Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1941. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 249, 2 August 1941, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1941. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

In their search for plausible excuses for the occupation of air and military bases in Indo-China, the Japanese newspapers have now found in the recent change in the military administration of the Philippines an indication that the United Stales entertains designs against the interests of Japan. They conveniently ignore the fact that the step was taken because of the serious menace to the safety of the islands presented by Japan’s own actions . In a strategic sense the islands are vulnerable, encircled, a’s they are, by Japanese bases on Formosa, Hainan, Paracel and Spratley Islands, Pelew Island in the Carolines, and finally by the newly-occupied positions at Saigon and Camranh Bay. The change recently announced simply shows that the United States is determined to defend, with the loyal co-operation of the Filipinos, a territory of considerable wealth in the development of which American methods of administration have achieved notable triumphs. The Commonwealth of the Philippines already enjoys a considerable degree of self-government and its progress to full sovereignty as the Philippines Republic ha& been clearly envisaged. One of the most significant aspects of the\ situation, in view of the Japanese talk about co-prosper-ity in East Asia, is that the Filipinos themselves have suspended their claims to independence and have welcomed the extension of direct protection by the United States, planned under the new military administration. In the sphere in which they have selfgovernment they have bestirred themselves on their own behalf. Since last September President Quezon has been vested with the widest emergency powers and compulsory military training has been intensified. The territory is indeed a classic example of ordered development under enlightened democratic rule and for that reason alone it would be disastrous if the Japanese'threat were not resisted.