IN THE PHILIPPINES

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1926, Page 3

IN THE PHILIPPINES

INHABITANTS CONTENT. INDEPENDENCE A FETISH. Geographically, Colonel Carmi A. Thompson has completed the first third of the survey of the Phillipine Islands, which he undertook at the request of President Coolidge. That is, he has visited the Chief provinces of the Island of Luzon (says the New York Times). Later he begins a boat trip of a fortnight to the Yisayan group of islands in the main sugar regions, later going to Moro land —Midanao and the Sulu Islands, a potential rubber district. A throe-fold division symbolises the Phillipine flag, the rising sun, meaning freedom; the three stars, representing Luzon, Visaya and Mindanoa, and the red, white and blue field. RECEIVES NO COMPLAINTS. Most of the agitation, for independence is found in the Tagalog dialect group in Luzon, but Colonel Thompson has been much impressed by the fact that ho has not received from the populace a single specific complaint of grievance against American rule. Despite the widespread nationalistic feeling and the general aspiration for eventual independence, there is no evidence of any American injustice or misrule. The people everywhere are apparently happy and contented, friendly, intelligent, sober, industrious and orderly and turn out in large numbers to participate in the Thompson welcome. The independence demonstrations appear passive, undemonstrative and unenthusiastic. When questioned all, even the school children, say they want independence and to be free, but seem indifferent whether they get it in the near future. The wtomen are espeially apathetic.

The populace is apparently willing to continue indefinitely under the American flag—all except the politicos, 'who stage the demonstrations with, their parades and banners and petitions for immediate independence. The politicos’ agitation is natural arid should not be taken too seriously as far as immediacy is concerned. They must favour independence or face charges of treason from their opponents." Moreover, the politicos in power naturally want greater power. Manuel Quezon undoubtedly would like to be President of the Republic or Governor of a completely autonomous dominion, although he appears to be sincerely nationalistic. ATTITUDE OF POLITICOS. Even the Politicos ,do not expect immediate independence. Some are indifferent, others do not want it, fearing civil war or the massacre of the Politicos by Aguinaldo Venterans. They also fear a More rebellion or immigration overunning the country from overcrowded China if Americans left. .

A prominent non-Politico . Filipino told the Thompson garty that while the masses undoubtedly want independence, it is partly because they would be a strange people if they did not, partly the result of the Politicos' agitation, partly the result of our system of education, inculcating American democratic ideals, such as the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal,” and Patrick Henry's “Give me liberty or give me death,” nevertheless they do not realise the practical results of independence at this stage of the game.

In one town a lawyer, a business man and a Government employee, all Filipinos, said the masses have no sense of the responsibilities of independence, regard freedom merely as the freedom of a bird and do not realise it would mean higher taxes, the necessity of their own national defence, and end to free trade with America, lower wages, a lower standard of living, possible chaos and anarchy or subjugation by some other power. They said that if the people realised it would mean higher taxes they would be against immediate independence because Filipinos are just as opposed to high taxes as any other people.