The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-17
URGES JONES BILL
Henderson s. Martin of Kansas
Before Senate Committee.
Should Not Delay Philippine
Independence, He Says.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Prompt
passage of the pending bill to give
the Philippine Islands greater meas
ure of self government, the preamble
of which declares the purpose of this
government to grant complete indie
pendence when a stable government
has been erected there was urged be-
fore the senate Philippines committee
today by Henderson s. Martin. vice
governor of the islands.
Explaining that he spoke for him
self, without seeking to reflect the
Washington or Manila, Mr.. Martin de-
clared he believed definite date
upon which complete independence
would be granted should be an
nOunced.
1.-The Filipinos believe, and have be-
lieved ever since the American occu-
PATTON" he said, that we would do
Just what this preamble says we will
do. They confidently expect the pass
age of the bill, and to amputate the
our good intentions toward Them"
Mr.. Martin said he did not look
with favor upon suggestions that an
international agreement for the neu-
tralization of the group be sought
Il cannot understand in what way
we would lose by granting complete
independence, he explained. 1.-The
islands are of no value to us CONNER
cially under our present system of
government and they are a positive
weakness from military standing"
Capable of Self Government.
Mr.. Martin was satisfied the Fill
pinos were capable of governing them
selves. Were the money available, he
said,- it would be possible to increase
the 100000 public school children to
100000 in a short time, as he had
never seen such eagerness to learn.
Regarding the treatment which
might be given the non-Christian peo-
pies by a wholly Filipino legislature,
Mr.. Martin said work among these
tribesmen now was directed by Fill
pino chairman who displayed more
earnestness to serve the wild people
than an American might be expected
to show under similar circumstances
Brigadier General Frank Mcintyre,
Chef of the bureau of insular affairs
submitted an opinion today that pro-
vision OF the bill widely extending the
electorate of the islands should be
omitted. The war department believes,
he said, that as an election would close
ly follow the enactment of the new law
granting franchise to all citizens
capable of reading and writing "a ma
tive language" The department rec
commended also that right of American
residents Of the islands to vote or hold
Office be safeguarded in the bill of
rights and that an auditor and civil
service director for the Philippines be
appointed by the president.
Viewing the measure as a whole Gen
eral Mcintyre said the department be-
lieves it to be conservative and ex
cellent measure which would be to the
great advantage of the Filipinos.''
Former President Taft will appear
before the committee probably early in
January, and Dean Worcester, formerly
Filipino commissioner. will testify on
him today.
Senator Hitchcock, chairman of the
committee asked Mr.. Martin to attend
these hearings. suggesting that both Mr..
Taft and Mr.. Worcester probably will
express different views from those you
hOld''