PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 7

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

SUGGESTED FREEDOM.TRANSITIONAL PERIOD. MAY LAST EIGHT YEARS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received December 15, 11.15 a.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. The Senate to-day rejected a proposal to free the Philippine Islands in five years, and proceeded to consider plans for a longer transitional period. The vote was 38 to 37.

The Senate later approved of a proposal to free the Philippines in eight years, tlio voting being 40 to 38. Senator Bulow, a Democrat, of Soutii Dakota, moved reconsideration of the vote by which the Senate set a Philippine eight year transitional jieriod. The final vote on the Bill as a whole has yet to be taken. After that the differences with the House have to he reconciled before the Bill goes to the President.

The Philippines were officially annexed to Spain in 1569, and till 1898 remained a portion of the Spanish dominion. As a result of the SpanishAmerican War the islands were in that year ceded to the United States. On April 4 last the American House of Representatives passed by a vote of 306 to 47 a Bill providing for Philippine independence in 1940. The main provisions provided for autonomous government of the islands pending complete independence, for limited immigration of Filipinos and for restricted importation of Filipino products into the United States. The Unted States reserved the right, after independence is granted, to retain certain .military and naval bases there. Although the Secretary for State, Mr H. L. Stimson, expressed opposition to Philippine independence at the present time, his statement was ignored by the House which apparently wished to place the final responsibility upon the Senate. In the Philippines the news of the action of the House was received with mixed sentiments and even those most anxious for independence were sobered by the realisation of the disastrous economic effects which separation from the United States might entail.