"A National Issue"

A fortnight ago a secret service agent caused a flare-up in the Philippines. He was accused of graft, acquitted and reinstated after his trial by Governor General Leonard" Wood. Thereupon the Cabinet -- or more properly the " Council of State" -- resigned (TIME, July 30).

As a result the Philippine Legislature sitting as the " Independence Commission " passed a resolution saying " this is a national issue, having behind it the unqualified approval and support of the whole people." They demanded the recall of General Wood and declared that the islands ought to have "immediate independence."

It is far from likely that General Wood will be recalled. It is still less likely (under the present Administration) that the Philippines will be given " immediate independence." Advices from Washington indicate that the War Department takes a view amounting to : " This is a political issue, having the approval and support of wholehearted politicians."

Politics of the situation. It is not

true, as was first reported, that the Cabinet resigned. The Jones Act of 1916 created a Cabinet appointed by the Governor. It happened, however, that the two leading politicians of the island, Sergio Os-mena and Manuel Quezon, were Speaker of the Assembly and President of the Senate respectively. They wished a part in the executive end of the Government. Governor General Harrison allowed the formation of a new body, the Council of State. This is comprised of the members of the Cabinet and the two officers above named. Osmena was elected Vice President of this body. It has no legal standing. Nevertheless, it took over the duties of the Cabinet, which for practical purposes ceased to exist, and Osmena was practically Prime Minister.

With the coming of Governor General Wood, less indulgent to the Filipinos' desires than his predecessor, Francis Burton Harrison, it looked as if trouble was brewing. Osmena resigned from the Assembly, thereby losing his place on the Council of State, and was elected to the Senate. Quezon became Prime Minister, that is, Vice President of the Council of State. When that body resigned recently, it was Quezon who delivered the resignation. Inasmuch as he was not a member of the Cabinet, he could not, theoretically, resign for that body.

Osmena, it is thought, may have something up his sleeve. He had got out of the Council of State before the trouble began. If Quezon's protest as Osmena may intend that it shall, the crafty Osmena may be in a position to seize the reins of power.

The popularity of independence as an issue with the people prevents almost all Philippine politicians from taking the opposite side of the question -- it would mean a terrible loss of votes. Osmena is far from likely to chance it. Even the Democratic Party, the younger school of politicians, as opposed to the older school of Quezon and Osmena, maintains an attitude of critical assent to Quezon's move. But the Democratic Party can hardly be said to count because it is a very small minority in the Legislature.

Meanwhile Quezon is said to be debating whether he will come to this country to ask for the recall of General Wood -- it is too likely to be a goose chase. It is likewise said that not as much excitement has been aroused in the hearts of the Filipinos over the secret service agent as Senor Quezon had expected.