Philippine Autonomy The Philippine Islands have entered on a period
of semi-independence, constituting a temporary interlude preparatory to the grant of independence unqualified which the islands will obtain in ten years' time. For the. present autonomy will be strictly confined to internal affairs; and will not include control over currency. As set-off against that Filipinos will henceforward be treated as aliens in the United States, though United States citizens will enjoy full civic rights in the ,Philippines. The islands have been American since the SpaniSh- Atherican war of 1898, and it has been a fixed .canon of American policy to retain permanently none of the terri- tories acquired in-that campaign. Cuba has already been, relinquished,. Puerto Rico enjoys representative govern- Ment, but remains an American possession ; the Philip-. pines might have gained independence earlier but for the disturbed state of the islands and their incapacity to defend themselves against certain powerful neighbours. That incapacity still, remains, and the thirteen 'million Philippine islanders ten years hence may view the situa, tion that then confronts them with some trepidation. American domination may have been irksome, but. American protection has been reassuring.
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