The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-16
F|LIP|NOS VIEW
QUEzON DRAFT
AsCERTAINTY
Trained Leaders Lacking,
With None Likely to
Develop
BY ROBERT r. MARTIN
United Press STAR Correspondent

DIX AVDEUA Es MAM1AN
UNITED Press star Correspondent
Manila, Aug. MISREPRESENTATION
Manuel L. Quezon seems destined to
be. the next chief executive Of the
Philippine Commonwealth carried
forward on the shoulders of an en-
thusiastic bloc Of Nacionalista party
supporters and slightly bewildered
Filipino electorate. who look up to
no other leader than the man in
Malacanall."
Carte-blanche to assume the pres
idential burdens in 1941 after his
first six-year-term expired was Of
fered when Filipino, by an over
whelming majority, voted a consti-
tutional amendment to reduce the
term Of the chief executive from six
to four years and permit successive
reelection.
President Quezon consistently has
reiterated his desire to retire, and
possibly re-emerge as president
again in 1916 when the Common
wealth sewers its last ties with the
United States.
II am not a candidate" has been
his favorite theme IN speeches-but
political observers have noted that
Quezon has at no time said he would
not run 'if the people and the par
ty" desire his reelection.
Party Draft Likely.
There is no doubt that Quezon
could and would be reelected if
he throws his hat into the ring
but that hat must be propelled by
others than Quezon himself. From
all indications, the Nacionalista
party is prepared to furnish the
propelling force, by and with the
consent Of the majority Of the Fill
Pine voters.
The two decisive factors in the
present political situation are the
growing fear Of Filipino leaders that
the international situation demands
an experienced hand at the helm
during the next four years-prepar-
atory years to Filipino independence
and the fact that President Quezon
is really If not in name the govern
ment Of the Commonwealth.
Most Filipino leaders believe that
Quezon is the only public leader
Z now who can do one of two things:
Reach an agreement with the Unit
ed States whereby American help
of one type or another would be
available in event the Philippines
after independence is granted should
be attacked by a third power; or
reach non-aggression agreements
including economic and political
pacts with these nations which not
inconceivably eye the Philippines
avariciously. in order to forestall
possible aggression.
Yields Enormous Power.
The second point. that President
Quezon Is In fact If not name the
government Of the Commonwealth
might be subject Of debate But
political observers point out that
what the President wants he gen.
orally gets, and without too much
trouble. Through his control Of the
Nacionalista party, which directly
controls the assembly, Quezon Yields
enormous power in legislative af-
fairs. He has almost dictatorial
control over the sub-administrative
groups in the Philippines, such as
provincial governments and city
councils.
With the wide range Of powers
granted him IN the constitution and
the popular appeal that he holds in
the eyes OF the Filipino people, this
control over the actual government
makes him by far the greatest single
political force in the Commonwealth
today.
Opposition leaders and they
are definitely in a mipority-have
charged him with dictatorial am
billions or inclinations. More char
liable observers are Of the opinion
that he has gradually so concen-
trated executive and legislative pow
ers In his own hands, and welded
this power to such effect, that other
Filipino politicians are dazed by the
possibility they might have to strike
out on their own without his adj
mittedly shrewd political counsel
and advice.
Filipinos Like STRONG Man."
The Filipinos have a strong trace
of the Latin tendency to 'look up
to a strong man." probably a
throw-back to their Spanish heri-
tage. The people as whole have
little II any realistic conception OF
the workings Of democracy. The
Commonwealth resembles in this
case Germany Of the Weimar Re-
public-lacking trained leaders to
serve under democratic processes,
and with the people lacking the
democratic traditions and feelings
which are built up In the course OF
decades, not years.
Because Of this lack of trained
leaders, President Quezon is be-
lieved by many observers to have
been forced to consolidate power In
his own hands-willingly or not is
beside the point-and the result Is
that other Filipino leaders Of high
political caliber are noticeably lack
ing.
The recent constitutional amend
ments plebiscite, according to politi-
cal quarters, showed the Filipino de-
sire to have President Quezon re-
elected. The amendment dealing
with reelection won more votes and
less opposition than the proposal Of
a bicameral legislature despite the
fact that Quezon himself led the
fight for revival Of the senate.