The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-03-07

AS TO the question Of the stability Of
government, l wish TO say TO the Ann
erlcan people upon my responsibility
as the encouragement that In my
opinion there exists today In the Phil
ippine Islands stable government,
which / think should answer the re-
quirements laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as | under
stand 1t, 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 20 on record as be-
ing entirely In sympathy with the as
plrations 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 Platt amendment in the
treaty with Cuba, which restricts the
ing Of foreign governments and also
permits the United States 10 interfere
with the affairs OF the new republic in
case conditions Of disorder should be
found to prevail. Such recommends
ton does not come as an EXPIRE ssion OF
the views of the Filipinos; 1t is my
own view OF what would be desirable
10 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 1t is not right that independence
itself should longer be delayed ,
BY temperament, by experience, by
financial ability, In every way, the
ll,000,000 Filipinos are entitled 10
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
4 fetal TO be honest, efficient and as ca.
pable of administering executive posi-
/ lions 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 aud other Philippine universities.
and in education and ability they COM
pare fayorably with any / know.
They have leaders like Speaker Os-
mena Of the House OF Representatives
and President Que2on of the Senate
who would adorn any office.
|. The Philippines are away ahead OF
sthe 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 year more
than under private ownership.
II took hold OF the highways, and
we have 1900 miles of the best mae.
adamized roads in the world. The
Manila city government is about ia
take over the street railways and the
gas and electric plants, while the ter
ritorial government is arranging fol
ownership and control OF the coal sup
ply.
The movement for independence /:
a peaceful one. No territory was more
loyal 10 Uncle Sam during the war. II
offered an armed and equipped division
To our government, gave it subma
rlne destroyer and oyersubscribed Lib
erty loans and Red Cross funds.
Two million natives speak Engllst
fiuently, and there are 100000 Engiisl
speaking children in the public schools
am more than willing 10 retire /
the Filipinos can I've granted what the,
Deserve government like that of IA,