The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-04
INDEPENDENCE <
FOR FIL|P|NOS
is FORECASTED
Special Mission Is Told by
Baker President Wilson Be-
lieves Time for Freedom Of
Islands Has Come.


WASHINGTON, April 4.-Members Of
kthe special mission OF the Philippine
legislature, here seeking immediate in
Hdependence for the islands, were told
today by Secretary Baker that he
Aspoke President Wilson's mind when
ahe said he believed the time had come
to grant the complete independence de-
sstred by the Filipino people
The war secretary also said he be-
leyed the mission would be able to
earry home word that the American
peopie loved liberty too dearly to deny
40 70 others.
He read a letter left by President
Wilson when he went to Europe, ex-
pressing the hope that the mission
Eauid result lin bringing about the
Desirable ends set forth In the joint
gesoluti0n Of the legislature"
HFancis Burton Harrison, governor
ksneral Of the Philippines, followed MIR.
AAlkef with the statement that his ex-
Apertence in the islands had convinced
aim that the obstacles to independence
that appeared to exist few years ago
had been cleared away.
The mission, including 40 prominent
Filipanos and headed by Manuel Que
AOns president Of the senate, upon be-
'Hg received N Secretary Bakers Of
n ftce. today presented a formal me-
mortal asking independence and point
ing particularly to the record of the
philippines in the great war.
\ p Ii replying, the secretary read Pres
ldent Wilson'S letter, addressed to him
Under date Of March 3, as follows;
Wilson's Letter.
M WIN you please express to the gem
tlenaen Of the commission representing
- -.
that shall be unable to see them
personally on their arrival in Wash
tngton, as well as my hope that their
mission VIII be a source Of satisfaction
~ them and that II win result in
bringing about the desirable ends set
lAttire approving the sending Of the
c0tnmission to the United States.
III have been deeply gratified with
E the constant support and encourage
ment received from the Filipino peo-
pie and from the Philippine legislature
m the tssyi1g psflod through which !, We Y;
States have with reason, taken the
"a deepest pride in THE loyalty and sup
ID poasa ~ The philippine peoples
"a IA unable TO- meet the com
,lsfs ssotl Iilipino people shall not
leas lvortaHt labor OF the conference
tiAt3 II making the pathway Of the
veal peoHlo Or the world less peril
II nsss labor which should be, and
doubtless Is, Of deep and abiding in
teresttAo the Filipino people.
III am sorry that ! cannot look into
" the faces of the gentlement ofN this
mission of the Philippine islands and
" tell them all that ! have in mind and
a heart as | think Of the patient labor,
with the end almost In sight ,sl,,ti under.
people for their permanent benefit.
know, however, that your sentiments
n are mine, in this regard, and that you
81 win translate truly to them my owr
Y feeling"
Quezon Makes Plea.
Declaring that there is now stable
government In the Philippines, managed
4 and supported by the people themselves
% and that 1t can and will be maintained
n III Independence is granted the islands
y and urging that now ia the opportunt
TIME for presenting the. claims because
&H the principles for which the Unitec
\ States entered the world WARRIOR the
\ liberty, the self-goVernment and the
nndictated- development OF all peo'
Z ples MANUEL l.. Quezon, chairman oi
&vEfe Philippine mission, today presented
No Secretary Palaer the question of in
ASpendence for the Filipino people
IT..
4 fpf1ASe affairs. this morning formally
FacShed the entire mission, numbering
& aboutM0 members, representing all ele'
4 snents NJ Philippine life, Chairman
A Quezon, Nuresident of the Philippine
senate ami former resident commits
\ sioner of the islands in washington
acted as spokesman.
After announcing that the mission
brought to the United States mes
sage Of good will, gratitude. and re-
4 Ssass sfssm all the inhabitants OF th'
Msz Quezon stated he had peer
sent by asss people formally to submi
4 to this government the urgent question
4 pf their independence" In the conf
n dent hope it shall merit Just, right
eous and final Rsttlement"
4 Pleads for Liberty.
4 Independence is the great nationa
ideal Of the Filipino people" Mr.. Que
zon asserted "and we believe this II
the proper title to present the ques
tion, looking to favorable and de
cisiye action, because-of the declared
TX and uniform policy of America to with
draw her sovereignty over the Philip
pines and to recognize our independence
As soon as a stable government ha
been established There now Is stable
IEsgovernment and the fulfillment Of thi
solemn promise YOU owe yourselves, t
AIs and to humanitN- at large"
2 The speaker paid tribute, to TIL
United States for the manner m .whicl
MAhe affairs OF the islands, had beei
m S&dministered during the period Q
Nmerican occupation, whiK through
me co-operation of , An licans an
#'ilipinos, he said, had "bs lght pros
nerity and progress unpra dented' /"
tsYouR have truly treat us as NJ
wintfon ever before has ii ted anothe
4Fader its sway" he decN ia, land We
sssNxnu--and none better Fln you-wil
AnsS$stand why, even Y YER such con
#&iions oar people stS crave inde
#Nhdcnce that they, too, may be SOW
feign masters Of their own destinies.
Mir. Baker was given documen
III by the Philippine Legislature i
NMich was set forth the facts on whicl
2&& Filipinos based their appeal for in
#&pendent national existence.
Afu UAC CCrnMN