The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-04-27

De granted.
As to the question Of the stability Of
government, / wish to say to the Am
erfcan people upon my responsibility
as the governor-general that In my
opinion there exists today In the Phil
lppine Islands a stable government,
which I think should answer the re-
quiremsnts laid down by Presidents
Grant and Mckinley, and as I under
stand 1t, also by Mr.. Root-namely, q
government elected by the suffrage of
the people, which is supported by the
people, which Is capable Of maintain
ing order and of fulnlling its interna-
tional obligations.
/ am very glad to 90 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 ssion Of
the views of the Filipinos; 1t Is my
own view Of what would be desirable
to secure a feeling OF confidence and
satisfac tion on the part Of all persons
who have already invested money In
the Philippines or who contemplate do
ing 50 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
IL. o0O. 900 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
| dcial to be honest, efficient and an ca
| pahle Of administe ring executive posi-
lions as any men have met anywhere
| I'm the world.
These officials are today governing
| 1000 municipalities and forty-twO
| provinces, economically, efhcie ntly 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,
or members are graduates Of Santo 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 Representative
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 g
profit Of 1000, 600 pesos a year more
than under private ownership.
It 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 tC
take over the street railways and the
/ gas and electric plants, while the ter
ritorial government ls arranging fol
ownership and control Of the coal SUD
ply.
The movement for independence II
Q peaceful one. No territory was more
loyal to Uncle Sam during the war. II
offered an armed and equipped division
to our government, gave 1t a subma
rine destroyer and oversubscribed Lib
erty loans and Red Cross funds
Two million natives speak English
fluently, and there are 100000 English
speaking children In the public schools
am more than willing to retire Il
the Fflipinos can be granted what they
Deserve government like that OF the
] United States.