The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-05-15
NOW COME THE FILIPINos
SEEKING INDEPENDENCE

Washington, Apr-"It is, as it has
always been, the purpose of the peo-
pie of the United States to withdraw
their sovereignty over the Philippines
Islands and to recognize their indie
pendence as SOM as a stable govern
ment is established therein"
This is the official hope that the
Ameican government has held out to
U0,0OO,0OO Fiiipines ever since
American occuation.
Now comes the Filipinos, through
the PHILIPPINE Mission, bringing an
imposing array of proof to the effec,
there is already a stable government
i'll the PHILIPPINES. They also point t.
the testimony of Governonor General
Harrison and Acting Governor Yea
! ter, the two highest American offi.
cialls in the islands, who in the light
! Of their experience in the Philippines
agree not only that stable govern
/ mert can be established, but that one
is already in existence.
Th, Philippine Mission, asi;s,. there
fore, that independence now can be
granted at the earliest possible date.
The Mission is an official body 1t
was appointed by the Philippine legs.
lature at the behest of the Filipino
people to come to the United States
at this time and work for indepen-
dence, and Ito promote better under
stanCing, greater confidence, ana clo-
ser economic 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 the Philippine iadrprr-
dcEce while speaking at the Kn:cker-
booker Club in New York:
BY temperament, by experience, by
financial ability, in every way the ten
millions of Filipinos are entitled to
be free from every government ex-
cept their own choice. They are in
telligcnt enough to decide for them
selves.
81 have found the native Filipino
| official to be honest, efficient and as
capable of administering executive
positions as any men have met
anywhere in the world.
| "These officials are today govern
ing one thousand municipalities and
f"rty-two provinces, economically,
efficiently, and for the good oe the
pc orle.
"They have leaders like Speaker
| Osmena, of the House of Represent
ativcs, and President Quezon, of the
Senate, who would adorn any office.
| "The Philippines are away ahead of
the United States in successful gov
ernment ownership and operation OF
public utilities.
''Thc government took hold of the
steam railways and made them pay
a profit of 100000 pesos a year
more profit than private owacrship.
at took hold of the highways and
we have 1000 miles of the best ma
cadamized road In the world. The
Manila city government is about to
cake over the street railways and the
gas and electric plants while the terri
torial government is Arranging for
ownership and control of the coal
supply.
"The movement for independence
is a peaceful one. No territory was
more loyal to Uncle Sam during the
war. 1t offered an armed and equip
ped division to our government, gave
it submarine destroyer, and over
subscribed Liberty Loans and Red
Cross funds.
1.-TWO million natives speak English
flucEtiy, and there are 100000 Eng.
ish speaking children in the public
schools.
II am more than willing to retire
If theFilipinos can be granted what
they deScrve-a government like
hat of the United States.
"Thcrc is no present indication that
Japan covcts ;hc Philippines, the Jap
tnesc do not thrive in the PHILIPPINES
tsiandS--thc climate seems to be too
tropical for them. There are only
10000 Japanese on the island"