The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-05-25
President-Elect ROxas
(NeW York Times)

One of the contributory causes to failure of the Filipnos to move more rapidly toward rehabilitation of their islands the necessity for holding national elections Their last previous election was held on Nov H. 1941 twentyseven days before the Japanese struck when the late Manuel Quezon was elected President of the Commonwealth for a second term. The war made impossible election last year, when it was scheduled Sergio Osmena, who elected Vice President in 1941 continued in the office he had assumed in exile when Quezon died.
 This may be the most important election the Fli- pinos have ever held. Manuel Roxas-who apparently has been elected over Osmena by considerable ma iority-will serve less than month as President of the Commonwealth; July he will become President of the Philippine Republic For most of his fouryear term therefore President Roxas will be guiding new, independent nation through it's critical The has compounded the difficulties that might have been expected normally. It will require wisdom of the first order to guide the Philippine Republic safely through it's first months and years.
 President-elect Roxas first public statement on his aims and the principles that will govern his action gives hope that this wisdom will be exercised He denies vigorously the fascist eanings attributed to him in election speeches promises that rehabilitation will be his first aim, and pleads for full cooperation by the United States in restoring the Philippines to at least a semblance of their pre-war state. He meets frankly the charge of collaboration made against him. Those charges, he said, have been completely and unequvocaly repudiated by the Filipino people who here and in the best position to know the sig nlflcance Cf my actions las nemDer or the Laurei Government under Japanese occupatonl." If, as has been rumored, of the reasons for the sowness of cur Congress in passing the Bell Trade Bill and the Tydngs Rehabilitation Bill distrust of Roxas' credentials as a loyalst, then the vote-in which estimated TO to 80 per cent of the Fpnos participated could be construed a repudation of that attitude too
 The enactment of the Bell and Tydings bills will relieve the United States of further responsibility The unschedued visit to Manila of former President Hoover, his world food-and-famine survey has brought to prominence problem in the Philippines that has received lstle pubicity.-the threat of famine there unless aid is given In the fever of cleo tioneering and anxiety the sowness of Con- gress in enacng relief bills the information that the Flipinos stocks of rice and other cereals alarm ngly low not made public.
 To the many other problems that confront the Roxas Administration prepares to take office month hence is added therefore that of hunger It is one that must be solved We must be as vitaly cerned is the Presdent-eect with the future we'll being of the Filipnos. They sacrificed blood and their health nation for us. We should welcome op- portunity to repay part of the debt with money and food and sympathetic understanding. The great majority of the American people, believe earnestly desire to do just that