The Washington times., 1919-04-04

Philippine life, are, one and all, ready
to testify to the absolute truth OF this
assertion. We believe that this is the
proper time to present the question,
looking to a favorable and decisive
action. because OF the declared and
uniform policy OF America to with
draw her sovereignty over the Philip.
pine Islands and to recognize our in
dependence as soon as a stable gov
ernment can be established.
Government L. Stable.
''That there is now a stable govern
ment in the Philippines. managed and
supported by the people themselves,
and that 1t can and will be main
tanned under an independent Philip
pine government, the testimony OF
your own official representatives,
Governor Geenral Harrison and Act
ing Governor General Yeater, will
bear out The fulfllment OF this SOL
emn promise you owe to yourselves.
to us. and to humanity at large.
''We also find inspiration and justi-
acation for our decision to appeal at
this time to the Government and
people OF the United States for the
granting of our independence in the
ervation Of which America in the re-
cent world war held life and property
cheap. America fought for the lib
erty, the self-government, and the
indicated development of all peoples
and cheerfully assumed her full share
in the war for the liberation of peo-
pie everywhere
"The American people were willing
to dedicate their lives and their for
tunes, everything that they were and
everything that they had, for the
things you have always carried near
est your heart-for democracy for
the right of those who submit to
authority to have a voice in their own
governments, for the rights and liber-
ties OF small nations
Backed Up Government.
'Mr. Secretary. may be permitted
to recall at this juncture that in
lighting for 50 high and noble ideals
the Filipino people have stood by you
during the critical years of the gi
yantic struggle, and, to a man, were
ready, nay anxious, to shed their
blood side by side with your OWL
soldiers?
~ beg leave to place in your hands
Mr.. Secretary. a document / have
with me- 1t contains instructions OF
the Philippine Legislature to the In
dependence Commission to present
the question Of Independence to the
United States. and amply sets forth
our bases for appealing for inde-
pendent national existence. Mr.. Sec
retary, will it be necessary to repeat
what we have always been pleased
20 recognize that, with the helping
land of the United States. the Phil
ppines saw prosperity and progress
unprecedented? Through the joint
abor of Americans and FiIipinos, the
history of your occupation of the Is
ands is replete with achievements
great. and results splendid. You
nave truly treated US as no nation
mas ever before treated another under
IT'S sway. And yet you-and none
better than you-will understand
Why, even under such conditions, our
people still crave independence, that
hey. too, may be sovereign masters
II their own destinies.
"Sir, when our national independ-
ence shall be granted US, the world
will know that the people of Amer
ica are indeed bearers OF the good
will. the protection and the richest
blessing of a liberating rather than
a cOnquering nation and that ii was
our liberty, not your. power, our well
fare not your gain you sought to
enhance in the Philippines"