Ink After Blood

Six weeks ago the hall of the House of Representatives in Manila was turned temporarily into an operating room. A doctor opened a vein in the arm of Gregorio Perfecto so that worthy delegate might sign his name to the new Philippine Constitution in his own warm blood. If a new Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands could not be founded by the sword, it was better, thought Delegate Perfecto, that it should be founded by the lancet than by the pen.

Last week six beige-colored gentlemen assembled in the White House offices to see a more important endorsement put upon their Constitution. President Roosevelt, with Secretary of War Dern at his right and Manuel Quezon (probably first President of the Philippine Commonwealth) at his left, squiggled his name in ordinary ink to a document certifying that the Constitution complies with U. S. demands.

Thus the question of Philippine independence was finally put up to the Filipinos. Their Constitution must still be approved by a plebiscite, but the result is a foregone conclusion. The Commonwealth of the Philippines should be set up before this year is out, and by 1946 it should become the wholly autonomous and independent Republic of the Philippines. Now only big worry of Philippine politicians is that they will not be able to get their declaration of independence modified, for businessmen agree that the loss of their duty-free U. S. markets may bring the islands economic ruin.

Many a cribbed phrase from the U. S. Constitution is to be found in the Philippine Constitution. But alongside the ideas of 1787, appears many an idea from the New Deal of 1935 and many a Filipino innovation. Prime differences from the U. S. Constitution:

1) The President will be elected for six years and will not be eligible to succeed himself. Salary: $15,000. He has power to veto not only whole bills but any item in an appropriation, revenue or tariff bill. The Legislature cannot, with two minor exceptions, appropriate more money than he asks for in his budget. The Vice President may serve in his Cabinet and Cabinet members may address the Legislature.

2) There will be a unicameral National Assembly of not more than 120 members, elected for three years. Salary: $2,500. The annual meeting of this Assembly shall not last over 100 days and no special session shall last over 30 days. In times of war "or other national emergency," the Assembly can confer dictatorial powers on the President.

3) The Supreme Court will consist of eleven justices appointed to serve until they reach the age of 70. Salary: $7,500. A two-thirds majority of this Court is necessary to declare a law or treaty unconstitutional.

4) All male citizens over 21 and able to read and write will have the right to vote. Women's suffrage will be extended on the same terms if, in a plebiscite to be held within two years, 300,000 women vote for it.

5) All natural resources are declared the property of the State which it cannot sell, but may lease for not more than 25 years. No person or corporation may own or lease more than 2,500 acres of public agricultural land.

6) The State may establish and operate industries, transportation and communication systems in the interest of national welfare and defense.

7) The State shall protect Labor, regulate the relations between landlords and tenants, between Labor and Capital and may provide for compulsory arbitration.

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