The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1920-04-23

Maxine N. kalaw. mean In black
and whitei
senator Shotgun may think no people
b capable Of government mat does
not establish the judicial recall, or that
has no Billy Sunday. John Smith OK
Souervihe may think no people -
capable Of self-govsrnment that does
net vote his democratic ticket, or 90 to
church ON Sundays
Capacity for self-goverAment" Is a.
broad and elastic as the world, and II
that should be the criterion for the
granting Of Philippine independence.
America might as well say to the FIN
pinos II win give YOU Independence
when it Dleases me to do So"
Fortunately, the American promise
to the Philippines is not based on such
obscure and abstract conditions. 1t 10
based on a definite seizable thing
When America, through her Congress,
officially told the Filipino people that
they would be granted their independ-
ence as soon as they could establish q
stable government, 40 abstract or OBJ
scure condition was meant. Stable
government, according to American
usage, means certain, definite thing.
The United States promised the Gu
bans the same thing, that "when they
have established a stable government.
then American troops would be with
drawn" AS soon az the Cuban people
elected a government suited to theFR-
selves, capable of maintaining order
end fulfilling all International obliga-
lions, there was a stable government
In Cuba, and American troops were
withdrawn.
When Congress passed the Jones
law, it simply borrowed the phrase
"Stnble government" from the Cuban
history and applied it to the Philip
pines. The history of Philippine leg
iSlation shows that in black and white.
With full knowledge of what it meant,
the Filipino people accepted the Jones
law and Immediately began setting up
the stable government required by Con-
gress as a prerequisite to independ-
ence. The stable government is now
fact. 1t Is indeed more than that; II
- an undisputed fact
The Official representative Of the
United States In the Philippine Islands.
the Governor General, reported to tie
American Congress and the administra-
ton that "the Filipino people have e.
tablished tho stable government de-
!, naanded By Congress as prerequisite
for. the granting Of independence
namely, 4 government elected by the
!. suffrage Of the people, which Is sup
i. ported by the people, which is capable
Of maintaining order and of fulfilling
/, Its international obligations"
The Philippine question is therefore
no longer a question Of politics, argu-
ment or superstition. TO the Philip
!. pine mipd, at least, 1t is now a ques-
ten o. whether the United States 10
ready to discharge It's own obligations
fully and completely. America went
before the world in the recent war AZ
the avowed champion If "Self-determi
ARtion" and Filipinos cannot see how
America can consistently refuse to act.
The YiApinO people, however, have
No gruAge or grievance against the
American people. Theirs IL a message
" friendship and gratitude. They See1
Independence as the natural and log
teal outcome AZ Aaaarfca's policy IN
the Islands and cS Amerleas soleanR
premise "a them. Thay come willing
10 give privileges and concessions ao'
lAcompNtiAle vita their national vel
fare
Ths T1Npine psOpIs are willing to
aecept Independence under any Of the
following conditions: Under League
Af Nations guaranteeing it's territorial
tRtasr4ty; under the protectorateGhip
Af the United States Hor the first few
pears; under treaty oa neutrality be
tween the United States, England, ia
pan, France and other powers, or even
without any condition whatever-abSo-
late and complete Independence. They
have ne fear of Japan. Philippine in.
dependence, In our spinien, Is not inim'
bal to Japanese interests. The JHpa'
Rese are now free to come to the Phil
lpplnea, but at the present time theirs
aFe Less thaA 10.ooo japanese In tbs
islands. There are six TINES ~ many
Japanese IN California as there are II
ehe entire Philippine Archipelago
The Tilipinos are willing to Mks
2eiT chance as q nation. Smaller ma
eisns besst by gravOR problems aAe
dangers have taken q more hazardous
chance ct freedom. and have sue
eas6s4 --.----.--------