Many telephones out of action due to yesterday’s small flood.
Talked, however, with Quezon on the telephone.
Press carries a statement that the President opposes the transfer of Provincial Treasurers to the Department of Finance, but will submit the question to his Cabinet on Monday.
Received the May 1st copy of the Japan Times from the Japanese Consulate here, containing a special issue on Japan-Philippines relations with a very frank article by Debuchi, former Japanese Ambassador to the United States analyzing commercial and political difficulties of the Commonwealth. Also an article by Marquis Tokugawa expressing friendship and desire for more intimate relations with the Philippines. Also a plea by a Japanese businessman for tariff revision in the Philippines. Likewise, two very sensible articles putting forward Japan’s side of the Davao case, and estimating the investment there by Japanese variously from 50 million to 100 million yen. Also an article and speech by Manuel A. Alzate, chairman of the committee on Foreign Affairs of the Philippine Assembly. He begins by acknowledging their cultural debt to Spain and to United States and their economic and political debt to latter, but “This state of things, nevertheless is not bound to continue. Several forces are now at work tending to bring the Philippines into closer communion with the other countries of the Far East.” He analyses trade as it now exists between Japan and the Philippines and shows how one-sided it is, and insists Japan must buy more Philippine products: “Your country by reason of her geographical proximity and her present industrial development is an ideal market for Philippine products.”
The local papers here, print increasing accounts of “good-will” visits of Filipinos to Japan; also visits there of other prominent Filipinos in consequence of the “T.V.T.” newspaper contests here for “popularity” etc. All this movement and activity has sprung from the general belief outside the government circles here that the Philippines are a part of the Orient and had better make the best of the situation.” The recent coldly hostile attitude of the United States Congress etc., is having its effect, and underlying government influence here is no doubt stressing the necessity for an earnest study of their relations with Japan. The Japanese are making an evident attempt to show courtesy and consideration for the visiting Filipinos. All of the above shows that the Filipinos are making a real attempt (rather under cover) to face their fears and meet the dragon with out-stretched hand.
Received a wire that Doria is back in Shanghai; I hope the increasing troubles and public disturbances in China due to Japanese activity in the North will remain comparatively innocuous while she is there!