HOME RULE PERIOD

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 71, 25 March 1935, Page 4

HOME RULE PERIOD

Philippine Islands

INDEPENDENCE LATER

New York, March 24.

Surrounded by beaming Filipinos, President Eoosevelt signed the document which provides for Home Rule in the 10-year period that must elapse before complete independence becomes, effective in the Philippines. The Pie-' sident explained that while the Islands will largely control their own affairs during the tra-nsitory period, the United States will retain a good deal of authority.

The Governor-General, Mr. Frank Murphy, cabled Manila to call a special legislative session within 10 days to set a date for the election at which Filipinos will vote on acceptance of the constitution. Until complete independence becomes effective the United States will see to the defence and foreign relations of the Commonwealth, and reserves the right to take over Customs in case the Philippices fall behind in debt service.

Not mentioned, but definitely in the background, was the possibility that Japanese penetration might in time be a threat to independence, also that islanders themselves might ask that the period prior to complete independence be extended. The Commonwealth Government will be set up on November 15, to be succeeded on-July •*, 1946, by the Philippine Republic.