The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-04
Baker Says Time Has Come for
Philippine Freedom.
Appeal Is Made to e. s. for
Government by People.
MISSION is IN WASHINGTON
Independence Is Great National
Ideal of People.
Complete Wishes Are To Be
Granted, Says Baker.

legislature here seeking immediate in
dependence for the islands, were told
today by Secretary Baker that he
spoke President Wilson's mind when
he said the time had come to grant
the complete independence desired by
the Filipino people
The war secretary also said he be-
lieved the mission would be able to
carry home word that the people loved
liberty too dearly to deny it to others.
He read letter left by President
Wilson when he went to Europe ex-
pressing the hope that the mission
would result in bringing about the
desirable ends set forth in the joint
resolution of the legislature"
Francis Burton Harrison, governor
general of the Philippines followed
Mr.. Baker with the statement that his
experience in the islands had con-
vinced him that the obstacle to in
dependence that appeared to exist
few years ago had been cleared away.
The Philippine appeal for indepen-
dence was laid before the United
States government today by mission
consisting of forty prominent natives
of the islands, headed by Manuel L.
Quezon, president of the Filipino
senate.
Declaring that the islands stood by
you," in the tight for the rights and
liberties of small nations" Quezon,
speaking for the mission. said that
granting of independence to his coun-
try will prove to the world that Amer
lea is "liberating rather than a con-
quering nation"
People Sent Mission.
His speech follows: THE Philippine
legislature at the behest of the Fill
pino people sent this mission to the
United States bearing the message of
good will, gratitude and respect from
all the inhabitants of the Philippine
Islands.
."The mission is charged with a high
and solemn obligation. 1t is instruct
ed to present the great cause SO es-
sential and necessary to the happiness
and existence of the entire Filipino
people. I refer to our national birth
right to be free and independent. We.
therefore, formally submit hereby the
vital and urgent question of Philippine
independence to you and thru you to
the government of the United States
in the confident hope that it shall
merit a just, righteous and final set
tIement.
'Independence is the great national
ideal of the Filipino people. The MEM
bers of the Philippine mission here,
representing all elements of Philippine
/ life, are one, and all ready to testify
, TO the absolute truth of this assertion.
We believe that this is the proper time
I to present the question, looking to a
| favorable and decisive action, beca use
| of the declared and uniform policy of
America to withdraw her sovereignty
over the Philippine Islands and to
recognize our independence as soon
as stable government can be estab-
/ lished. That there is now a stable
/ government iii the Philippines, man.
aged and supported by the people
themselves and that it can and will be
maintained under an independent
I Df1T1 fr.raf
! of your own official representatives,
Governor General Harrison and Acting
| Governor General Yeater, will bear
, out This fulfillment of this solemn
promise you owe to yourselves, to sus
and to humanity at large.
Fought for Independence.
I'VE also find inspiration and justi-
fication for our decision to appeal at
| this time to the government and peo-
pie of the United States for the grant
I ing of our independence in the declar-
! alton of principles for the preservation
! of which America in the recent world
war held life and property cheap.
America fought for the liberty, the
! self-goyernment and the indicated
development of all peoples. and cheer
fully assumed her full share in the war
| for the liberation of all people every
where The American people were
willing to dedicate their lives and their
! fortunes and everything that they were
and everything that they had for the
| things you have always carried near
est your hearts-'for democracy for
the right of those who submit to au-
thority to have .. ice in their own
governments for the rights and liber-
ties of small nations
Mr. Secretary, may 1 be permitted
| to recall at this juncture that in fight
| ing for SO high and noble ideals the
7 hax CT
ing the critical years of the gigantic
| struggle and, to man, were ready
nay anxious, to shed their blood side
by side with your own soldiers
! Il beg leave to place in your hands
Mr.. Secretary, a document l have with
me. 1t contains instructions of the
Philippine legislature to the inde.
pendence commission to present the
question of independence to the United
States and amply set forth their basis
for appealing for Independent national
existence. Will it be necessary to re.
peat that we have always beer
pleased to recognize that. with the
| helping hand of the United States. the
Philippines saw prosperity and prog
ress unprecedented Thru the Joint
labor Of Americans and Filipinos. the
(, history of your occupation of the is
lands is replete with achievement
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 thar
you-will understand why. even un.
der such conditions. your people still
crave independence, that they. too
4 may be sovereign masters of theiI
own destinies.
Sir, when our national independ
ence shall be granted us. the woric
will know that the people of America
are indeed bearers of the good will
the protection and the richest bless
ing of a liberating rather than con
: uuering nation and that it was oui
! liberty. not your power: our welfare
not your gain you sought to enhanct
in the Philippinec."