The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-03-10

Dt SitilA'i'
AS to the-question Of the stability OF
government ] wish to say to the Am
erican people upon my responsibility
as the encouragement that in Ivy
opinion there exists today in the Phil
ippine Islands stable government,
quirements laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as | under
stand it, also by Mr.. Root-namely, a
government elected by 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 to go 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 sore
provision he made similar to what is
known as the Plat amendment in the
treaty with Cuba, which restricts the
ability of tie 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. Stfch recommends
ton does not come as an expire SSon Of
the views of the Filipinos; it is my
own view of what would be desirable
to secure feeling of confidence and
satisfaction on she part Of all persons
who have already invested money in
the Philippines or who contemplate do
ing so in the near fSture
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 10
be free from every government except
of tEeir, 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.
paDle Of administering executive posi-.
tons as any men have met anywhere
in tie 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. Oh.
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 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 a
profit OF 100000 pesos Il 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
sake over the street railways and the
gas and electric plants, While the ter
rltoral government is arranging for
ownership and control OF the COIL SUP.
ply.
Tie. movement for independence ia
q 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 subnla.
rine destroyer and oversubscrihed Lib.
erty leans and Red Cross funds.
Two million natives speak English
iluent'y. and there are 100000 English
speaking children in the public schools.
am more than willing to retire If
the fflipinos can lie granted what they
doserve-a government like that Of the
United States.