Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-07
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE.

The presentation of the urgent appeal for Philippine
Independence is likely to revive a discussion which has
subsidized under the pressure Of matters of more immedi-
ate and vital importance to the world. The discussion
started with the acquisition of the islands. In fact. it
started before the archipelago was formally acquired,
for, long before the terms of peace between the United
States and Spain We're agreed on, many American
should never be permitted to hold the islands. When
the contrary decision was reached at the peace confer
ence loud and long were the denunciations Of the spirit
OF miitarism which, it was charged, had animated those
who favored the retention of the islands even for a
limited time. The act having been committed, and the
United States being actually in charge, the opponents Of
that policy devoted their energies to the presentation
Of arguments in favor Of immediate declaration on the
part of the United States Of its purpose to provide for
the independent political existence Of the territory.
Efforts to commit the country to a definite statement
the wisdom Of the declaration made is open to question,
there are very many who were opposed to Philippine
independence twenty years ago, who, with perfect con-.
sistepcy. will favor it now. At the time when the terri
tory passed from the control Of Spain to that Of the
United States independence was out of the question.
Aside from the inability Of the people to defend them
selves against foreign aggression, for which provision
could have been made by our Own nation, and possibly
others, guaranteeing protection. there was. no party,
group or faction in the islands which could have organ
lied a government which could have maintained even
4 reasonable degree Of order among the native popu.
lation itself.
Two decades Of American supervision have worked
wonders. A well planned and capably conducted edu-
cationaf system has spread its benefcent muence to the
most distant Of the islands. Robber bands which held
large populations In terror have been rooted out and
destroyed. The people have grown into a sense ox
Esecurity in the possession of their property, in their
homes and in their industrial and family life. The
title to the finest lands in the archipelago. vested for
generations IN certain Of the religious orders, were ex-
who had been mere chattels occupying the soil Of other
men. became the possessors Of their own farms, and were
given a new interest in life. Tho largest possible powers
OF self government we're placed in the hands OF the
people. The territorial council, established by objection
of the American government, and operating under Its
dictiop. Even in the remote districts where the natives
had no conception of self government in its broader
aspects, local communities were aided in the formation.
OF local self governing bodies
The Filipinos have made gratifying progress. The
representatives whom they have sent to washington
seem to appreciate, what the government .of the United
States has done for them. And IT is only Just to recoS.
nike the fact that very much OF their progress is due
directly to the tireless industry, the unselfsh devotion
kend the broad vision sof. william H. TAFT, who. created
for himself In those distant islanda 1 monument more
@nd'sEinx than ANYTHING that can be carved. OUT 81 stone