The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-05
Baker Tells Mission President
Is Convinced Time Has
Come to Act.
READS WILSON'S LETTER
Quezon, Head Of Delegation,
Thanks U. S. for Aid 'Ex-
tended to Islands.

hoy w OcCItldTy bdhtT that ITO spun
President Wilson's mind when he sal
he believed the time had come to gran
the complete independence desired by tn
Filipino people.
The War Secretary also said he be
lieved the mission would be able to carr
home word that the American peopl
loved liberty too dearly TO deny it
others.
He read letter left by Presider
Wilson when he went to Europe. express
Ing the hope that the mission woul
result in bringing about the desirabl
ends set forth in the joint resolution G
the Legislature"
Francis Burton Harrison, Governor
General of the Philippines. followed Me-
Baker with the statement that his ex
perience in the islands had convince
him that the obstacles to independence
that appeared to exist few years ag
had been cleared away.
The mission, including forty promi
nent Filipinos and headed by Manue
Quezon, President OF the Senate, upo
being received in Secretary Bakers OF
fee to-day presented formal memoria
asking independence and pointing par
ticularly to the record OF the Philippine
In the great war.
The Presidents Letter.
In replying the Secretary read Presi
dent Wilson's letter addressed to hir
under date OF March 8. 1t follows:
viii you please express to the
gentlemen of the commission repre-
senting the Philippine Legislature my
regret that I shall be unable to see
them personally on their arrival in
Washington. as well as my hope that
their mission will be a source of sa =
isfaction to them and that II will re-
suit in bringing about the desirable
ends set forth in the Joint resolution
OF the Legislature approving the
sending OF the commission to the
United States.
II have been deeply gratified with
the constant support and encourage
ment received from the Filipino
people and from the Philippine Legis-
lature in the trying period through
which We are passing. The people OF
the United States have, with rea-
son. taken the deepest pride in tho
loyalty and support OF the Filipino
people.
Though unable TO meet the com
mission. the Filipino people shall not
be absent from my thoughts. Not
the least important labor OF the con-
ference which now requires my at
tention is that Of making the path
way OF the weaker people OF the
world less perilous--a labor which
should be and doubtless is OF deep
and abiding interest to the Filipino
people.
~ am sorry that I cannot look
-
this mission OF the Philippine Islands
and tell them all that have in mind
and heart az l think of the patient
labor, with the end almost in sight,
undertaken by the American and Fill
ipino people for their permanent benz
eft. I know, however. that your een-
timents are mine in this regard, and
that you will translate truly TO them
my own feeling"
Pays Tribute to United States.
independence is tho great nation,
ideal OF the Filipino country" NJ
Quezon asserted on behalf OF the mi:
sion, land we believe this is the prope
time to present the question. looking
a favora bic and decisive action, becaus
of the declared and uniform policy {
America to withdraw her sovereignt
over the Philippines and to recogniz
our independence as soon as a stab
government has been csta blished, Their
now is stable Government and IN
fulfillment OF this solemn promise yo
owe TO yourselves, 10 US and to HI
mainly ut large"
The speaker paid n tribute to III
United States for the manner in whic
the affairs of the islands had been ad
ministered during tho period of Amer
can occupation, which. through the &C
operation OF Americans and Filipino
he said. had brought prosperity an
progress unprecedented"
You have truly treated us as no ma
ton ever before has treated anothe
under its sway" he declared, land yt
you-and none better than you-wi
understand why, even under such cor
ditions, our people still crave indt
pendence, that they. too. may be SOY
ereign masters OF their own destinies.
Secretary Baker, in replying 10 NJ
Quezon, recounted the history OF III
transition in the relations between III
American Government and the island
from the time of the establishment {
the military government to the presen
The island people are now virtually IT
he said. the only link be'n
the American Governor-General and I'll
most binding of ties. that OF affection.
prosperity has come with the carry
ing out OF the great experiment
colonial relationship upon which the tw
peoples embarked. he said; but the Ell
pertinent itself would have been a failur
had the Filiplnos not learned, II the
did not already have II. a love OF libert!
political independence.
Urged TO Extend VISIT.
Mr.. Baker urged the mission (
visit many American cities before
went back Not only was he anxious
he said for them 10 see and know wha
Americans were doing and thinking. BIT
he wanted tho American people to sc
and know the manner OF men the islam
selected for such q gres
The world was looking forward. NJ
Baker continued, TO time when III
relations between all people should
bottomed on Justice and peace. by
whatever might come as TO the world II
large, the relations between the peopl
of the Philippines and the America
people were so founded and there coul
never be anything but peace and under
standing between them.
Gov. Harrison said tho formal az
granting independence was one tina
Congress must take and that tho Ac
would present the matte
to Congress at the appropriate time.