PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 9

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC BRITAIN'S FAR EAST FEARS LONDON. May 5 The apparently unimportant poll for independence to be taken shortly by the Filipinos will bear vital significance to the future of the Pacific —and Australia —as it is feared that if the United States goes out Japan will have unrivalled supremacy. " The action will profoundly influence the Far East," says the special correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, " as the Filipinos are voting for a commonwealth which automatically becomes a republic in 10 years. They are creating a new nation at one of the world's most important strategic points. " Nothing illustrates more clearly the United States' withdrawal from the East, and her trend toward isolation than her abandonment of the Philippines. " This ' jettisoning of Empire ' reveals that illusion has spread throughout America regarding expansion, but while it may appear an unselfish gesture, it is really a result of most unscrupulous, cynical lobbying by American sugar interests, who fear Philippine competition. " Nevertheless, the general fear is that if the Americans go out, Japan will have unrivalled supremacy in the Pacific, and will be able to dominate the Philippines commercially and may be tempted to take military and naval control, which aspect is causing alarm in the British and Dutch Far East. " British fear is that Japanese control of Manila would endanger Hongkong, cause reverberations in India, and also open the way to Australia. " The Dutch fear that the Japanese would be brought within striking distance of the Borneo oil regions and other raw materials which Japan lacks. " Already a pro-Japanese movement has begun in the Philippines, but many cling to the hope that the United States, owing to recent discoveries of chromite and oil, will reconsider her decision and remain in the Far East."