The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1920-06-17

What do they
Maxine NJ. kaIaw. mean In blaci
and white?
Senator Shotgun may think no people
IN capable OF self-goyernment that does
not establish the judicial recall. or that
has no Billy Sunday. John Smith OF
Somervllle may think no people is
capable OF government that does
not vote his democratic ticket. or 20 TO
church on Sundays.
Capacity for government" is as
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 FIJI.
pinos. II will give yor Independence
when II pleases me TO do So"
Fortunately, the American promise
70 the Philippines Is not based on such
obscure and abstract conditions. II Is
based on definite seizable thing
When America. through her Congress.
officially told the Filipino people that
they would be granted their lndepend-
ence as soon as they could establish a
stable government, no 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 stable government
then American troops would be with.
drawn. As soon as the Cuban people
elected government suited 10 them
selves, capable OF maintaining order
and fulfilling all international obliga.
lions, there was stable government |
In Cuba. and American troops were |
withdrawn.
When Congress passed the Jones
law. II simply borrowed the phrase
stable government" from the Cuban
history and applied II to the Philip
pines. The history OF Philippine leg.
islation shows that In black and white.
with full knowledge OF what IL meant.
the Filipino people accepted the Jones
law and Immediately began setting up
the stable government required by Con
gress as prerequisite to independ.
ence. The stable government Is now
q fact. II Is indeed more than that; II
- an uhuisputcu fhct.
The Official representative of the
United States In the Philippine Islands.
The Governor General. reported 10 the
American Congress and the sdministra.
Hon that "the Filipino people have es
abiished the stable government dc.
nanded by Congress as a prerequisite
'or the granting OF Independence
namely, government elected by the
unrage OF the people, which Is sup
'orted by the people. which Is capable
4 maintaining order and OF fulfilling
Is International obligations"
The Philippine question Is therefore Z
o longer question OF politics. nrxu- =
lent or superstition. To the Philip
the mind, az least. II Is now a ques-
lon OF whether the United States Is
eady 70 discharge It's own obligations
nliy aud completely. America wen,
cfore the world In the recent war ms
he avowed champion u 'self.dsterrui.
alton" and Fillplnos cannot see how -
merica cnn consistently refuse TO act
The Filipino people. however. have
grudge or grievance against IN.
merican people. Theirs Is a message
friendship and gratitude. They seek
dependence as the natural and log.
al outcome OF Americas policy IN
l. Islands and OF Americas solemn
'onise 10 them They come willing
give privileges arl concessions not -
compatible with their national wei
re.
The Filipino people are willing 20
cept Independence under any OF the
flowing conditions: Under a League
Nations, guaranteeing It's territorial c
,egrity; under the protectorateshlp
the United States for the arst few q
ars; under a treaty Of neutrality be.
cen the United States. England. ia. =
y. France and other powers. or even
thout any condition vhatever-abso.
10 and complete independence. They
We no fear Of japan. rhllippine IN.
pendenee. IN cur opinion. Is not min
! 20 japanese interests The Jana
~ are nov free 20 come 20 the Pm.
zines. but az the present time there
} less than 1000 Japsness IN the P
sntx There are six tines az nauv
nanese IN California az there are IN
J entire Philippine Archipelago -
The riliplnos are wiiling to TAX,
ir ehsnce az nation. Smaller na.
rs sesst By Frsver problems snd
nTsrs have taken q more haur6su,
NEE az freedom aud have sss.
died