New-York tribune., 1913-10-22
ASSEMBLY
GRATEFUL TO WILSON
President Thanked for Giving
Control of Commission
to Natives.
PLEASED WITH HARRISON
His Appointment Regarded as
Harbinger of New Era,
with independence
Not Far Away.
lFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

(From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Oct. Elm long mes
! sage cabled to the Secretary OF war TO-
day the members of the Philippine AS
sembly review their efforts to obtain IN
! dependence, from the time when they
| fought against Spain until now, ana eA-
/ press their thanks for the action or
! President Wilson in giving to Filipinos
control of the Philippine Commission
which is, they say, evidence that they
| have not waited in vain. They accept
| the message from President wilson with
love and gratitude and consider 1T
categorical declaration Of the purpose or
the nation to recognize the indepen-
| dence of the islands
| The selection of Governor Harrison Is
considered an unmistakable harbinger
OF the new area. The message reads:
1--WE. the representatives OF the Fill
| pino people. constituting the Filipino
| Assembly, solemnly declare that II Is
| evident to us that the Filipino people
have the right to be free and indepen-
dent, so that in advancing alone along
the road of progress II will on Its own
responsibility work out It's prosperity
and manage its own destinies for all the
| purposes of life.
This was the aspiration OF the people
when 1t took up arms against Spain. and
| the presence of the American flag, hrst
on Manila Bay and then In the interior
of the archipelago did not modify, but
rather encouraged and strengthened, the
| aspiration, despite all the reverses suf-
| fered in war and difficulties encountered
in peace.
Continued Loyalty Cited.
Being called to the ballot box, the
| people again and again ratified this as
piration. and. since the inauguration
OF the Philippine Assembly. the national
| representative body. has been acting In
accordance with the popular will only.
! thus, in the midst OF the most adverse
! circumstances. the ideal OF the people
never wavered and was respectfully and
! frankly brought before the powers OF
| the sovereign country on every propi-
tious occasion.
! "On the other hand. our faith in the
| justice ~ the American people was rs
/ great and persistent as our ideal. We
! have waited in patience. confident that
sooner or later all errors and iniustices
would be redressed.
rThe message OF the President Of the
| United States to the Filipino people Is
| eloquent proof that we have not waited
in vain. We accept said message with
| love and gratitude and consider IL a cate
,gorical declaration OF the purpose OF the
nation TO recognize the independence OF
J the Islands.
! The immediate step OF granting us
majority on the commission. places in our
hands the instruments OF power and re-
/ sponsibilty for the establishment by our
! selves OF stable Filipino government.
| We fully appreciate and are deeply CRATE
| ful for the confidence reposed I'm us by
| the government OF the United States.
Hsrrison's Choice Pleasing.
I'VE look upon the appointment Of the
| Hon. Francis Burton Harrison as Gov
ernor General as the unmistakable har-
binger OF the new era I'm which we expect
| the attitude Of the people TO be one OF
| cooperation, ard. finally. we believe
| happily the experiments OF Imperialism
| have come to an end. and that Colonial
! exploitation has passed into history.
The epoch Of mistrust has been closed
and the Filipinos. upon having thrown
] open 10 them the doors OF opportunity,
are required to assume the burden OF
responsibility. which II would be inexcus-
able cowardice on their part to avoid or
decline. owing to this. a few days have
! sufiiced to bring about a good under
/ a
| pinos, which 1t had been impossible to
| establish during the thirteen years past.
I'VE are convinced that every onward
| step, while relieving the American gov
| ernment OF its responsibilities In the ISL
ands, will, as in the past. fully demon
| strate the present capacity OF the Fill
| pino people to establish a government OF
| their own. and guarantee in a permanent
manner the safety under such govern
ment OF the life. property and liberty OF
the residents OF the islands. national as
well as foreign.
we do not wish TO say by this that
| there will not be difficulties and embar-
| rassments nor do We even expect that
| the campaign, open or concealed, OF tho
enemies OF the Filipino cause will cease
soon but we feel sure that through
| conservative use OF the powers intrusted
to us, the Filipino people will. with Gods
| favor and the help OF America, emerge
triumphantly from the test. however
| difficult II may be"
President Wilson's appointment OF four
native Filipinos to the Philippine Com
mission will not he confirmed by the Sen
ate until assurances have been given that
| the new officials will use their utmost
efforts to stamp out slavery In the Islands.
Senator Borah has made II known that
he will use every effort TO prevent con-
| nrnnaiInn unless he Is assured OF their