Evening star., 1939-03-12
BY Sudduth

gram is to repel an invading force before
landing can be effected. Efforts have
been made, therefore. to augment the
land forces by naval units and an air
corps. An of1shore patrol, destined to
harass the enemys transports, 10 in the
making. This mosquito fleet" will con-
sist of some so torpedo motor boats,
operating at speed of As knots. The
boats, which represent improved models
OF British and Italian vessels on duty
In the Mediterranean, are being con-
structed in England. At the miniature
naval academy, which is now being Or
ganized in Manila, Filipino graduates CT
the American Naval Academy at Ar
napolis will train Filipino naval officer
The Air Force, whose construction
supervised by Capt Mark K Lewis, jr
consists of only IS planes at present;
Orders for l8 additional planes have
been placed. The number of pilots, now
36, will be increased to about 100 by
1916. A flying school has been estab-
lished at Fabian Field, Camp Murphy.
Out of several hundred applicants, fewer
than dozen are actually admitted for
training every year. American experts
say that Filipinos have a natural gift
for flying which may make Filipino avia-
tors superior to those of other Asiatic
nations.
100 New Officers a Year.
Aside from these special categories,
the Philippine Military Academy at
Baguio is quietly turning out profess
sional officers at the rate Of nearly 100
every year. The academy, which proudly
calls itself the West Point of the Philip
pines" boasts high military and aca
demic standards and is well equippe;
to provide steady supply Of leader
ship for the nucleur professional arm!
The number of reserve officers in charg
of the growing citizens army is augmen
ed by carefully selected "trainees' wiz
appear fit for a commission.
In order to evaluate the morale OF
the Philippine army, one will have to
consider the fact that Gen. Macarthur
had to start from scratch when he Gre
ated it three years ago. Various handi-
caps had to be overcome. While Fill
pnos have been known to be gooG
fighters. the idea of universal military
service was new to them. The recruiting.
carried out regardless of the candidate
social standing or occupation, met with
sporadic resentment at first. This senti-
ment has been brushed aside by an edu-
cational campaign.
The public at large, and the youth of
the country in particular, have become
aware of the necessities of national de-
fense. Semi-military training schools
and universities prepare the individual
Filipino boy for his task.
Nearly four centuries of colonial ad-
ministration, naturally, has weaned the
Filipino from obeying the Filipino. He
was used to taking orders from white
men. first Spaniards and later Amer
leans. Hence, it was difficult to develop
the spirit of discipline in an army ofi-
cered by Filipinos. inasmuch as most
officers are farmers sons. just as are
the enlisted men. This handicap has
been largely overcome by policy Of
dSSlSIllIlk OlllCcIo W POoltAOlAS Adl A1oAA
their places of birth. Adult classes in
English, the official language of the
army, and other educational courses
finally have done away with language
difficulties and illiteracy. Vocational
training. especially in handicrafts and
agriculture, will make the individual
units of the army self-sufficient in case
of a blockade.
Imbued With High Morale.
Thus, the rapidly growing citizens
army of the Philippines is imbued with
a high morale The national spirit OF
the Filipino people. combined with the
Youthful enthusiasm of its army, has
introduced a new element into the Far
Eastern scene. The work done within
the last three years presents a solid
basis for the creation of a nation in
arms The commonwealth government.
in appreciation of Gen. MacArthurs
services, has given him the rank of
field marshal.
The difficulties yet to be faced how
ever, are by no means insignificant.
There is, for one thing, the limited bud
get of the commonwealth, which allows
only some $4,000, 900 annually for de-
fense. There is, moreover, the enormous
coast line of the archipelago, which de-
mands on extra measure Of vigilance
and preparedness. There is, finally, the
prospect that the Philippine Army will
have to be ready to stand on its own
feet within the short period Of seven
years.
1t is safe to say that, in consideration
Of these difficulties, vast number of
Filipinos would welcome the retention Of
American naval bases in the islands as
an additional safety factor. The recent
Japanese occupation of Hainan Island,
which is considered potential threat to
the security Of the Philippines, has given
new vigor to the argument. However, as
long as the broader problem of the post
ponement Of complete independence is
unofficially discussed here, the question
Of naval bases Is considered premature.
(copyrisht. 1s3e)