The Philippines
By majorities of decisive weight both Houses of Congress have over-ridden President Hoover's veto of the Philippines Bill. Hence, if the measure is accepted by the Filipinos, the Archipelago will become independent after a ten-years' transition. This period is to be divided into two equal parts, mainly for tariff purposes. The Government will be under an American High Com- missioner of limited powers, and the President will keep control over some legislation, and duty-free imports into the United States will be subject to quota. Complete independence will mean the end of free trade with the United States. Immigration of Filipinos is to be lithited to an annual quota of fifty—ii figure that will make a very serious difference to the islands. They are to demand an international guarantee of neutralization, but the United States will retain, after full independence, the right to. maintain military and naval stations. Yir. Stimson, like Mr. Hoover, is anxious.. He believes that the measure will " disturb the new base of political equilibrium " throughout the Western Pacific and _ beyond. There is no parallel in the modern world to this extraordinary reversal of policy on the Republican: side, mainly on the demand of the American sugar and , cotton-seed oil interests. Congress has decided that the. Philippines must be independent in order that their products may be taxed and their people kept out of the
United States. * * *
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