Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1920-07-15

<uAseSsav w., a. INV
Maxine N. ksIaw. mean in black
ara whittier
Senator Shotgun may think no people
10 capable Of self-government that does
not establish the judicial recall, or that
has no Billy Sunday. John Smith OF
scmerville may think no people Is
capable Of self-government that does
net vote his democratic ticket, or 90 to
sAuych on Sundays.
Capacity for self-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 Fill
pfnos, II will give yoH independence
when Il pleases me to do So"
Fortunately, the American promise
10 the Philippines is not based on such
obscure and abstract conditions. 1t ID
based on definite seizable thing.
When America, through her Congress,
efhelally told the Filipino people that
they would be granted their mdepend-
snee a. soon as they could establish a
stable government, no abstract or OBJ
scprs 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 as the Cuban people
elected q governRent suited to them
selves, capable of maintaining order
and fulfilling all International obliga-
uohs. there was stable government
In Cuba, and American troops were
withdrawn.
When Congress passed the Jones
law, 1t simply borrowed the phrase
stable government" from the Cuban
history and applied 1t to the Philip
pines. The history of Philippine leg
islstiOn shows that In black and white.
With full knowledge Of what 1t meant,
the Filipino people accepted the Jones
law and Immediately began setting 10
the stable government required by Con
Sress ~ a prerequisite to independ-
snce. The stable government is now
Q fact. 1t II indeed more than that II
b an undisputed fact.
The Official representative of the
United States In the Philippine Islands,
the Governor General, reported to the
American Congress and the administra-
ton that ''the Filipino people have es.
tablished the stable government de.
nsnded By Congress as a pre- requisite
FOR the granting Of independence
namely, government elected by the |
suffrage Of the people, which is sup
ported BY the people, which is capable
sf maintaining order and Of fulfilling
tt International obligations"
The Philippine question is therefore
No longer a question of politics, argu-
ment or superstition. To the Philip
pine mind, at least, II Is now a ques-
uen OF whether the United States IL
ready to discharge its own obligation
fully and completely. America went
before the world In the recent war as
the avowed champion Of self determi-
nation" and Filipinos cannot see how
America can consistently refuse to act
The Filipino people, however, have
no grudge or grievance against the
American people. Theirs is a message
OF friendship and gratitude. They seek
Independence as the natural and log
icsl outcome Of Americas policy In
the Islands and OF Americas solemn
premise to them. They come willing
% give privileges and concessions not
Incompatible with their national vel.
fars.
The Filipino people are willing 10
accept independence under any OF the
Following conditions: Under a League
~ Nations, guaranteeing It's territorial
integrity; under the protectorateship
81 the United States for the first few
years; under a treaty OF neutrality be-
Ewssn the United States, England. ia.
psn, France and other powers, or even
Without any condition whsteyer-abso-
lutte and complete independence. They
have no fear Of Japan. Philippine in.
dependence, In our opinion, Is not Inim.
cal TO japanese interests. The Jana.
lsse are now free to come TO the PHI.
ppines, but At the present time there
IRE less than 10000 japanese In the
slands. There are six times as many
japanese In California as there are In
he snrrs Philippine Archipelago.
The Fiiipinos are willing to take
heir chance a. q nstien. Smaller ma
1oas besst By grsyer problems and
Ianges have taken 8 more hazardous
Rance At freedom, and have sue.