The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-05-02


WASHINGTON, April 25.--"It is
as it always has been, the purpose
of the people of the United States
to withdraw their sovereignty over
the Philippine Islands and to rec
ognize their independence as soon
as a stable government can be es-
tablished therein"
This is the official hope that the
American government has held out
to 100000 Filipinos ever since
American occupation.
Now come the Filipinos, through
the Philippine Mission, bringing
an imposing array of proof to the
effect there is already stable gov
eminent is the Philippines. They
also point to the testimony of Gov
ernor General Harrison and Acting
Governor Yeater, the two highest
American officials in the Islands,
who in the light of their experience
in the Philippines, agree not only
that stable government can be
established, but that one is already
in existence.
The Philippine Mission asks,
therefore, that independence now
be granted at the earliest possible
date. The Mission is an official
body 1t was appointed by the
Philippine legislature at the behest
of the Filipino people to come to
the United States at this time and
work for independence, and ito
promote better understanding,
greater confidence, and closer eco
nomic relations between the United
States and the Philippines.
Here is what Governor Harrison,
who has been for six years Governor
General of the Islands, said on the
subject of Philippine independence,
while speaking at the Knickerbock
err Club in New York:
by temperament, by experience,
by financial ability, in every way,
the ten millions of Filipinos are en-
titled to be free from every govern
ment except of their own choice.
They are intelligent enough to de-
cid for themselves.
Il have found the native Filipino
official to be honest, efficient and
as capable of administering eXecu-
tive positions as any men | have
met anywhere in the world.
These officials are today gov
erning one thousand municipalities
and forty-two provinces, econom-
ically, efficiently, and for the good
of the entire people. They have a
native congress including many
graduates of Yale, Princeton, Har-
ward and other American Univer-
stiles Other members are graduates
of Santo Tomas and other Philip
pine Universities, and in education
and ability they compare favorably
with any | know.
They have leaders like Speaker
Osmena, of the House of Represent
atives, and President Quezon, of the
Senate, who would adorn any Of
flee.
THE Philippines are away ahead
of the United States in successful
government ownership and opera
ton of public utilities.
The government took hold of
the steam railways and made them
pay a profit of 100000 pesos a
year more than under private own
ership.
1T took hold of the highways,
and we have 1000 miles of the best
macademized roads in the world.
The Manila City Government is
about to take over the street rail-
ways and the gas and electric plants
while the Territorial Government is
arranging for ownership and con-
troll of the coal supply.
1.-THE movement for independence
is a peaceful one. No territory was
more loyal to Uncle Sam during the
war. 1t offered an armed and
equipped division to our govern
ment, gave it a submarine destroy
err, and oversubscribed Liberty
Loans and Red Cross funds.
1.-TWO million natives speak Eng
lish fluently, and there are 100000
English-speaking children in the
public schools.
81 am more than willing to retire
if the Filipinos can be granted
what they deserve-a government
like that of the United States.
There is no present indication
II he