Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-11
garrison Defends
PHILIPPINES BILL
SECRETARY EXPLAINS OBJECTS
or PENDING MEASURE TO
SENATE COMMITTEE.
CLAIMS DEMOCRATS ARE
CARRYING OUT OLD POLICY
Garrison Scores Critics Of Measure
and Says Preamble Is FuIfillment OF
Promises Made by Administration OF
President Taft-stories Of Recent
Disturbances Held Esasserat'ons.

Washington, Jan. 11.--Why the adj
ministration is insisting upon passage
of the pending bill to enlarge the
measure of self government or the
Philippine Islands was explained TO
the senate Philippine committee today
by Secretary Garrison.
In a long prepared statement. he de-
clared the measure had been improp-
erly termed the Philippine independ-
ence bill" and that it was merely
step with proper safeguards. towards
self-government and exactly IN line
with promises held out TO the f1llpinos
for wears by the United States.
The preamble, which would declare
the intention of the United States to
ultimately grant complete independ-
ence to the islands, Secretary Garrison
said was but a repetition CT pledges
already made over and over again.
What the next step should be- he
said, when it should be taken, what
conditions would properly surround the
grant of absolute independence, ana
other like speculations it seems to me
are idle and their consideration at this
time would only be confusing.
Disturbances Deemed Petty.
In view of the recent exaggerated
accounts of petty disturbances in the
islands, the secretary said 1t was par
ticularly interesting to note that for
ner President Taft. when governor
general of the islands. had said that
as a result of the attitude of the
American press and of the American
merchant in mis- hostility 10 the Fill
pino every small ladrone fight, every
discomfort the constabulary suffered,
was exaggerated and made the basis
for inference that conditions in the
islands We're retrograding rather than
improving"
What the United States should do
concerning the Philippines said Mr..
Garrison in opening his statement,
4, "can only be determined properly by
keeping two things constantly in mind:
One, the duty Of the United States TO
itself; and the other, its duty in view
of the. pledges and assurances it has
made to the Filipino people.
The United States has assumed re-
sponsibiiities with respect to the
Philippines, which. in the highest
Y spirit of self respect, it must discharge
Z rightfulIy at whatever cost. 1t is a
whether we should have acquired the
Philippine islands, or whether having
I acquired them, we should have set out
+ upon the course of improving the ma
s terial prosperity of their people, ed
ucating them, introducing means OF
communication and transportation and
4 building up commerce, internal and
external, as we have done. 1t is equal
II ~ protitless to discuss whether those
who spoke on behalf of the United
u States should have made the repeated
81 statements concerning our attitude
u with respect to the Filipino people,
Y which statements are in their nature
assurances or pledges concerning our
VI Intentions. We have done these things
and must abide by them. We have no
sf right now to measure our duty or our
b obligations by what would have been
our rights had we not pursued the
81 course we did pursue.
III I'VE deliberately chose TO assume an
enormous responsibility, with self
abnegation unparalleled, so far as l
81 known save in the somewhat similar
HI case OF Cuba. 1t was finely conceived,
E8 and it behooves the nation to see that
fss It Is finely carried out. Ignorance and
h prejudice increase the difficulty, and
attempts to reap partisan advantages
add to 1t.
Our Citizens Ignorant.
Our citizens know so pitiably lit
tie about this great problem. They do
not realize, save in very vague way
how the honor OF the nation-which is
collectively their honor, thing which
they individually hold so dear-is
Sitally involved in proper considera-
ton and treatment of this matter. II
1t NJ
to attempt to divert them from its
proper settlement by paltry lies and
shameful Misrepresentation. THAI
euch do now affect the public mind is
due entirely to lack Of knowledge Or
the part of the public.
THE terms and provisions of the
bill you have before you are not known
or understood by our people. If theJ
had its provisions in mind, they would
laugh at derision at those who suggest
that it is inadvisable to consider this
bill now because of the existing war
The very slightest consideration Of
the actual provisions of this bill wouIt
"a convince any inquirer that there was
nothing whatever in It which made il
81 inadvisable or inappropriate to con-
g slider the matter at this time. 1t il
& not too strong statement 10 say tina
were every ma ton on earth including
our own, at war there is nothing II
this bill which would make its consid
IL esa tim ina pnrnnriate on tina. account
The bill is so framed as to proyid
another step along the line of self
Efe government. The wisdom and prophet.
s Of It can only be determined by keepini
ss n mind the two view points frs
lyT inverted to and by considering the his
szHtS IT.