dozen light training planes. The appropriation for military defense is $8,000, 900 an nually.
 Doubt as to Defenses
 Although MacArthur, whom the Commonwealth president has made a field marshal of the Philippine army, hopes to make it costly venture for a foreign army to land in the Philippines, there are promi- nent Filipinos who doubt the 7,000 islands could be defended. They cite the recent incident of the phantom fleet" Of vessels reported seen In the Gulf of Davao. officials in Davao, one Of the important provinces of the archipelago, had no means of Investigating the mys- tery fleet.
 President Quezon doubts the val lie of neutrality treaty for an in- dependent Philippines.
 History has demonstrated that only strong nations able and will ing to use force may profit by in- ternational commitments" he told recent interviewer.
 A Filipino newspaper publisher summarized the question of Phil lppine Independence this way:
 The vast natural resources of the island constitute the biggest handicap to an independent Phil ippines. You may say. we are too rich to be independent"
 Interestingly, the Philippines are rich in the raw materials greatly prized by Japan gold, copper, chromite, iron ore, hemp, tobacco, lumber etc.
 All of the iron ore, chromitc and copper mined in the Philippines at present g snld fo Ianan