New York Tinea, Karoh 27, 1940
QUEZON SUGGESTS
SEMI-INDEPENDENCE
He Hints of the Possibility of
Continuing Under U. $., With
Treaty-Making Power
ASSAILS PRESENT STATUS
Trade Effects Stressed in Talk
to Normal School Class—
'Risk' of Liberty Preferred
Wir»i(M lo The Nrw tokx Time*.
MANILA, P. I.. March 26-Presl-
dcnt Manuel Quezon tentatively
suggested today that continued re-
lations with the United States might
bo arranged if treaty-making pow-
ers wore vested in the Philippines.
His statement aroused now discus- j
sion over the question of independ-
ence.
Speaking extemporaneously to the
graduating class of the Normal!
School, he stated that Independence
war preferable to a continuance of
the present relationship beyond
1946. He admitted that ho had tost
all confidence in the ability of the
.Philippines to defend herself for
many years to come against aggres-
sion by a major Dower. The Presi-
dent said that he lost confidence
after seeing what happened In Eu-
rope.
He intimated, however, that the
Philippines would accept Independ-
ence at tho risk of being conquered
afterward. He told his audience
to impart the proper philosophy of
life to the young Filipinos. He
added:
"Let any conqueror come. We
may be under his power for another
300 years, as under Spain, but the
day will come when the Filipino
people will emerge triumphant."
President Quezon's remarks about
preferring Independenco to a con-
tinuance of the present relationship
apparontly was directed at the ad-
vocates of re-exam in at Ion who want
a review of the question of rela-
tions with the United States, look-
ing to postponement of Independ-
ence.   President Quezon stated:
"Conditions of the present rela-
tionship are too markedly In favor
of the United States and against
the Islands, because while United
States goods enter here freoly,
Philippine goods meet all sorts of
restrictions and limitations in the
United Statos.
"Whore is the justice in that?
How can the Philippines progress
economically?"
He added that the Philippines did
not have the power to conclude
commercial treaties so that Philip-
pine goods banned from the United
States might find markets else-
where.
"One of the most important
things in govornment Is national
economy," he said, "but under
existing conditions, with the powers
of the Commonwealth restricted by
those retained by the President and
Congress, the Philippines cannot
shape her national economy."
He added that perhaps continued
relations with tho United States
"might be acceptable" if the
Philippines had the power to con-
clude commercial treaties. He
added that ho thought the Amer-
ican Govornment never would per-
mit that and said that those who
advocate re-exam! nation see only
the material side, meaning eco-
nomic benefits from American pro-
tection and a free market.
Turning to the defense question.
President Quezon said that he had
ceased to believe that with the
Philippines' scant resources It
would be possible to repel the In-
vasion of a major power during tho
early years of nationhood. "We
might just as well face the situ-
ation and accept it." he said. "It
Is foolish to believe that the pres-
ence of the United States enhances
the danger of Philippine invasion,
because America would not attack
a foreign power without provoca-
tion, and vlco versa."
This portion of President Quezon's
remarks caused speculation hero
because of tho position in which it
placed General Douglas MacArthur.
who has steadfastly insisted, sinco
accepting tho post of military ad-
visor in 1935. that the Philippines
could defend Itself with a native
army built up In ten years. Gen-
eral MacArthur was unavailable for|
comment.
President Quezon's statement re-
called that there had been a drastio
retrenchment In tho defense pro-
gram, Including tho training of
only 20,000 men yearly, instead of
40,000. President Quezon's reasons
for his statements puzzled many ob-
servers, but somo who are close to
official circles said that he was
sending up a trial balloon In order
to stir a reaction in Washington.
President Quezon intends to go to.
the Unitod States in June or July.'
He will visit South America before
returning.