Evening star., 1938-02-27

tional Assembly the expenditure of $46,.
100000 Of the large coconut oil excise tax
Windfall from the United States Treasury
for public works, schools, roads, etc. This
huge expenditure of money coming from
the United States as a result of the Philip
pines being under American sovereignty
will tend to spread the benefits derived
from United States Philippine free trade
InaSmuch as those advocating immediate
independence have had little share of these
benefits, the Quezon program to equalize
their distribution does not fit in with his
early independence proposal
Recent Quezon Views.
Regarded as the latest word on Philip
pine independence from President Quezon
is recent communique directed to Resi-
dent Commissioner Quintin Paredes giving
his official views on an immediate inde-
pendence resolution introduced in Con-
gress by Representative Thomas O'Malley
OF Wisconsin. Observers consider this
Quezon communique as revealing declar-
alton. indicating his stand against inde-
pendence before the essential economic
readjustment is achieved. which is proc
ess in which time, long time, is an alb.
solute necessity
"O'Malleys proposed resolution repre-
sents an attitude regarding American
Philippine relationship that is not new nor
very 1are," declared the Quezon COM
munique. fortunately for the good name
OF America and the welfare OF the Fill
plno people such an attitude does not
represent and never has represented the
policy Of either the executive department
Of the United States Government or the
American Congress =.
THE economic policy of America af-
fecting the Philippines, which she promul-
gated upon her own initiative and re-
sponsibility, has created an economic situ-
alton here that makes imperative the
granting Of sufficient time for the eco
nomlc readjustment of this country before
the present trade relations are completely
terminated, unless the granting of inde-
pendence is to be made with utter disre-
gard of the economic and financial conse-
quences with all its implications to the
Philippines. The foregoing is our view of
American-Filipino relations as established
and avoWed by acts of the American Con-
gress and of the executive department of
the American Government"
Anticipating a report unfayorable to
immediate Philippine independence, Repre-
sentative O'Nalley, supported by several
other Congressman, introduced a House
resolution to provide for the immediate and
complete independence of the Philippines.
His resolution was promptly Endorsed by
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Bishop Gregorio
Aglipay, the Popular Front and many
anti-Quezon groups in the islands.
Senator Ernest w. Gibson of Vermont
introduced bill to repeal the export taxes
on Philippine products sent to the United
States provided in the Independence Act.
The first bill would be disastrous to the
Philippine economic structure, according
to qualified observers, while the second is
violently opposed by the United States
interests which railroaded through Con-
gress the first Philippine independence bill
in 1888. Neither has much chance of be-
ing considered by Congress in this session.
PiecemeaI legislation.
A non-economic but important United
States-Philippine matter which Commits
sioner McNutt is expected to take up
with administration officials is piecemeal
legislation discriminatory to Filipinos. Sew
eral times in the past year Commissioner
McNutt sent protests from Manila against
such anti-Filipino measures.
Philippine Resident Commissioner Pa
redes has spent much of his two years in
Washington protesting against Filipino
determinations all over the country but
especially in the Federal Government it.
self. Most recent of these measures is
the joker clause just uncovered in the
Treasury-Post Office appropriation bill.
passed by the House and approved by the
Senate Appropriations Committee. Origin
OF this provision, which would fire all
Filipinos from their jobs in the two de-
partments next July l, has been attributed
to Congressman from California, the State
which carries in its books the largest
number Of anti-Fflipino measures
Inasmuch as Federal Government jobs
have been by long and just tradition open
to all those who owe allegience to the
United States, and as the Filipinos are to
be classified as American nationals until
independence is finally granted, the Joker
has created furor among the few hundred
Filipinos employed, not only in the
Treasury and the Post ONCE departments,
but also in other branches of the Govern
merit who fear that they may be the
next ones to be fired from the jobs which
they have acquired through proper civil
service examinations. Civil service Of
flcials have protested against Filipino dis
elimination in this manner.
Alien Measure.
Another measure against which Com
missioner Paredes has protested recently
is certain provision of the Merchant
Marine Act of 1896, which classifies Fill
pinos as aliens and precludes them from
serving in subsidized United States cargo
vessels. In passenger vessels Filipinos can
be included in the 20 per cent quota for
aliens, but they have found the alien
competition too stiff for them.
Commissioner Paredes has been bonn
harding other members Of Congress with
letters OF protest. He always points out
the fact that the Flipinos owe 100 per
cent allegiance to the American nag and
are subject to call to arms in defense of
that flag. He points out also that In the
Philippines United States citizens and
corporations are entitled to rights and
privileges equal to those of Commonwealth
citizans and corporot;ox.