INDEPENDENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 3

INDEPENDENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES.

LARGE POWERS GRANTED NATIVES. COXTKOL OF LEGISLATION. (from otrn owx corkesvondext.) SAN FRANCISCO. October 26.' Independence for the Philippines has long been one of the avowed policies of' the Democratic Party. A definite and far-reaching stop in that direction has just been token by the Wilson Administration in the announcement that to native citizens will bo given a majority on the appointive Philippine Commission. This body consists of nine members, and is virtually the upper house or senate of the local legislature. Heretofore thero have always been enough American to constitute a majority. In the- lower house of the legislature, which is elective, there is already a majority of Filipinos, so that by giving the natives control of the commission the Aiflerican Government also gives them control of legislation, subject only to veto by President AVilson.

According to the viewpoint from which Americans regard the Philippine question the relegation of theso largo additional powers to the natives is spoken of either as a '"scuttle" or as the "dawning of Philippine freedom." ■There is much difference of opinion on the subject in tho United States, but in view of tho fact that the Philippines are looked upon as tho weak point in Uncle Sam's defences in the event of war with Japan, it is probable that most Americans would welcome tho day when this country was entirely free of responsibility for the islands.

That complete freedom for the Filipinos is the ultimate object of PresidentWilson and his advisers there can bo no doubt. The new Governor-General, Mr Francis Burton Harrison, in his inaugural address announced the purposo of placing the Philippine Commission under native control, and said: —"Wβ regard ourselves as trustees, acting not for the advantage of tho United States, but for the benefit of tho»people of tho Philippines. Every stop we tako will be taken with a view to tho ultimate independence of the islands and as a preparation for that independence, and we hope to move toward that end as rapidly as the safety and the permanent interests of the islands will permit. After each step experience will guide us as to the next."

The Governor-General told the Filipinos further that -until their independence ie complete "we shall demand unremitting recognition of our sovreignty." The pooplo of the Philippines must furnish convincing proof that they arp capable of establishing a permanent Government. "We place wjthin your reach the instruments of redemption. The door of opportunity stands opon, and # tho event, under Providence, is in your hands."

It must not be supposed that there is not bitter opposition in the United States to xhe proposed surrender of the Philippine Islands. Newspapers like tho "New York Tribune" and the "Chicago Inter-Ocean," and . generally speaking the leading members of tho Republican Party, are ; very much against it. The "Inter-Ocean" enquires by what authority President Wilson assumes to dispose of thousands of square miles of tho national territory, and predicts:—"Wβ shall be fortunate indoed if President Wilson's ill-judged , promises to the Filipinos do not become the seed of a. bloody harvest of rebellion and war." Another paper asserts the'Filipinos will not get independence, do not need it. and ought not to have it, adding:— "Wo paid 20 million dollars for the islands, wo then conquered them by force of arms, and have given them tho first decent government they have ever had, and the last ono they will get ehould we abandon them."