Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-04-05
FLIP mos TOLD
WILSON READY To
GRANT FREEDOM
Baker Assures Special Mission
That He Is Sure Mind of the
President Is Made to Grant
Independence,

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wsEl
Washington, April 4.-MemGors of
the special mission of the Philippine
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 he believed 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 American
people loved liberty too dearly to deny
ii to others.
He read a letter by President Will
son when he went to Europe, express
ing the hope that the mission would
result in bringing about the desira-
bic ends set forth in the joint reso-
luton 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-
WINGED him that the obstacles to indie
pendence that appeared to exist few
days ago had been cleared away
The mission, including forty promi-
nent Fflipinos, headed by Manuel
Quezon, president of the senate, upon
being received in Secretary Bakers
office today, presented formal me-
mortal asking independence and point
ing particularly to the record of the
Philippines in the great war.
In replying, the secretary read Pres
ident Wilson's letter addressed to him
under date of March 8. 1t was as fol-
| lows:
will you please express to the gen.
| tlemen of the commission represent
| ing the Philippine Legislature my re-
| greet that | shall be unable to see
| them personally on their arrival in
| Washington, as well as my hope that
! their mission will be a source of sat
isfaction to them and that it will re-
| suit in bringing about the desirable
ends set forth in the joint resolution
| of the legislature approving the send
! ing of the commission to the United
States.
II have been deeply gratified 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 peonle OF
the United States, have been with rea-
son, taking the deepest pride in the
loyalty and support of the Filipino
| people
Though unable to meet the COM
mission, the Filipino people shall not
! be absent from my thoughts. Not the
least important labor of the confer
! ence which now REQUIRES my atten-
tiens is that of making the pathway
of the weaker people of the world
less perilous--a labor which should
\ be. and doubtless is of deep and abid-
| ing interest to the Filipino people.
+ 81 am sorry that T. cannot look in
the faces of the gentlemen of this
mission Of the Philippine islands and
tell them all that have in mind and
heart as | 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 it truly to them, my own
! feeling" ~.