Evening star., 1915-01-11
GARRISON URGES
PHILIPPINES BILL
In Statement to Senate Com
mittee He Explains Insist
enCe of Administration,
IN LINE WITH PROMISES
U. S. HAS MADE FOR YEARS
rs Merely Step, With Proper
Safeguards, Toward Self-Govern-
ment," He Adds.

Safeguards, Toward Self-Govern-
ment," He Adds.
Why the administration is insisting
upon passage of the pending bill to
enlarge the measure OF self-govern-
ment of the Philippine Islands is ex-
planned to the Senate Philippine COM
mittee today by Secretary Garrison.
In a long prepared statement, he de-
clares the measure has been improper
ly termed the Philippine independence
bill" and that it is merely a step, with
proper safeguards, toward self-gov-
ernment, and exactly in line with
promises held out to the Filipinos for
years 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
says. was but repetition of 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
and other like speculations, 1t seems
TO me are 1Qle ana tne1f consideration
at this time would only be confus-
ing"
Each Disturbance Exaggerated.
In view of "the recent. exaggerated
accounts of petty disturbances in the
islands," the Secretary said it was
particularly Interesting to note that
former President TAFT, when governor
- a..
a result Of the attitude Of the Ameri-
can press and Of the American mAr-
chant in his hostility to the Filipino,
every small ladrone fight, every dis
comfort the constabulary suffered, was
exaggerated and made the basis for In
ference that conditions in the islands
were retrograding rather and i'm
proving"
What the United States should do
concerning the Philippines" said Mr..
'can only be determined properly by
keeping two things constantly in mind !:
One. the duty Of the United States to
itself. and the other. it's duty in view
Of the pledges and assurances 1t has
made to the Filipino people,
THE United States has assumed re-
sponsibilities with respect to the Phil
ippfnes which, in the highest spirit of
self-respect. 1t must discharge right
fully at whatever cost. We deliberately
sibility. with a self -abnegation un-
paralleled, SO far as l know, save in
the somewhat similar case of Cuba. 1t
was finely conceived. and it behooves
the nation to see that 1t Is finely car
ried out. Ignorance and prejudice in
crease the difficulty, and attempts to
reap partisan advantages add to it.
Not Inappropriate Now.
THE terms and provisions of the bill
you have before you are not known or
understood by our people. If they had
it's provisions in mind. they would
laugh in 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 would
convince any inquirer that there was
nothing whatever in it which made it
inadvisable or inappropriate to con-
slider the matter at this time. 1t is not
too strong a statement to say that
were every nation on earth. including
our own, at war, there is nothing in
this bill which would make its con-
sideration inappropriate OH that ac-
count The bill is SO framed as to pro-
vide another step along the line of
self-government."
Secretary Garrison quoted former
President Taft as. saying in a message
in 1912:
I'VE should - endeavor to Sc
cure for the Filipinos economic inde-
pendence and to At them for complete
self-government. with the power to de-
eide eventually, according to their own
largest good. whether such self-govern-
ment should be accompanied by inde-
pendence."
In 1913. Mr. Garrison added, President
Taft described the promise in the demo-
cratic platform to recognize the inde-
pendence of the Philippine Islands "as
soon as a stable government can be es-
tablished" as IAN affirmation of policy
slightly differing from that repeatedly
announced by this and preceding re-
publican administrations"
In pursuance of the policies thus
enunciated, Mr.. Garrison said the vari-
GUS administrations in this country had
from time to time enlarged the extent
of the participation OF the Filipinos in
their government
In Line With Administration Plans
Mr. Garrison declared that the presen,
bill was the result of the plans of the
administration to take the next logica
step along the line Of testing the ca
pacity of the Filipinos for self-goyern.
ment.
I'VE have entire hope" he said, that
the Filipinos will accept this added
responsibility and make such good use
of the opportunity az. to demonstrate
its wisdom and prepare the way for the
next onward move
He directed attention to the fact tha,
to the President of the United States
was reserved the power to forbid the
enactment of any bill, even though il
be passed by the legislature over the
veto Of the governor general. and thai
trade relations between the United
states and the islands still would he
subject to tho final decision of Con-
gress. .--
"It is difficult to see what proper OBJ.
| lection can be made to the provisions
Of the bill ITSELF" said the Secretary In
: conclusion.