The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-04-05
FnPPnyOS
IN Line FOR
DQDEPE EVIDENCE
Secretary Baker els Filipino
Mission Time Has Come to
Grant Complete Free
dom Desired

Washington. April 4.-Members of
the special mission Of the Philippine
legislature here seeking 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 independence
desired by the Filipino people.
Declaring there now is q stable gov
ernment in the Philippines. managed
and supported by the people them
selves, and that 1t can and will be
maintaiped il INDEPENDENCE: Is granted
thu i1aGndE and urYtn2 thakxne~ Is the
Foprertune tfnA1 Tor presenting the
claims because OF the principles for
which the United States entered the
world war-"for the liberty, the self
government and the indicated devel-
opment of all peoples"-Manue1 l..
Quezon, chairman of the Philippine
mission today presented to Secretary
Baker the question of independence for
the Filipino people. Mr.. Baker, who
IL in charge Of Philippine affairs. this
morning formally received the entire
mission. numbering about forty mem
bers. representing all elements OF Phil
dent of the Philippine senate and FORM
er resident commissioner of the is
lands In Washington, acted as spokes-
man.
After announcing that the mission
brought to the United States a mes
sage of good will gratitude and re-
spect from all the inhabitants Of the
itlands, Mr.. Quezon stated he had been
sent by his people formally to submit
to thf sgovernment the urgent ques-
ton of their independence, in the con-
fident hope it shall merit just.
righteous and final settlement.
Independence is the great national
ideal OF the Filipino people," Mr..
Quezon asserted. '.and we believe this
is the proper time to present the ques-
tion, looking to a favorable and decis-
i've action. because of the declared and
uniform policy of America to withdraw
her sovereignty over the Philippines
and to recognize our independence as
soon as a stable government has been
There now Is a stable
government and the fulfillment of this
solemn promise you owe yourselves to
us and to humanity at large"
The speaker paid tribute to the
United States for the manner in which
the affairs of the islands had been
during the period OF
American occupation, which, through
the cooperation OF Americans and
he said had brought pros
perity and progress unprecedented"
You have truly treated us as no
nation ever before has treated another
under its sway he declared, "and yet
you-and none better than you-will
why. even under such con-
cft1 Snd
dence that they too may be sovereign
masters Of their own destinies.'
Mr. Baker was given a document sent
was set forth the facts on which the
Filipinos based their apeal for inde-
pendent national existence.
The mission, including forty promi-
nent FiIipinos and headed by Manuel
Quezon, president Of the Senate. upon
being received in Secretary Bakers Of
flee today, presented :. formal memo
rial, asking Independence and point i
ing particularly to the record OF the
in the great war.
In replying the secretary read Pres |
dent wilson's letter. addressed to him |
under date Of April T. It was asc fol-
lows:
'W1u you please express 10 the gen.
.lemen OF the commission representing |,
he Philippine legislature my regret |
hat shall be unable to see them per- I
,onal1y on their arrival in Washing
ton, as well as my hope that their mis- |
sion win be q source OF satisfaction |;
% them and that it win result in |
about the desirable ends set |
'orth in the joint resolution Of the leg
stature approving the sending OF the |
mission to the United States