The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-14
PHILIPPINE MISSION
ASKS INDEPENDENCE

Washington, June 12.--'It is for the
hest interest of both the United States
and the Philippines that the independ
ence of the latter country be recog-
nizaA and established at this tinle. J"
7 his was the KEYNOTE OF the request
Of the Philippine Mission for an inn
mediate and final solution of the
Philippine problem. made before
joint meeting of the Philippine COM
mittee of the senate and the Insular
affair committee of the house which
was called specially TO receive the me-
mortal and arguments of the repre-
sentatives of the Philippine govern
ment and the Filipino people.
Manuel l.. Quezon. president of the
Philippine senate and chairman OF the
Philippine mission, presented the me-
mortal and declared that the Filipino
people would be 'sorely disappointed"
if independence was not granted
soon He declared that the Filipino
people had no fear that Japan had
designs upon the Islands and were
perfectly willing to accept indepen-
dence either with or without guar
antee of protection by the United
States, as the latter might think best.
Francis Burton Harrison. for SIX
years governor general of the Philip
pines, urged that congress carry out
its promise of independence. He said
that the people in his opinion were
fully able to maintain stable gov
eminent He declared the Filipino
officials were as intelligent and trust
worthy as any men he had ever met
anywhere in the world,
The memorial was "a formal petit
ton that the sovereignty of the Fill
pino people over the Philippine
Islands be recognized by the United
States without further delay
~
ton, will insure the maintenance of
a firm and lastin~ friendship between
the two peoples, and viii foster the
free deve1opme OF their commercial
relations in the future; il will place on
a high level the honor of America by
the fulfillment of her repeated prom
Uses to grant freedom 10 the Filipino
people, and thus perpetuate in the
hearts of the F'ihpinos the sentiments
OF gratitude and affection which they
now entertain towards the American
people.
1T is confidently hoped and be-
lieved that the congress Will not suf-
fer this opportunity to pass by at a
time when the whole world is so anx-
ious to establish International rela-
lations upon newer and more solid
foundations of universal justice and
liberty. America has constituted her
self. and has justly been recognized
as The champion of the rights of hui
mainly in the present war, and due in
great measure to her heroic efforts
and generous aid, the world has been
saved from the thraldom of greed and
oppression. and the rights of small
and weaker nations to exist in like
manner as the great nations, vindi-
Gated
THE recognition of the indepen-
dence of the Philippines at this time
will constitute an object lesson to the
whole world in respect of the lofty and
altruistic aims which have prompted
America to take part in the great war
for it will furnish practical applica
ton of the doctrine proclaimed by her
of giving TO all peoples the right of
self determination.
For the first time in the history of
colonial relations a subject and alien
race comes to ask the severance of
their political connection with the
sovereign nation without recounting
any act of injustice done to them and
demanding PREPARATION therefor, but
rather with n feeling of gratitude and
affection. and with the object and for
the purpose of strengthening the
bonds of moral and material union
which have bound the two peoples to-
gether in an endeavor 10 establish the
reign of Justice, democracy and peace
in the world.
1t Is therefore, our purpose to base
our petition not on the injustice which
might be found by reason of the
forced subsection or the F'ilipinos. but
ON the justice of oar claim that the
national sovereignty of our people be
fully recognized, in order that we may
freely fulfill our own mission and CON
tribute To the spread and establish
ment of democracy and Christian in
stitutions in the far East,
The people OF the Philippines have
organized government under the
terms OF the Jones law which has
been in operation for nearly three
years and which has offered complete
evidence that conditions are ripe for
the establishment of an independent
government. that will he stable and
capable of maintaining law and Order.
administer justice. promote the well
fare of all the inhabitants of the
islands. and discharge as we'll it's in
ternational obligations"