In Philippines

Headache May Develop In Philippines

WITH pro-Indonesians turning propagandist handsprings and attracting sensational news paper headlines, the Western world has been taking little notice of recent events in the Philippines.

The presence of Asian Communists in the Philippines (20,000,000) could oe even more dangerous to the South Pacific than domination of Indonesia (83,000,000) by the Reds.

Philippines is a most important bastion in the frontal defence line (extending from New Guinea to Formosa, Korea and Japan) which United States maintains against Red Asia.

There was turmoil in the Philip pines after 1945, until the strong and capable Magsaysay took charg .

When he died in a plane accident last year, leadership descended upon the politically feeble and incon spicuous Carlos Garcia. Immedi ately, all sorts of pro-Asian, anti- Western movements of varying degrees of nastiness developed; and these showed up clearly in last month’s general elections. Garcia got a majority from the 7,000,000 voters; but the strength of his opposition suggests a coming period of turmoil.

Normally, Philippines Republic would be left —like Indonesia, Ceylon, Burma, etc. —to stew in its own politico-economic confusions.

But its situation is not normal— it means too much to North Ameri can and South Pacific security. If the political situation worsens, and the wild men get loose, some firm interference by the Americans is likely.

Political developments in “In dependent” Philippines (except the Magsaysay period) are very similar to these of “independent” Indonesia.

In other words, these Indo-Malay peoples seem incapable of govern ing themselves —at this stage of their evolutionary growth, anyway.