New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-21
Cardinal Opposes Jones Bill IN
Congress for U. S. to Relln-
uuish Control in 1921.
HIGH PRAISE FOR TAFT
Prelate Proud of Government s
Record-Favors Committee
to Make Study Of
Islands.

bill. pending in Congress, Wnlch "oui'
-eltnouish United States control OF the
PHILIPPINES in 1871 His message TO l"e
nation was obtained by THE Boston
Evening Transcript Cardinal Giooohs
wrote
The future Of the Philippine lslsnos -
=. problem tina. belongs TO the who're
American neople Al no time shouId IL
be considered from any partisan s'anu,
point. To its solution the pest 'Ious"'
OF the country should be devoted a"N
:he efforts OF our government III INA.
rsction deserve the loyal support Oh d"
Americans. without regard 10 creed 'e
Ngous or political.
The gradual progress and deVe!oplhc"'
OF the Fiilpinos and their e0uca'io" 90
the difficult science OF self-g0Nefn'He"I
under the wise and benev client poicy pur-
sued ny this nation since the American
occupation is threatened by the propoSa'
nerdinr before Congress 10 commit the
government 20 abandon those ISLANDS az
Axed time in the future-ano mat o'''
few years away.
Those islands were taken as ""i
measure. Come may think il would nave
been better Sor Us never to have eNer-
c.sed our Jurisdiction over them ont once
American sovereignty was estaphshed III
that archipelago the responslo!h'! io'
the welfare and development or the m
r,iros deyolvtd upon the American peop.e'
ard upon our shoulders it rests TO-DAY
am irrevoca5ly opposed 20 any pro
nosal that would commit this nation 10
10 Islands
to-day. tomorrow or al any liked time IN
the future. and ! say this whoilE ~ inc
interest OF the social. material ana mora
advancement OF the people or the Ihl'eu
state. OF whom am proud 90 be rei-
low citizen. no less than Of ths ffhpinos
themselves.
Fiipiros Not Consulted.
In the first place. J maintain that we
Filipinos-the vast majority of them 81
anv rate-have never been consulted re-
aarding their independence The ISLANDS
composing the archipelago number over
three thousand and are widely scattered
The people OF one island have little or
no relation with the inhabitants Of an
other. No attempt has been made to as
certain the views Of these segregated
groups upon the question 50 vital 20
them as 10 whether they shall be turned
adrift to shift for themselves. There has
been no plebiscite. and II would require
DAYS and weeks for them 10 gather ana
register their opinions On the subject
Up 10 the present rnomen, the Fiiipinos
have no conception OF the honor and re-
.ponsioility which 1t is now proposed 10
thrust upon them. l hold IL 70 be un-
reasona bic in the extreme 10 impose both
upon men who have not even been con-
suited as 70 their wishes and have no
adequate conception o. the duties and re-
sponslbilities involved in giving tnem
their independence
Unjust to Investors.
TO withdraw from the Philippines at d
Fixed time IN the future. regardless O!
conditions in those islands. would work
serious injustice 10 the many Americans
and far-seens citizens % other countries
who have invested their money in de-
yeloping the resources Of those islands
These investments have been made on
the assumption that the Philippines
would continue under our protection in
definitely. For the United States 20 re
-erse its repeatedly declared policy with
respect 70 those islands would. in my
earnest belief be a dishonorable act. II
would work great harm 10 those in
sestors. as well as 10 the FilIpinos them
selves. for this country 10 withdraw ana
witness a resultant reign OF anarchy.
III should be borne in mind that the
development OF those islands is essential
10 the development, Of the Filipinos. Many
capitalists are disposed by an enlightened
self-interest 10 invest their capital in the
building OF railroads and in the develop
ment Of the mines and other resources oe
the archipelago, development that, re-
peat, would contribute vastly 10 the inter
est and welfare Of the Filpinos, but these
investors are not willing 10 enter upon
such enterprises unless given the guarsn-
ice Of permanent law and order in those
islands which can alone come under the
benevolent protection and guidance that
has characterized the American occupa-
ton.
II speak upon this Philippine problem
with the interest and sincerity OF an
American citizen. proud of the record
there made by our government in colonial
administration and hopeful Of the beneh
cent results which, with the patriotic pur-
huance Of that policy. the future will bring.
Nor do ! speak without information.
have been in frequent conferences with
the President upon this problem. which -
so near 10 his heart. No citizen OF the
United States is better equipped with in
formation on the conditions in those ISL
ands then President Taft. He is a man
OF close observation. judicial tempera ment
and entirely disinterested. save as every
American should be interested in seeing
mis- country DO well the task set before it.
Ia his efforts on behalf Of the common
welfare OF those islands and Of the United
states MI. Taft has shown unselfish cour-
age and patience of rare order. He was
their Governor General and had ample
opportunity 10 study the character and
mental and moral qualifications or the
Eiiplnos and 10 judge " their capacity
for self.government.
II have also recently conferred with the
present Governor General Mr. Cameron
Forbes. a gentleman who rightly enjoys
the esteem and confidence OF America and
especially OF the people Of his native state
OF Massachusetts. In addition, I have con-
ferred with many private citizens who
have spent considerable time in those ISL
ards, and for many years have been In
constant touch with the Philippine people
Though correspondence with the bishops