Philippines
p. 47 · Read in the full issue
Future Of The
Not Afroid of Big, Bod Japanese Wolf
THE Philippines National Assembly,
after a bitter debate lasting three days, decided on September 29, by 53 votes to 7, to press on towards complete independence in 1946, as scheduled by United States policy and the Tydings- McDuffie Act of 1934, and not to seek a re-examination of the matter.
The question was raised when Jose Romero, a leading Filipino and one close to President Quezon, proposed that the 1946 independence plan be postponed, in view of adverse world conditions.
This vote suggests that the Philippines are “not afraid of the big, bad wolf” — which, of course, is Japan.
The United States took possession oi Philippines from Spain at the conclusion of the Spanish American war, in 1598.
The Americans immediately began to educate the Filipinos (people of Malay- Mongol stock), who then were at least 98 per cent, illiterate, and to prepare them for self-government. In 1916, the United States Congress passed an Act under which the Filipinos were promised self-government and independence: and in 1934 the Tydings-McDuffie Act pro vided that the Filipinos should have self government forthwith; that they should have almost complete independence in 1946, and full complete independence in 1960.
But, in 1936-7-8-9, the new colour and aggressiveness of Japan’s policy, expan sionist and southwards-thrusting, alarmed many people associated with President Quezon and his new Government: and it was frequently reported that, in the cir cumstances, the Filipinos probably would wish to remain under American protec tion.
The idea of going into reverse has not been very favourably received in America.
The Philippines, away over there near Asia, would not be easy to defend; and, in any case, the powerful American sec tions interested in domestic production of sugar, vegetable oils and tobacco (all of which are abundantly produced in the Philippines and sent to America) would be very glad to see the arrival of 1946 and the shutting-down on free trade be tween the two countries.
The Japanese are very active in the group—which has 114,000 square miles and 15,000,000 inhabitants. There are over 20,000 Japanese in Mindanao (the largest and most southerly island) and the Japanese generally, are deeply in terested in both primary and secondary industries. Whether they exercise politi cal control or not. it is certain that as the Americans withdraw, the Japanese in a commercial sense, will take com mand of the country.
A decree has been issued granting a full pardon to defaulting French citizens in Australia, Papua, New Guinea, Solo mon Islands, Fiji and Gilbert and Ellice Islands conditional on defaulters report ing for military duty to the French Con sular authorities before October 25. De faulters are those who have failed to comply with military service regula tions or those who have deserted from the army, navy, air force, or mercan tile marine.