China’s importance in Philippine Independence

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Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: China’s importance in Philippine Independence
Language: English
Source: The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XVII (Issue No.4) April 1937
Year: 1937
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Fulltext: April, 1937 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 7 China’s Importance in Philippine Independence • Complete separation from the United States would inevitably merge the Islands back into the Orient and raise grave new questions Peace, Brother, be not over-exquisite To cast the fashion of uncertain evils; For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, What need a man forestall his date of grief, And run to meet what he would most avoid? Or if they be but false alarms of fear, How bitter is such self-delusion! —From Milton’s Comus. Joint announcement on March 19 by President Quezon and Francis B. Sayre of the state department at Washington of tentative proposals to advance the independence of the Philippines from the United State's to next year or the year after, caused the most widespread misgivings that any poli tical statement affecting the Islands ever created. Nor has the public yet recovered from the shock. Though gold could be expected to be reasonably independent of the Islands’ political status, the news immediately depressed the maiket for shares violently, and the market remains depressed. This was spectacular, but real estate probably took harder blows. The whole range of farming was sicklied o’er with anxious care; the sugar industry in particular beheld a most dismal outlook. Bank credit was affected, of course something that will have reached deeper into the country’s economy than the mere stagnation of demand for real estate or inhibited interest in mining securities. A nation learned over night that the stability assured by the Tydings-McDuflje act founding the tenyear Commonwealth might be subject to star-chamber alternations reflecting the whimsies of a few statesman, of whose credentials were by no nvan* clear-cut. The pall, therefore, cast by the state ment has not lifted: men still blindly plod along through mazes of apprehen sion and discouragement. The only mitigating factor is the actual briskness of commerce and the high prices current for Philippine commodities. If you ask if the apprehension extends, among Filipinos, to doubts that the Islands could begin in 1938 or 1939 carrying on an independent government success fully, the answer is, yes. It is as evident to Filipinos as to others that grave dom estic problems are to be solved here before internal order under independence is reasonably assured. It is further evident to them that assurance of freedom from foreign aggressions is not to be effected in so short a time, with so many other ques tions to be resolved along with this one. Most of all, it is evident to Filipinos, the independent pro ducers of this country, that adequate overseas markets for their surpluses will not be procurable in one or two years, and nothing, in that time, can be planted and matured to sub stitute sugar. The auspices are not favorable, in the judgment of the new business class of Filipinos, for any regime, however national its pride, under which private and public income is bound to decline rapidly, and levies on behalf of the state are bound to increase rapidly. To be faced with this makes them lose confidence in the Commonwealth as a stepping stone to independence. Nor are their fears allayed by the alacrity with which everyone in the United States, who wishes to have America out of the Islands quickly and completely, seized upon the challenge of the statement and made it an occasion to assert their demands anew. It is felt that those who would withdraw from the Philip pines as early as possible arc of larger number and more arti culate and influential in the United States than those who would not; those who would withdraw are in the majority, and the Philippines suffer when they are given opportunity to speak. The incident, however, affords opportunity to reflect on what will be the probable demands of great nations concerned in the future of the Philippines—either now or at any time separation of the Islands from the Unit ed States politically assumes the aspect of finality. It may be counted as certain that England will protest consistently; her sway will not be less because it will bo exerted quietly, but by every possible means she will try to keep America per manently interested in the Far East. To this end she will have considerable American support, and, without ques tion, much Philippine support. But China’s interest is the more significant. When the Philippines leave America they will merge at once into the Orient. They are oriental, despite the fact that dominant cultural and commercial interests here have been western for four centuries; and they can not lift themselves up, being so many islands, like a thousand-legged worm and pitpat into the West—they have to stay where Nature placed them. Being where they are, and the Chinese people and China herself where they are, China has long had a dominant interest in them. So much so that scholars say there is Chinese blood in every Filipino, while it is obviously true that some 200,000 Chinese actually live in the Islands and are bringing up their children here, well cared for. It is not merely as merchants that Chinese lead the field in the Philippines, their manufacturing plants dot Manila and its environs everywhere—a. scope in which their capital and industry are rapidly expanding. Just how the Philippines merge back into the Orient, when America lets go of them, must interest China greatly; and she is hardly so supine, under the new nationalism that in spires Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership, as to permit this interest to lapse by default. What is China’s handicap here as things stand? China labors here under the handicap of the exclusion law. Chinese immigrants are excluded from the Philippines, but Japanese immigrants are admitted. Beyond question, here is something that China will want corrected before she con(Pleaee turn to page 15) . Apr< 1937 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 15 China's Importance .... (Continuedfrom page. 7) Bents to any international agreement protecting the neutrality of the Philippines. Exclusion of Chinese immigrants from American territory is something that America and China have pain fully worked out together. The elements of its stability are not very strong. But it is one thing, while exclusion of Chinese immigrants from the Philippines as another oriental coun try, at the same time that Japanese immi grants would of course continue to be admit ted, would be quite another thing—not at all to be thought of by China. China defers, in dealing with America on this subject, to America’s high wage and living standards; and besides that, no doubt, to Amer ica’s power as .well as the two countries historical friendship for one another. In the case ofthe Philippines, no longer territory of the United States, only the element of friendship would persist: wage differences :tnd living stand ards would not be at great variance, nor differ ences in blood and culture. From the independent Philippines, either Chinese will not be excluded or no orientals at all will be admitted; and the latter alternative is hardly tangible, since the independent Philip pines will of necessity merge immediately into the Orient and seek stability among its oriental neighbors. When China advances her claims along this line, it will be good politics and true friendship for America to support them; she can lend this support without giving just offense anywhere. Also, so far as may be seen, Eng land would take a similar attitude. As to that, Japan will hardly oppose. Japan has much territory dominantly inhabited by Chinese, and Japanese go where Chinese settled long THE COMMONWEALTH OF TH PHILIPPINE ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU OF POSTS MANILA SWORN STATEMENT (Required by Act 2580) The undersigned Walter Robd, Editor, Business Manager, The American Chamber or Commerce Journal, published monthly in Ma nila, P. I., after having been duly sworn in accordance with law hereby submits the following statement of ownership, management, circulation. etc., as required by Act 2580 of the Philippine Legislature: Editor, Walter Robb, P. O. Boe 1638, Publisher: The American Chamber of Com merce of the Philippine Islands. Business Manager, Walter Rods, P. O. Box 1638, Manila. Owners or stockholders: The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Bondholders, mortgages, or other security holders of one per cent or more of total value: Total circulation—1,550. Manila, I'. I., April 1st, 1937. Walter Robb. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st of April, 1937, the declarant having exhibited his cedula F-52379 issued at Manila, P. I., on Feb ruary 26, 1937. Braulio de Vera Supt. Inspection Division Bureau of Posts before them and compete with the. Chinese — as they are doing in the Philippines. The independent Philippines will not, there fore, be the country we know now: a large and fruitful country, sparsely inhabited and growing in population only by the native increment— its culture western and its commerce mainly with America. On the contrary, the independ ent Philippines will have floated loose from the West and anchored to the East. Its major interests will build up accordingly. Its im migration from the other nearby eastern coun tries will be general, and in all probability, heav iest from China but very important from Japan also. It should fill up quickly, and competition for existence should approach what it now is in China and Japan within fifty years. Heavy immigration will change its political complexion, just its similar immigration affected America; more particularly, large cities. The population SUMMER AGAIN!!! THEN GO TO BAGUIO BAGUIO AS THE BEST SUMMER RESORT IN THE ORIENT IS ALREADY AN ACCEPTED FACT FIRST CLASS FARES Manila-Baguio, one way..................................... PIO.28 Manila-Baguio, round trip................................... 18.40 Manila-Baguio, one way, for air conditioned car 11.39 Begin enjoying temperate climate as soon as you get into the air conditioned coach Clean Noiseless Home Comforts Riding Ease IF YOU OWN A CAR Travel by train to save your car and most important of all save yourself from tiresome driving. Let the locomotive engineer do the driving for you. Automobile as baggage, between Manila and Damortis Pl3.80, one way (One first and one third class fares required) THIRD CLASS FARES Manila-Baguio, up trip........................................... P3.72 Manila-Baguio, down trip..................................... 3.32 Manila-Baguio, round trip...................................... 5.71 Fast express trains equipped with large, easy riding coaches will give you very enjoy able trip. Low fares plus travel factors like safety, arrival on time, easy riding and comfort in the coach are offered the public. First and third class buses of the Bcnguet Auto Line which meet the trains at Damortis are powerful, modern and driven by expert chauffeurs. The Benguet Auto Line enjoys a record on NO ACCIDENT on the Kennon Road for more than two decades. For information, inquire or write to Traffic Department Tel. 4-98-61 Information, Local 42 R. E. BERNABE Chief Clerk LEON M. LAZAGA Traffic Manager MANILA RAILROAD COMPANY 943 Azcarraga — Manila will lx:come more mixed, and it is hardly too much to say that the Malay element may be quite submerged. Whether political institutions will remain what they now are, even in broad outline, is something greatly to be influenced not merely by severance of all political ties with the West but by the immigration—of whole families, setting up whole new communities, to exploit new forms of agriculture or acquire or establish whole industries. The new Philippines must of necessity become a Land of Promise to Chinese as well as Japanese. Its laws, of course, may continue to exclude the foreigner from rights to the public domain; yet because the foreigner will be here, ready and anxious to work, conven ient arrangements such as find a place for the Japanese farmer in Davao will find a place to utilize this new immigrant’s young and willing energy. (Please turn to page .(6) City Office. Tel. 2-31-83 City Agent IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 46 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL April, 1937 TOBACCO REVIEW By P. A. MEYER Rawleaf: The local market con tinued quiet during the month. Ship ments of tobacco scraps to the United States increased substantially. Comparativefigures of March shipments abroad are as fol lows: Rawleaf, Stripped Tobacco and Scraps Kilos Australia.............................................. 17,968 Belgium................................................ 3,665 China.................................................... 28,995 Holland..................... 6,120 Hongkong............................................ 10,140 Indochina............................................ 11,900 Italy..................................................... 596,754 Java...................................................... 420 North Africa....................................... 18,564 Straits Settlements............................. 1,416 United States..................................... 323,989 March, 1937....................................... 1,019,931 February, 1937................................... 2,400,021 March, 1936....................................... 172,792 January-March, 1937........................ 3,780,096 January-March, 1936........................ 4,099,200 Cigahs: Comparative figures of shipments to the United States are as follows: Cioars March, 1937................................... 14,793,718 February, 1937............................... 12,807,019 March, 1936................................... 16,022,918 January-March, 1937..................... 32,546,841 January-March, 1936..................... 38,410,167 MANILA HEMP By H. P. STRICKLER Manila Cordage Company There were some very interesting develop ments in the hemp market during the month under review. The American market was firm practically during the entire month, and the prices for Davao grades aDd for the higher Manila grades advanced steadily, and in some instances very materially. The market closed with the American market still firm, with good demand, especially the grades JI, S2 and above. The London and Japanese markets were quiet and uninteresting during the first half of March, but a steadier tendency and spotty demand became evident tow’ards the middle of the month, which promised a good demand for the medium and lower grades for April, May, June ship ments. Among the local markets, Davao was firm during the whole of the.month, and prices there advanced continuously in response to demand from the American market. The Manila and Cebu markets were quiet, with neither buyers nor sellers showing much interest in operating, excepting on the higher grades. Prices of Loose Fiber in Manila Per Picul February 28th March 31st CE E. >................. P30.50 ............ 26 50 CD E ................P32.00 9.Q on F. ................ 22.50 F.. .............. 24.50 I.. ................ 19 00 I 22 00 S2. ................ 18.50 S2. .............. 19 50 JI. ................ 16.50 JI. ............ 17.25 G. ................ 15.75 G. ............. 16.00 H. ................ 14.00 H.. .............. 14.00 J2. ................ 14.00 J2. .............. 14.25 K. ................ 13.75 K.. .............. 13.50 LI LI L2 ................ 12.00 L2. .............. 12.00 Prices of Loose Fiber in Davao Per Picul February 28th March 31st F. ................ P24.00 F.. .............. P26.50 I.. . . 22 50 I 24 00 S2. ............... 21.00 S2 .............. 23.25 JI. ................ 21.25 JI. .............. 22.50 G ................ 19.75 G. .............. 21.25 H. ................ 16.50 H. .............. 18.50 J2. ................ 19.50 J2. .............. 21.00 K ................ 17.25 K. .............. 19.25 China’s Importance {Continued from page 15) Domestic commerce will grow in propor tion to the growing population. Foreign com merce will grow by variation of products and the ability of the larger population to produce for exportation. America will buy what she requires from the Philippines, which is very much, on terms as good as she offers elsewhere. There will be commercial struggles, long and fierce—such as will be precipitated w’hcn the independent Philippines attempt to establish their own merchant marine. Just as China pays dearly for every step of her own in this direction, so will the independent Philippines. It will be problematical how long they maintain their independence, since they may well be the subject of oriontal war—even world war. Some will like to take their chances in the motley Philippines born of the period of heavy immigration. Some will not. Many, surely, will sell out to the new-comers. For the great mines, for example, there are standing Japanese orders right now. It is in the cards that nu merous other great mines be developed soon, at least to the point of fine promise, and there will be offers for these as well. When Chinese come to the independent Philippines, and acquire citizenship—or thousands now’ here acquire citizenship—planters will have their chance to sell. The only w’ay for the Philippines, as the world know’s them, to continue in w’ays they nowknow, ensconced in western culture and with the West concerned for their welfare, is for them to retain their tenuous political association with the United States. Tenuous as it is, it yet serves to keep the country in the hands of its native peoples; and if the country develops slowly, yet it develops as these people’s own heritage. As to the depression of the stock market and realty values, and the anxiety of business and banking evoked by the Quezon-Sayre statement that the independent Philippines may be upon us next year or the year after, let the depressed count this as quite impossible until China’s will re specting migration of her people to the Philip pines (as an independent country) is satisfied by nondiscriminatory legislation. China’s di plomacy is resilient, but it will never yield so much as to hand over this country to Japan on golden salvers. The moment the Commonw’ealth is abandon ed, the Powers with interests in and around the Philippines gain their day in court. The ques tion no longer remains a question merely be tween Washington and Manila. It becomes eminently international. China’s interest must, naturally, be paramount. No other country’s is so old, large, and socially ingrained, and none so readily asserted and defended under the sheer laws of justice.—Walter Robb. Among The Mines In charge for San Agustin Mines, Inc., permit recently granted by SEC, is Henry B. Parfet whom the secretary manager, Joaquin Herrerias, says had had extensive experience in South Amer ica. The property is 20 Iodo claims at Bakun, Mt. Province, adjacent to Gold Star, Palidan-Suyoc, Suyoc Con solidated. General exploration is in progress and tunnels have been begun. Since August last year the chromite property of Arsenio Luz and associates in the Filipinas Mining Corporation has been under operating contract with Marsman & Co. The property lies in the jurisdiction of Guisguis, Santa Cruz, Zambales. It comprises 180 claims. Of P200,000 authorized capital, P160,000 is paid up. IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL
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