Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-02-12

wv Ss'' be granted.
As to the question of the stability Of
government l wish to say to the Am
erican people upon my responsibility
as the encouragement that in my
opinion there exists today in the Phil
ippine Islands a stable government,
which I think should answer the re-
Quirements laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as I under
stand 1t, also by Mr.. Root-namely, q
government elected by the suffrage of
people, which is capable Of maintain
ing order and of fulfilling its interna-
tional obligations.
I am very glad to 60 on record as be-
ing entirely in sympathy with the as
pirations of the Filipino nation for in
dependence.
/ have recommended to Congress
that in granting independence some
provision be made similar to what Is
known as the Plat amendment in the
treaty with Cuba, which restricts the
ability of the new republic in borrow
ing Of foreign governments and also
permits the United States to interfere
with the affairs Of the new republic in
case conditions of disorder should be
found to prevail. Such recommenda- !
ton does not come as an EXPIRE sSiOn OF
the views of the Filipinos; it is my
own view of what would be desirable
to secure a feeling Of confidence and
satisfaction on the part of all persons
who have already invested money In
the Philippines or who contemplate do
ing so in the near future.
But it is not right that independence
itself should longer be delayed.
BY temperament, by experience, by
financial ability, in every way, the
100000 Filipinos are entitled to
be free from every government except
Of their own choice. They are intelli-
gent enough to decide for themselves.
have found the native Filipino Of
fetal to be honest, efficient and as ca
pable of administering executive posi-
tons as any men have met anywhere
In the world.
These officials are today governing
1000 municipalities and forty-two
provinces, economically, efficiently and
for the good Of the entire people. They
have a native congress, including many
graduates of Yale, Princeton, Harvard
and other American universities. 9th
er members are graduates of Santo To
mas and other Philippine universities,
and in education and ability they COM
pare favorably with any l know.
They have leaders like Speaker o.
mena of the House of Representatives
and President Quezon Of the Senate
who would adorn any office.
The Philippines are away ahead OF
the United States in successful govern
ment ownership and operation of pub
lie utilities.
The government took hold of the
steam railways and made them pay
profit of 100000 pesos a year more
than under private ownership.
1t took hold of the highways, and
we have 1000 miles of the best mac
adamized roads in the world The
Manila city government is about to
take over the street railways and the
gas and electric plants, While the ter
ritorial government is arranging for,
ownership and control of the coal sup
ply.
The movement for independence is
a peaceful one. No territory was more
loyal to Uncle Sam during the war. 1t
offered an armed and equipped division
to our government, gave it a subma-
rine destroyer and oversubscribed Lib
erty loans and Red Cross funds.
Two million natives speak English
fluently, and there are 100000 English
speaking children in the public schools.
/ am more than willing to retire II
the Filipinos can be granted what they
Deserve government like that of the
United States.