Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-04
PRESIDENT LEFT
LETTER CARRYING
THE SAME IDEAS
The Obstacles Existing Few
Years Ago are Cleared
Away, Says Harrison.
Special Mission From Phil
ippine Legislature Here to
Discuss Question.

washington, Apfu 4.-N1eIns
bers of the special mission OF the
Philippine legislature here seek
ing immediate Independence 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 inde-
pendence desired by the Filipino
people.
The war secretary also said he
believed the mission would be
able to carry home word that the
American people loved liberty
too dearly to deny it to others. &
He read President Wilson'S let
ter addressed to him on March 3 .
when he went to Europe express.
ing the hope that the mission
would result in bringing 'about
the desirable ends set forth in
the joint resolution of the legis-
lture."
Francis Burton Harrison, gov.
efnor general of the Philippines
followed Mr.. Baker with the
statement that his experience In
the islands had convinced him
that the obstacles to independ-
ence that appeared to exist few
years ago had been cleared away.
Forty Men in Party.
The mission, including forty prom
ncnt Filipinos and headed by Manuel
Quezon, president of the senate, upon
being received in Secretary Bakers
office, presented formal memorial
asking independence and pointing
particularly to the record Of tho
Philippines in the great war.
In replying the secretary read Pres
I@kk
under date of April a. It was as fol-
lows:
will you please express to the
Of the commission repre-
senting ,the Philippine legislature my
regret that shall be unable to see
them personally on their arrival in
as we'll as nay hope that
their mission will be source of sat
isfaction to them and that it will srr-
suit an bringing abps the desirable
enhsa Get forth In thests 5alint resolution
ing Of the commission ID the United
States. :3s3
II have, been deeply gratihed 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.
Though unable to meet the COM
the Filipino people shall not
be absent from my thoughts. Not the
least important labor of the confer
ence which not requires my attention
is that of making the pathway Of the
weaker people of the world less peril
ous-a labor which should be, and
doubtless is, Of deep and abiding in
terest to the Filipino people.
II am sorry that I cannot look into
the faces of the gentlemen of this
of the Philippine islands and
tell them all that I have in mind and
with the end almost in sight. under
taken by the American and Filipino
people for their permanent benefit
1 know however, that your sentiments
are mine, in this regard. and that you
win translate truly to them my own
feelings"
Almost Independent.
Secretary Baker, in replying to Mr.
Quezon, recounted the history Of the
transition in the relations between
the American government and the ISL
ands. The island people are now vir-
tually independent, he said. the only
INK DelHS the american governor
general and the most binding of ties
that of affection. Prosperity has come
with the carrying out of the great ex-
pertinent in colonial relationship up
on which the two people embarked
he said; but the experiment itself
would have been a failure had the
Filipinos not learned, if they did moi
already have it: love of liberty, po-
litical independence.
Mr.. Baker urged the mission to Wis.
1t many American cities before i,
went back. Not only was he anxious
he said, for them to see and know
what Americans were doing anG
thinking. but he wanted the Ameri.
can people to see and know the man.
ner of men the island government Sc.
lected for such great mission.
The world was looking forward
Mr.. Baker continued. to time wher
the relations between all people
should be bottomed on justice and
peace, but whatever might come al
to the world at large. the relation.
between the people of the Philippines
CONTINUED on Page 6.)