The Power of Congress to Alienate United States Territory with Special Reference to the Philippines

Until recently the discussions on the Philippine question have revolved around social, political and economic issues. However, the idea of Philippine independence, bent on retaining the islands for purposes of their own, have recently brought out a legal issue in which they contend that Congress can not constitutionally grant independence to the Filipinos. They point out the fact that the government of the United States is one of limited and enumerated power to alienate territory was not included. Therefore, they claim, the granting of independence to the Filipinos by the Congress, being an alienation of territory, is unconstitutional.