The Pittsburgh Press (February 9, 1946)
Editorial: The forgotten Filipino
America usually does not forget her friends. Indeed, our country has been going far to help some who abuse our aid and betray our trust. It is more than strange, therefore, that we are neglecting a small and weak friend of great loyalty to whom we have special obligations. Yes, the Philippines.
Perhaps Americans have not been aware of the facts, and their officials in Washington have been too busy with other things. Nevertheless, the result has been the same as if we had deliberately wiped from our minds the memory of common sacrifice at Bataan.
It is not too late to do something about the matter, though the time is short. High Commissioner McNutt has hurriedly returned from Manila to report the emergency to the president and Congress. He says:
“The Philippines exist today in an economic blind alley. They are not living on constructive work. That we have denied them by our inaction in Washington. The Commonwealth’s reserve funds and revenues are being exhausted, and there are no new sources in prospect. Capital investments have been destroyed. The national economy has been paralyzed. Unless the United States acts, and acts swiftly, the Philippines will find themselves an independent nation, true, but a nation without means of livelihood.”
The president and Congress have promised to help bind up the wounds of that country bled white by the Jap invaders. Legislation has been prepared and is waiting, but nothing happens.
Two pending measures are of utmost urgency to meet the emergency. One is the Bell Bill, which would provide an initial period of free trade before a gradual raising of the tariff wall against the islands. The other is the Tydings Bill, granting $450 million to cover war damages. The two measures are supplemental. Both should be enacted at once.