The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-11-04
.Ouezon May
Keep Office
BY Robert S. Walters

Z = 4
Washington, ASr 4-UP- Al
though Preside. 4!anuel Quezons
term OF office expires Nov. is,
movement is under way among
| Filipino officials in this country 10
continue him as head OF the Philip
pines Commonwealth government,
it was learned today.
Supporters OF the veteran Fill
pino leader feel that the constitu-
tional Limitation OF eight years in
office (Which period Quezon will
round out next MONTH should be
waived on the ground OF wartime
necessity. They contend that in the
eyes OF the Filipinos he is symbol
OF their fight against the Japanese
invaders and of Filipino loyalty to
the United States.
The possible effect OF Quezon's
removal from office upon Filipino
morale ant will-to-resist should be
weighed carefully before decision
is reached. his friends believe.
They point out that guerrillas now
lighting in the Philippines call
themselves Quezon guerrillas.
II was recalled that week after
Pearl Harbor the Philippines Ma
tional Assembly granted Quezon
unlimited powers for the duration.
He was empowered to transfer the
seat OF government. to reorganize
the government, to issue bonds,
/ etc.
Quezons supporters say that it
is as il the Natiopsl Assembly had
said to the President: While the
war lasts, you run the Common
wealth Government as you think
best"
The Presidential term OF the
Philippines. as, approved by the
. Constitutional Convention in 1895,
was fixed at six years without re-
election. A later convention ap-
proved an amendment to the Con
stitution fixing the Presidential
terms at four years with one re-
election.
Two considerations should gov
ern whether Quezon continues in
office after Nov Is, observers here
have held. The paramount one Is
whether or not it would be to the
| best interest Of the war effort and
the other is what the Filipinos
would want done II they could be
heard at present.
IL Is important TO remember. &C
cording TO these observers, not only
Quezon's long-standing leadership
of the Filipino people but also his
rallying them to the support OF the
American flag by messages to the
/ National Assembly and speeches
/ made throughout the United States.
Friends OF President Quezon con.
tend that whatever is done regard
ing the Philippines Presidential
! term and succession, whether Que
bon is continued in Office or not. It
is fairly certain Japanese propa-
gandsts will exploit the decision
/ for their own ends. II he remains
/ President, the Japanese will say
/ no respect has been shown the
: Philippines Constitution. it is said.
on the other hand, II Quezon is
1 not kept in office. the Japanese may
/ take the line that the United States
has deserted and betrayed the Fill
/ Pine leader
on the other hand. there are
some Fiiipinos who favor a rigid
adherence TO the Philippine Con
stitution as the only proper way
to decide the case, irrespective of
what the National Assembly did.
They contend that Quezon should
retire Nov ! : and leave the 'Presi-
| dency TO Sergio Osmena, Vice
| President and rightful successor
since the Philippines election. in
/ ease Quezon vacates the office.
/ Some impartial observers believe
| that President Roosevelt guided
+ by the Justice Department will
/ have to advise what should be
+ done.