Japan wants to continue as world power although they realize {that their non-productive expenditures incurred thereby are more than their present taxing power justifies—their war and rates partly because capitalists fear the possible success of the demand for immediate independence.
And even if there were an' absolutely stable government now it would be so largely because the United States is helping in its direction, It is impossible for the Philippines to demonstrate that they can maintain a stable government without the supervision of] the United States until they have] conducted an uncontrolled government. So here is a vicious circle. It is one thing to be a stable while the United States is steering the ship—but quite a different thing] when Filipinos are at the helm.
Another serious contention has! arisen! Has either Congress or the President the inherent right} to surrender the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines In Manila it is strenuously asserted and an extensive brief has been!
Prepared to prove that by the reaty of peace with Spain the tle to the Philippine Islands has become vested in the people of the United States and nothing short of constitutional amendment will a transfer of the same to opinion by the! Attorney General on this question would lo welcomed by all—all the inudgets are a great strain on their factions want the United States taxpayers and may even cause|Government to promptly and) them to rebel against it—yet Japan feels that her continuing as the only world power on the Pacific ives her a valuable prestige, not only in the Pacific but all over the world and it will be of great, advantage to. them in full share of the Chi when that country is finally opened to unlimited commerce and development. They feel that their great future prospects justify their present apparent extravagance.
The Japanese promptly brush! aside any allusion to their coveting the Philippine Islands. Their thorough knowledge of the Philippines, and their—complete (oven better than that of our own public), understanding of our relations to the Philippines and the Pacific problem has convinced [them that there will not be any] tion inthe immediate future. They know that is essential and wise to continue rely fix their future policy as! to the islands and then firmly—and unwaveringly adhere to it—they can't. want another investigating, commission of Americans. They desire a mixed commission Americans and Filipinos to find an immediate solution to the problem.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.