With regard to his position in the Philippine Islands, Mr. McNutt said that the whole Idea is' the establish ment of economic independence and the working toward political independence, Without economic Gependence, political independ fence" would be meaningless. 'The Joint Committee of American and Philippine Experts have already deen' appointed, he said, and will have their recommendations for economic adjustments completed by this. autumn, At that time the recommendations will go before the Philippine legislature.
'There Is some fear of course, in the United States that once, free of American protection the indepen donee of the Philippines will' be jeopardized by Japan, Mr. McNutt Admitted, He deprecated the idea, however, saying stich fear was in= evitable' in some quarters.
Ins, MeNutt laughed shortly and loudly when one reporter asked if his new appointment might not be a molipwing process pointing to his future presidency of the United States, in view of the fact that such appointments inthe past had been followed by high government post tions In Washington D.C.
He broke away from that theme by saying forcefully that his mind was concentrated on the work before him in the Philippine Islands. He spoke in high terms of Mr. Frank Murphy, the former Governor General of the Philippines, whom he sild was a close unoMecial, as well a8 political, friend, President Roosevelt would like to "Among the important matters to bbe considered in the immediate future Provisions in regard to a neutral tanitom pact fe. the sand cine statue of our future trade relations with. the islands, mist Take" place in the Islands Detore Economic" of well as Dotiica, indepen dence te achieved.
"The interested departments and agencies of the United States Government have been giving earnest consideration to the problems involved in future trade relations between the United States and the Philippine Islands as well as to the various economic and related adjustments which may be called for in connection with the independence Drogramme. There is to be a joint Committee of American and Philippine experts appointed for the pur-ose of preparing specific recommendations in regard to these mat-tors after careful study. This will rot be a joint committee in the work which one side will seek to obtain concessions ind favours from the other. All efforts will be directed toward the formulation of a construc tive programme, which will then be referred to the two governments.
"In view of the capacity for seifgovernment' and the adherence to democratic annd constitutional principles heretofore demonstrated by the people of the Philippine Islands, all of us hope and expect that they will continue to justify their faith the principles of liberty and self government.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.