The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-05
TRADE
 ADVANTAGES Mass Meeting Held in Manila. PETITION TO UNCLE SAM Delegations from Workmen's Organ
 izations in the Gathering. American Congress Is Petitioned To Enact Legisiation That Would
 Give rhiippines Equal
 Rights With Porto Rico.

was held today on the Luneta, the pub lie park and driveway of this city. at which q petition requesting the American Congress to enact legislation that would give the Philippine Islands equal trade advantages with Porto Rico. was adopted.
 A torrentiaI downpour of rain swept over the city just as the people were assembling and forced q postponement of the gathering, but later a large crowd re-assembled and listened to several speeches. In the gathering were several delegations from work mems organizations carrying trans parencies with the words: We Want Justice" We Want Equal Treatment with Porto Rico," and other devices.
 President Gibson. of the Merchants Association, presided. He made a stir ring speech in English. Spanish and Taglog, endorsing the petition. At the conclusion of the demonstration a bat tery of artillery fired a salute.
 The Petition.
 The petition is as follows:
 TO the American People:
 On this suspicious day. which com menlorates the birth of your wonder full Republic. 132 years ago. we. the people of the Philippine Islands, send you greeting and felicitate you upon your marvellous growth. your match Less achievements. your bolndIess prosperity.
 We deem 1t ftting that the Fourth of July should be the day chosen to make formal representations to you of our condition and our needs. Since the 18th day of August, 1898, the affairs, economic and political, of the Filiipino. have baen under the absolute control of the Government of the United States. We recognize the fact that during these ten years this relation has continued much has bean accom- plished for the advancement and up- lifting of this race and the develop ment of industry in these islands.
 We are not insensfble to the bene- fits of the great public school system, nor for the fiscal system; not of the system of railroads and public inn provements that have been inaugural ed by and with the energy. fidelity and genius of the American people. Yet. while the United States has done so much for us,s so:that much will make for the security and stability of pros perity in the future. there Is one thing that, could have been done, which, if done. would have prevented much suffering and disaster that has overtaken large body of our agri- cultural population We refer to the removal of the tariff barriers of the United States products from the PAil- ippine Islands.
 We earnestly direct your atten- ton to these facts:
 That while it Is true that labor in our deids fs poorly paid. there is good reason why it can not be better paid. The same law that applies to and con- trols other industries applies also to the agricultural industry here If the cotton trade languishes the wages of your mill operatives are reduced; as business improves, wages are advanc- ed; and it would be just as reason able to tell our hemp, sugar and to- bacco planters that if their business is not paying, their territory must turn to wheat growing, or raising cot ton as 1t would be to tell your cotton mill owners or your cotton planters that when the cotton business is de- pressed. they should turn to making iron and steel. or to raising sugar beets. We do not charge that the gov ernment of the United States is re- sponsible for the unhappy condition of industry in these islands, but we do maintain that as territory be- long, to controlled by, and de- pendent upon it. a moral obligation Is imposed that may not be justly disre- garded, to assist in every possible way the material interests of the people here. We have been made to witness the splendid development and evident prosperity of Porto Rico; that island has enjoyed the advantages of free trade with the United States and we naturally feel that if 1t were justice to so legislate in the case of Porto Rico. then full justice has not yet been done the Philippines.
 We. therefore. earnestly petition the people of the United States to inform the United States Congress to enact legislation that will give to the Philippines equal trade advantages with Porto Rico, that the economic troubles with which we are affected may be removed and these islands once more be brought to a condition of pros psrity and happiness."-
 Other Observances.
 The observance of the Fourth of July throughout the Philippine Islands was devoted largel yto notifications of the petitions sent by the people of the Philippines to the American people ask ing that the products of the islands be admitted othe American markets. The central meeting was held here where at a late hour this afternoon the large gathering on the Luneta. includ- ing several thousand Americans, rati- fled the petition. At the same time meetings with the same idea In view were held throughout the islands. Ac- cording to telegraphio reports received by the committee of the central meet ing, the signatures already afixed to the petition exceed $100.00o.
 It Is intended to continue the circu- lation of the petition until the Ameri- can Congress meets again. when 1t will be presented to Congress and the Pres ident It is hoped by that time 1t VIII have a million names.
 There was an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration at Camp McKin- ley under the direction of Brig. Gen. Tohn Fershing and a committee of of-