Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-12
Neglected Responsibility


DREsIDENT MANUEL QUEzoN addressed a recent
Philippine Islands saying
The defense of country remains primarily the
responsibility of the United States
He might we'll have added that it is a sadly NEG
LECTED responsibility.
The Philippines not mpregnably fortified they
should be.
They are not strongly equipped as base for aerial
operations
They are not even fully developed a naval base
In fact, the Philippines could hardly be defended by
the United States with much than by the
native forces of the islands themselves which, Pres
dent Quezon reports wholly inadequate for successful
resistance to invasion and conquest by any major power
President Quezon's is, of course for the
safety of the Philippine Islands and the freedom of their
people.
The United States has a much broader concern
The safety of America itself is deeply involved in the
desperately and perhaps fatally weak condition of the
Philippine Islands.
And in this respect the situation confronts the United
States not only with sadly neglected responsibility but
stupidity neglected OPPORTUNITY.
IF THE Philippines had been fortified by the United
States in the Great Britain has fortified Singa
pore in the manner the American Territory of
Hawaii has been fortified there would be vastly differ
ent and much less menacing situation in the far Pacific
than contemplate.
The Dutch East Indies would be virtually fenced off
from their present dangers.
Even French Indo-China would be more at
While these regions not possessions and
should be responsibility the American government
has openly expressed for them and has almost
openly assumed responsibility for them
And the American government would be in a much
stronger position to assert such and responsible
ties the adjacent Philippine Islands had been fore
sightedly and fully fortified
But apart from these considerations the security of
the United States would be soundly fixed if fortified
tons naval and Philippine Islands
sufficient to discourage attack.
They present a constant INVITATION to attack in
their present weakness
And the United States persists its present nten-
ton relnquish all title and control the Philippines
in 1916, they will be almost inevitable prey to acqus
tive and aggressive powers.
But let it not be supposed that our military RESPONSE
bilty for the Philippines will end with their relinqush
ment Their invasion and acquisition NOW by any other
power would certainly for the United States
Who supposes similar invasion and acquisition after 1916
would not certainly mean war for the United States?
CHOULD the United States therefore not repair its
- neglected responsibilities and opportunities in the
Philippines speedily possible and fully remain
ing time permits?
Should the United States not also reconsider at
least consider houghfuly the wisdom of abandoning the
Philippines either in 1916 or at all?
Why should the United States deceive the Philippines
and above all deceive itself about granting independence
to the islands when their occupation and subugation by
other powers would be inevitable?
The Philippines very rich and desirable island
empire.
They constitute natural and vital frontier for the
United States in the Pacific
Why should the United States abandon this frontier
and draw real frontiers thousands of miles closer to
continental America and very probably thus place the
of future the Pacific thousands of miles
closer to American cities and homes?
Purely selfish interest demands that the United States
should both fortify and KEEP the Philippine Islands
Since humanitarian interest argues the course,
why should the United States pursue other course?
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