The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1920-04-29

'SCE@Sa&Nska as to the executive
oAero admin stration
CIV ~, u,,r,.o. that independence
~ be granted.
AS to the question Of the stability of
government, / wish to say to the Am.
erican people upon my responsibility
as the governor-general that in my
opinion there exists today in the Phil
lppine Islands stable government,
which I think should answer the re-
quirements laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as I under
stand #, also by Mr.. Root-namely, a
government elected by the suffrage Of
the people, which is supported by the
people, which is capable ct maintain
ing order and of fulfilling its interna.
tional obligations.
l 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 recommended
ton does not come as an EXPIRE sion Of
the views of the Filipinos; 1t is my
own view Of what would be desirable
to secure feeling Of confidence and
satisfaction Oh 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-.
lions as any men have met anywhere
n the world.
These officials are today governing
1000 municipalities and forty.two
provinces, economically, efficiently and
or the good Of the entire people. They
lave native congress, including MANY
graduates Of Yale, Princeton, Harvard
ind other American universities. 9th.
r members are graduates of Santo To-
mas and other Philippine universities,
ind in education and ability they com.
'are faVorably with any know.
They have leaders like Speaker Os.
nena Of the House Of Representatives.
md President Quezon Of the Senate
Tho would adorn any office,
The Philippines are away ahead Of
he United States in successful govern.
1ent ownership and operation of pub.
c utilities.
The government took hold of the
team railways and made them pay a
roft of 100000 pesos a year more
nan under private ownership.
1t took hold of the highways, and
e have 1000 miles Of the best mac
damized roads In the world. The
[anila city government Is about to
Ike over the street railways and the
as and electric plants, while the ter.
torial government is arranging for
and control of the coal sup
~.
The movement for Independence is
peaceful one. No territory was more
val to Uncle Sam during the war. It
Tered an armed and equipped division
our government, gave it a subma.
ne destroyer and oversubscribed Lib
'ty loans and Red Cross funds.
Two million natives speak English
lently, and there are 100000 English
eaking children in the public schools.
/ am more than willing to retire If
e Fi1ipnos can be granted what they
'serve-a government like that of tho
nited States.