The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-04
FILIPINOS
INDEPENDENCE

\
! the United States, the Philippines
saw prosperity and progress I'M
precedented? Through the Joint la
Dor of Americans and Filipinos, the
history Of your occupation of the
islands is replete with achievements
great and results splendid. You have
truly treated us as no nation has
ever before treated another under
its sway. And yet you--and none
better than you-wiu understand
why, even under such conditions,
your people still crave independ-
ence, that they, too. may be SOW
ereign masters of their own desti-
MES.
"Sir, when our national inde2end-
ence shall be granted us, the world
will know that the people OF Ameri-
ca are indeed hearers Of the good
will, the protection and the richest
blessing OF liberating rather than
a conquering nation, and that 1t was
our liberty, not your power; our vel
fare, not your gain. you sought TO
enhance in the Philippines.
The day is very close at hand
when independence can be formally
accomplished, Baker told the mission,
describing existing relalonS as peiuS
merely "formalities."
This he added, is the view OF the
president as well. He read letter
from the president to the mission,
which expressed pride IN the sup
port the Filipino people have given
TO the United States during the war.
The presidents letter addressed to
Secretary Baker, and read by him to
the mission, said:
VIII you please express to the
gentlemen of the commission repre-
senting the Filipino legislature, my
regret that / shall be unable to see
them personally on their arrival In
Washington, as we'll as my hope that
their mission will be source of
satisfaction TO them and that it will
result in bringing about the desir-
able end set forth in the joint reso-
luton of the legislature approving
the sending Of the commission to the
United States
Il have been deeply gratified with
the constant support and encourage
r1aut. received from the Filipino
.uery,Is and from the Philippine legis-
Iar1rrs in the trying period through
which we ara passing The people of
taken the deepest pride in the loyalty
and support Of the Filipino people.
Though unable 10 meet the COM
mission. the Filipino people shall not
be absent from my thoughts. Not the
least important labor of the confer
e1ce which now requires my atten-
ton is that Of making the pathway
of the weaker people Of the world
less pertlous-a labor which should
be, and doubtless is, OF deep ale!
abiding interest to the FilipirV
people
II am sorry that / cannot look Into
the faces OF the gentlemen of this
mission from the Philippines and tell
them all that I 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
II know, however, that your senti-
rnents are mine in this regard and
that you will translate truly to them
my own feelings"
The mission of Filipinos called at
Secretary Bakers office this morning
where they were received by the sec
rotary, Chief OF Staff March, General
Frank NJ Mcintyre, who has been in
/ charge of the insular bureau, and
iother distinguished army officers,
whose past service has brought them
| in touch with the Filipino people.
Governor General Harrison sat at
Bakers side through the ceremony
| The reading of President Wilson'S
letter brought applause and Secre-
| tary Baker was interrupted several
times by the expressions of approval
| from the delegation. At the conc1u-
sion they arose and applauded round
tIy. The greatest good feeling pre-
| vailed, many of the Filipinos being
lpersonaIiy acquainted with military
officials and others present at the re-
Iception.
| Baker took occasion to compliment
1.-THE representatives of the Filipino