Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-11

States representative can point with
pride to his own country's record
for enlightened colonialism in the
Philippines. This country took over
the Philippines at the turn of the
century with the intention of free
ing them, and accomplished this
purpose. after the interruptions of
two world wars, in less than so
years.
The Philippines have had their
growing pains. There has been too
much corruption and too little at
tention to the plight of the little
fellow. But the elective method of
choosing leaders has always sur
vived. So it was last November,
when the Filipino people went to the
polls in record numberS-over mil
lion voted-to elect Ramon Mag
saysay, guerrilla leader against the
Japanese in World War II and later
secretary Of defense. q man widely
judged capable Of giving his coun-
try the reform government 1t needs.
There IL now real reason to hope
that the Philippines are entering
on a period Of advancement in do
nestle affairs and closer cold war
cooperation with the free world.
OFF to Good Stort
President Magsaysay already has
made a good start since his inaugu-
ration last December 80. He has
appointed q cabinet of technicians
rather than politicians. First he
is setting about cleaning up the do
mestic situation. Later he will
probably move into the interna-
tional field. A great friend Of
America and strong foe of COM
munism, he is being looked upon
in United States diplomatic circles
as a messiah" who may in the
next four or six years show by
his inspirational example how other
young democracieS in the Far East
can prosper.
Mr.. Magsaysay's term is four
years, but if his popularity at the
end of that time is anything like
what 1t was last November 10, it
is probable that he will be re-
elected for another two years, the
limit under Filipino law.
His first concern is to clean out
bureaucrats who have been prof.
teering on their government jobs.
The Hulk Problem
Another high-priority job for the
Magsaysay administration is to dis
band the Hukbalahaps. The Huks
pronounced Hooks are bands of
discontinued farmers led by clever
Communist minority. The head OF
the Red hard core is said to be
Luis Taruc, who has a $4,000 price
on his head. Late in February, Presi-
dent Magsaysay issued an ultima
tum: Either the Huks came out Of
the hills and surrendered or the
Filipino army was going into the
hills after them. Huks who had no
black marks against them would be
given land on Mindanao, a central
island in the Philippines group,
where they would be able to start
life anew. Those who were accused
of crimes would have to stand trial.
The Magsaysay theory is that
most Huks, being only disconnected
farmers, have had enough of the
outlaw life and will return to live
under civil authority If they can
trust the man to whom they sur
render. Mr.. Magsaysay has set up
the Mindanao project to prove his
good faith.
"Mon-ching" also has robbed the
Huks of one Of their principal OBJ
jections to Filipino civil authority.
He is making ready to attack the
redistribution problem with more
vigor than it has been assailed in
the past. Mr.. Magsaysay hopes to
provide most of the poverty stricken
tenant farmers of the Philippines
with lands they can till for them
selves, without paying exorbitant
rents.
The new trend has even won
grudging admiration from Taruc,
who said recently:
Whatever were my misgivings on