America. by this act. offers the transfer of property and rights acquired in the islands. with certain reservations. to the government of the Commonwealth. Congress. by this act. makes an immediate grant of a preliminary and partial Philippine sovereignty. In the words of one of the authors of the act. the " Commonwealth of the Philippines will be a semisovereign and semiindependent republic." Under it we shall enjoy "virtually complete selfgovernment." Ten years of such a government will be automatically followed by the " final and complete withdrawal of American sovereignty over the Philippines." The act contains certain immigration and trade restrictions which have been criticized by some but insisted upon by others clothed with the power to decide. The limitation on sugar in the amount of 850.000 tons has aroused considerable discussion. The sugar men in the islands contend that the quota is too low.
Keywords matched
immigration