New-York tribune., 1919-04-05
Wilson Favors
EarlyF' 'reeelom
OF Philippines
Continued from page I

IN Washington, as we'll as my hope
that their mission will be a source
Of satisfaction to them and that it
will result in bringing about the de-
slrable ends set forth in the joint
resolution Of the Legislature ap-
proving the sending Of the commits
sion to the United States?
III have been deeply gratifed with
the constant support and encourage
ment received from the Filipino peo-
pie and from the Philippine Legisla-
ture in the trying period through
which we are passing. The people Of
the United States have, with reason,
taken the deepest pride in the loyalty
and support of the Filipino people.
To Make Pathway Easier
Though unable to meet the COM
mission, the Filipino people shall not
be absent from, my thoughts. Not
the least important labor of the con-
ference which now requires my at
tention is that of making the path
way Of the weaker people Of the
world less Ferilous-a labor which
should be and doubtless is Of deep
and abiding interest to the Filipino
people.
81 am sorry that cannot look into
the faces of the gentlemen of this
mission of the Philippine Islands and
tell them all that ] have in mind and
heart, as I think Of the patient labor,
with the end almost in sight, under
taken by the American and Filipino
people for their permanent benefit. |
know, however, that your sentiments
are mine in this regard and that you
will translate truly to them my own
feeling"
In his statement to Secretary Baker,
Mr.. Quezon, after announcing that the
mission brought to the United States
message of good will, gratitude and
respect from all the inhabitants of the
islands, said he had heen sent by his
people formally to submit to this gov
ernment the urgent question Of their
independence, Gin the confident hope
it shall merit a just, righteous and
final settlement"
Great National Ideal
Independence is the great national
ideal of the Filipino country" Mr.
Quezon asserted. land we believe this
is the proper time to present the ques-
ton, looking to favorable and de-
cisive action. because of the declared
and uniform policy of America to with
draw her sovereignty over the Philip
pines and to recognize our independ-
ence as soon as a stable government
has been established"
The speaker paid tribute to the
United States for the manner in which
the affairs of the islands had been
administered during the period of
American occupation, which, through
the cooperation Of Americans and
he said, had brought "pros
perity and progress unpreccdented.'
Secretary Baker, in replying to Mr.
Quezon, said the island people are now
virtually independent, the only link
being the American Governor General
and the most binding of ties, that of
affection. The experiment in colonial
ton would have been failure had the
Filipinos not learned love of liberty
and political independence, he said.
Mr.. Baker urged the mission to visit
many American cities before it went
back. He was anxious, he said, for
them to see and know what Americans
were doing and thinking, and he want
ed America to see and know the man
ner of men selected for the mission
here.
The world was looking forward, Mr..
Baker continued, to time when
the relations between all people should
be bottomed on justice and peace, but
whatever might come as to the world
at large, the relations between the
people of the Philippines and the
American people we're SO founded and
there could never be anything but
peace and understanding between them
Governor Harrison said the formal
act granting independence was one
that Congness must take and that the
Administration would present the mat
ter TO Congress at the appropriate
time. He assured the mission that the
opposition here to Philippine independ
cncc had virtually vanished.
ErEnsro Cu.,c IT G.