DELAY URGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22988, 16 March 1938, Page 13

DELAY URGED

DATE OF INDEPENDENCE FUTURE OF PHILIPPINES surprise: broadcast By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright •Received March 15, 7.25 p.m.) NEW YORK. March 15 The United States High Commissioner to ;he Philippines, Mr. Paul V. McNutt, has made a surprise radio appeal for the indefinite postponement of Philippine independence, which is due to be granted in 1916, in order to assure the, United States an Asiatic outposi and a voice in Oriental diplomacy

"So long as our flag flies there, th<> Philippines will be the corner-stone ol peaceful reconstruction in the Fai East," said Mr. McNutt. "If the flag comes down it will become the centre of a war within war for generations. If we scuttle and run away our grandchildren will apply to us the epithet 'quitter.' " The speech was rebroadcast to the Philippines at the request of President Manuel Quezon. It is believed it is assured f. favourable reception, because of the Si no-Japanese conflict. The speech has special significance in view of Mr. McXutt's extensive conferences with Mr. Poosevelt. It is suggested it is intended to test the public's reaction to a possible change of policy in Washington.