Evening star., 1914-12-31
SAYS UPRISING STORIES
:, DIRECTED At F|l|P|NOS
Representative Jones Accuses Com
mercial Interests of Trying to
Halt Independence.
With Representative Cooper, He
Speaks at Banquet of Fill
pino Club.

That reports of Filipino uprising
sent out from Manila may be regarded
as the last gaspng efforts of those
who are trying to prevent the estab-
lishment of an Independent government
in the Philippines was the declaration
of Representative William A. Jones,
chairman of the House committee on
insular affairs and author of the Philip
pine independence bill, in an address
at the annual Rial day dinner of the
Filipino Club of Washington at the
Willard Hotel last night.
Sentiment in America is overwhelm-
ingly in favor of Filipino independence,
and commercial interests which are
trying to exploit the islands have about
reached the conclusion that the United
States will not stand for their further
activity, he said.
Representative Jones and Representa-
tive Henry A. Cooper of Wisconsin,
former chairman of the insular affairs
committee, who was largely instru-
mental in bringing about the estab-
lishment of the present organic gov
ernment in the Philippines, were the
principal speakers at the dinner, which
was attended by twenty-five Filipinos
and number of American guests
Manuel l.. Quezon, resident commits
sioner of the Philippines, presided as
POSTMASTER.
Both members of Congress predicted
that the time is not far distant when
the Filipinos will be permitted to gov
ern themselves. That they are qualified
for this duty was the emphatic state
ment of each.
Duty to Do Justice.
I'VE went to the Philippines to bring
liberty to a down. -trodden people," de-
clared Representative Cooper. "It is
our duty today to see that justice is
done them"
Representative Cooper referred feel
ingly to the life of Jose Rizal. the Fill
pino patriot, who went to a martyrs
death at the hands of the Spaniards in
1896. He concluded his address by
quoting Rizal's last message. written
in his cell on the eve of his execution.
Representative Jones. who has been
in i'll health. was applauded when he
declared that he would not have sought
reelection to Congress but for his de-
sire to aid in bringing about the enact
ment of the Philippine independence
bill. He referred to a published report
that Gen. Aguinaldo is mounting rapid
fire guns, and declared that dissemi-
nators of reports of threatened upris-
ings must be ignorant to believe that
the American people are so dense and
stupid as to swallow such stories.
The insular affairs committee chair
man told of a visit he paid to Gen.
Aguinaldo, and of his high impression
of that officer both as a soldier and a
gentleman. Filipinos are justified in
referring to Aguinaldo as the George
Washington of the Philippines, he said.
Representative Jones also declared that
Rizal ranks among the greatest patriots
the world has ever produced, and as
serted that the influence of his life
would last always.
Time Ripe for Liberty.
In introducing the speakers Chair
| man Quezon told of the part each had
played in the development of the
Philippines under American rule. lie
declared that his countrymen have
confidence in the promises of the
United States to permit the establish
| ment of an Independent government in
the Philippines. and that they believe
| the time is now ripe for the bestowal
of this grant of liberty. ~
| Other speakers were Eu1oe36 nitez
| and Maximo NJ. Kalaw, memb1of the
club. Both said that the American
| principles of freedom and justice will
| flourish on Philippine soil, and that
| the grant of these privileges should
| not longer be withheld.
| Fate has thrown us together and to-
| gether We must work out the Filipino's
| independence" declared Mr.. Benitez.
Officers of the Filipino Club are Man
uel L. Quezon, honorary president
Manuel Earnshaw. honorary vice presi-
| dent; Maximo NJ Kalaw, president
| Epifanio Pauline. vice president; Cesar
Carballo. secretary; Jose De Leon
treasurer. and Vincento Racaza, ser.
| geant-at-arms.