Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
Sentiment Arises
To Delay Philippines
independence !.
Danger Of Aggression
Is Causing Change
In islanders Views
By JAMES G. WINGO.

Inc commonwealth OF tIlc FNl1Q"
pines enters its fifth year Wednes-
day, with independence a livelier ma
tional issue than ever
Only last week President Manuel
Quezon boosted the stock of the anti
independence movement by suggest
ing that President Roosevelt call an
international conference for the pur-
pose Of neutralizing the Philippines.
He accompanied the proposal with
the fortnight declaration that eur
rent world events do not assure the
Philippines that even though we
should arm every male citizen we
will not become victims of agrees
sion"
President Quezon is on record as
having no faith in naturalization
treaties He said so when he visited
Washington in 1887. He then fully
relied upon the little army Gen.
Douglas Macarthur was building for
the Philippines. Political realist that
he is, he has seen the utter in
efficacy of paper guarantees in many
parts Of the world.
Mr.. Quezon's trial balloon is trans
parent. The suggestion for Philip
pine naturalization is President
Quezon's way of calling on the
American people and Government
to re-eXamine the wisdom of sep
arating the islands from the United
States.
Ouezon Wants to Retire.
Under an act of Congress the
Commonwealth government was
established in 1885 to prepare the
Philippines for an independent ex-
istence. The Philippine people
elected Mr.. QueZon, who had led
them in an extensive campaign for
independence, as their first Presi-
dent. He has made such a success
of his administration that his peo-
pie want him to continue to serve as
President, but Mr.. Quezon has made
1t clear that under no circumstances
would he run for Office in 1941, when
his six-year term ends.
President Quezon has proved the
capability of the Filipinos to run
an autonomous government. How
ever, even he has indicated on sew
eral occasions his realization of the
fact that mere internal efficiency
and progress constitutes no guaran-
tee against external aggression. He
repeatedly was very much shocked
by the utter helplessness of efficient,
progressive Czecho-S lovakia against
aggressive Germany.
Apparently President Quezon is
trying to find way out of the in
dependence dilemma. It is likely
that before 1916 President Quezon
will join the ranks of those now ad-
vocating a change in the independ-
ence schedule. Without losing face,
the President could support a meas
ure postponing independence indefi-
nitely, but keeping it open as a
noble goal for Filipinos to attain
when world conditions are more
favorable.
Pro-American Sentiment.
During the Commonwealth S fourth
year there were developments which
augur the trend of future events in
the Philippines. Wars in Asia and
Europe steadily drove the Filipinos
away from their 40-year desire to be
politically separated from the United
States. Consequently. never before
in the history of the islands is pro-
American sentiment so strong and
widespread as it is today.
The sentiment to remain under
American protection piled up so rap
idly in the last II months that some
major national politicos came out
publicly and decidedly against in
dependence. Last month several in
f1uential members of the National
Assembly found it politically safe to
advocate remaining under the Amer
lean flag as commonwealth or a
dominion. Some years ago no poll
tician would be so reckless of his
career as to point out the dangers
Of independence.
A large group of large landowners,
big businessmen, labor leaders and
educators called on President Quezon
last summer to tell him of their plan
to form an organization to promote
a dominion form of government
under the United States. President
Quezon listened attentively and as
sured his visitors that their opinion
would be respected.
This pro-Amerfcan group of sub
stantial and intelligent Filipinos. un-
der the leadership of Salvador Ara
meta, a lawyer, believes that the
time has come for a permanent
United States-Philippine anschluss
and that it may be too late for the
United States to change its policy
When independence comes around in
1916. There is strong fear that
by that time Japan might consider
the Philippines within its sphere of
influence.
Office Streamlined.
Frlendller relations and greater
cooperation with the United States
were promoted in Washington by
Joaquin M. Elizalde, a Manila
business executive, in his first wear
as the Philippine resident commits
sioner
Mr.. Elizalde straightway stream
lined the office of Philippine resi-
dent commissioner in order to be
able to cope with its ever-growinp
scope of duties and responsibilities
Together with Assistant Secretary
OF State (now high commissioner
Sayre and Commonwealth Vice
President Sergio Osmena. Commits
sioner Elizalde led the successful
campaign in the last regular ses-
sion of Congress to improve the eco
nomic provisions of the Philippine
Independence Act.
Next month the Philippine elec-
torate will vote on far-reachine
amendments to the four-year-old
commonwealth constitution pro-
posed by the National Assembly
The people will ha oeLad to rot,f,,