Gilpin observer., 1913-09-11

1
and that their neutrality be guaran-
teed by the powers which are parties
to the guarantee. 1t Is not believ-
ed that such proposition could be
rejected, and it's acceptance would
J solve the Philippine question for all
time to come.
| OF course, the PRESIDENTS views on
this subject have not been given to
the public, but those who are close
to him feel he wants to free the is
lands as soon as circumstances will
permit.
Popular With
The Filipinos.
The fact that he selected Harrison
for the exalted position of Governor
General would seem to confirm this
| view. No man in Congress was so
loved and trusted by the Filipino
people as Harrison, and none cham
i rioned their cause more courageous
ly and intelligently.
Manuel Quezon, resident commits
sioner in Washington from the Phil
pinnes, expressed the sentiments o.
his countrymen when he said at a
little reception rendered the COVER
nor before the latter quilted Wash
/ ington:
Il am almost sorry that Harrison
has been appointed governor general.
My countrymen love him. so they ma !,
why fight for freedom when we have
such a governor
Harrison is splendidly equipped for
his new post. He is one of the abb
est young men in public life. OF
bread education and ample means, he
has been leader in the nationwide
fight to overthrow special privilege.
Il IS true that he comes from Tam
many district, and it IS also true that
it is an ultra silk stocking" dis
trict. but neither fact has marred
his Democracy. In fact he is some
thing more than a Democrat. He is
what Jim Bucklin, of Grand juno
lion, would call Democratic Dem
ocrat.'
He was Oscar Underwood's chief
lieutenant in the drafting o. the tar
If bill and took conspicuous part
in the debates on that measure.
The Cost of
The IsIands.
Ten years ago Senator Hoar, a
Republican. said the Philippines had
cost us $500 900 900 in money. and
several thousand lives. What the toll
has been for the past ten years is
hard to determine, but it must be
staggering one.
turn?
l will permit my eloquent little
friend, Manuel Quezon. to answer
that qeustion. Quezon is the Ben
Franklin CT the Philippines. You re-
member that our forefathers once
sent Franklin to plead with fool
ish old English king who was a little
insane on the sabject of Imperial
ism. The foolish old king would not
listen to Franklin and the result
was years of bloodshed and the loss
of millions in money and the foolish
king did not win anything in the end.
OF course, American people are not
going to follow the example of the
foolish old king.
Quezon's
Answer.
Here is Quezon's reply to the
question which | propounded above.
1t Is an extract from speech which
he delivered in the house on Febru-
ary 13, 1913:
| There are some people in this
country whose hostility to Philippine
independence is dictated by the pro-
fits they are making or expect to
make out Of the present relationship
between the Philippines and the Unit
ed States. Who would care to deny
that the Philippines have been a
good bargain for those who have pur-
chased Philippine government bonds
at the guaranteed rate of four per
cent interest; these who own our
railroads and to whom the Philip
pine government guarantees four per
cent on every dollar they invest;
those who are benefited by the re-
bate on our hemp exported to the
United States; and those who in
spite OF the positive injunction of an
act OF congress, have been able to
acquire, hold, and exploit tracts of
our sugar lands? e.
"Of course. these interests will
leave no stone unturned to oppose
Philippine independence. but they do
not disclose the real motive that