Just a minute. If we grant them independence and place them where they will have to compete with other Asiatic nations we shall see them competing with the Chinese and the Javanese. because in southern China and in Java the products are similar to those of the Philippines. If the Senator thinks that after having raised them to a standard of living that is entirely different from that of their neighbors it is a part of our duty as their guardians. looking after 13.000.000 people as our wards. to place them suddenly where they must compete with the people of southern China. whose daily wage is 10 or 15 cents. and the people of Java. who are in a state of almost serfdom. where their crops and everything else are entirely under government supervision. where their wages are not more than 10 or 15 cents a dayif the Senator thinks it is fair to them to force them suddenly to compete with southern China and Java in the markets of the world and reduce the Filipino population to the level of their neighbors. the Senator. of course. is entirely within his rights.