Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-02-19

N'"' ''"'''''" be granted.
As TO the question OF the stability OF
government, Wish 10 say TO the Am
erican people upon my responsibility
as the encouragement that In my
opinion there exists today In the Phil.
lPplne Islands stable government,
which | think should answer the re-
qnlrements laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as | under
stand II, also by Mr.. Root-namely, a
government elected 10y the suffrage OF
the people, which is supported by the
people, which is capable OF maintain.
Ing order and OF fulfilling its interna.
tional obligations.
am very glad 10 go on record as be-
Ink entirely In sympathy with the as
pirations of the Filipino milton for In.
dependence.
have recommended 10 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 a,sp
permits the United States 10 Interfere
with the affairs OF the new republic IN
case conditions Of disorder should
found TO prevail. Such recommendn
ton does not come as an expire sion OF
the views OF the Fllipnos; II is my
own view of what would be desirable
to secure 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 II Is not right that independence
Itself should longer be delayed.
BY temperament, by experience, by
financial ability. In every way, the
100000 Filiplnos are entitled to
be free from every government except
OF their own choice. They are lntelll-
gent enough TO decide for themselves.
! have found the native Filipino of
iic!al 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 native congress, including many
graduates Of Yale. Princeton, Harvard
and other American universities. 9th
er members are graduates OF SaDto To
mas and other Philippine universities,
and in education and ability they COM
pare favorably with any know.
They have leaders like Speaker Os-
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 year more
than under private ownership.
II 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
ritoria 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 10 Uncle Sam during the war. It
offered an armed and equipped division
TO our government, gave 1t subma-
rine destroyer and oversubscribed Lib
erty loans and Red Cross funds.
Two million natives speak English
tluently, and there are 100000 English
speaking children in the public schools.
am more than willing to retire II
he Fiiiplnos can be granted what they
deserve-a government like that of the
United States.