The Topeka state journal., 1902-02-13

effect the colonial system involves the
principles of difference of citizenship.
inequality of rights and other conse-
quent abuses and injustices, of all OF
which we Filipinos were surfeited un-
der the Spanish government and for
this reason we reject everything which
tends toward colony. Philippine in
dependence, with or without proteC-
torate, means holding of power by all
the tribal elements of the sects which
predominate and would predominate
still for some years. until the anger of
F1HpinoS toward F1lipinOS shall have
been completely calmed, education be-
come general and the fanaticism we
have inherited from Spain eSiled. Fed
GRAFTON or annexation would settle all
these difficulties by concentration of the
interest of the Filipino people upon ed
ucation and labor"
The n memorialists then pray a decla-
ration by the congress of the United
States to the effect that the Philippine
islands as they are described in the
treaty of Paris and the subsequent con-
vention with Spain are an integral part
of the United States, the said Philip
pine islands constituting a territory
with the rights and privileges which
the constitution of the United States
grants to the other territories such as
that of becoming a state of the union.
A preliminary form of government
similar to that of the territories of the
United States is outlined as suitable
for the Philippines. The plan provides
for governor and four executive sec
retaries to be appointed by the presi-
dent of the United States and for a
territorial senate. in addition to a house
of representatives consisting of thirty
members, sixteen of whom are to be
elected by the people and the Others ap-
pointed by the governor. The memorial
asks that the islands be represented
in the United States house OF represen-
tatives by two delegates.
The second part of the memorial sets
forth the aspirations of social and
economical character. the principal or
which the memorial represents to be the
securing of a rem edy of the ancient
evil known as the friar." Under this
designation the memorial includes all
the religious orders now existing in the
islands. The memorial says of the lat
ter that they constitute an element
which are visibly opposed TO the Eli
pino people securing the noble ends
gained by the constitution of the United
States. and continuing it is declared
that the abuses of these orders have
been the cause of the bloody struggles
of the past and of the deep hatred ex-
listing between the friars and people of
the Philippine islands. Congress -
asked to take such steps to remedy this
evil. and special attention Is urged to
the resolutions made. by Governor Taft.
Complete and general amnesty to the
Philippine people is asked.
In the pacifed portion of the islands.
the memorial says there are thousands
of prosecutions brought against the
revolutionists who have surrendered 10
American sovereignty for acts of vio-
lence committed while they were in the
field and prior to their surrender. In
this connection the memorial asserts
that there are many revolutionistS who
have thus submitted who have been
now deported 10 distant islands or who
are undergoing sentences in 1ails and
prisons while their families suffer the
greatest sorrow and want. Tfis con-
dition of affairs the n memorialists con-
slider a great obstacle to complete paci-
Iication. Other requests made are for
a satisfactory monetary system and for
the approval of the acts of the Amerf-
can Philippine commission.