New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-11
ry.president Quotes Wilson to
Show That the Islanders Are
NOT Yet Ready for Self
Government.
WRONG TO CUT THEM LOOSE
senor ouezon, Delegate of the
Islands, Makes Plea for
Their independence at
Dinner of Philip
pine Society.

Quotations from President Wilson
were used by ex-President Taft and
Manuel Quezon, Delegate TO Congress
from the Philippine Islands, at the
dinner Of the Philippine Society at the
Plaza last night to prove that the
Philippine Islands both should and
should not have immediate freedom.
Sehor Quezon was first to quote the
President. II was in the midst Of an
impassioned speech, in which he de-
clared that nothing but complete inde-
pendence would satisfy the Filipinos.
81 would rather starye as a free man
than be fed as a mere thing" was the
Iouotation from one of the writings Of
the President that Sefor Quezon de-
clared expressed not only his feelir-s
but the feelings Of the seven and a half
million little brown brothers" in the
Far East
And then. after Sefor Quezon had
finished and had been followed by
Bishop Charles H. Brent, who just re-
turned from the Philippines, Professor
Taft arose and, declaring that the Fill
lpinos were not fit at the present time
for self government, said:
President Wilson has been cited
here. Now you will find in his 'Consti-
tutional Government that he says that
self lf-government is not something that
you can give: il is the character Of "A
people, and until they acquire that
character they are not capable of self
government"
Professor Taft added that the Fill
pnos lacked this character that went
to make self-government, but that the
Americans in the island were trying 10
give it to them, step by step, and that
we're the American government TO cut
the ties that bound il TO the Philip
pines era doubts existed as to
whether or not the liberties Of all the
people in the Philippines would be con-
served by any government admins
tered entirely by Filipinos.
Professor Taft, who was in fine voice.
was worked up to a high pitch Of elo-
quence by the impassioned address Of
sehor Quezon. The diners knew what
was coming when General Luke f.
Wright. who succeeded Professor Taft
as Governor General Of the Philippines,
arose to introduce him and every man
and woman in the big hall arose and
eheered.
The ex-President began by recalling
some Of the incidents Of his four years
stay in the Philippines. which he de-
scribed as the most exciting and
strenuous OF his life. II was not long
before he sailed into the Democratic
party for making pledge that it would
give freedom TO the Philippines.
Not Ready for Independence.
1T is very ungracious part" he
continued, TO tell people that they
are not in a condition TO enjoy that
which they are aspiring TO, in a way
which will best benefit them. The Phil
'ppine Islands were thrust upon us by
accident, and We found a people thrust
upon US who needed guardianship. a
people who during the time they had
sef-lndependence did not prove them
selves capable of IT. And then we
heard, what We have heard here to-
night, they want self-independence.
They want it because they want II. But
our duty goes beyond that. We are
Continued on ninth page, sixth column.