Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-18

their aspiration for national exis-
tence." 1t quoted former President
Wilson as calling the attention OF con
gress in a message in December, 1870,
to the establishment of a successful
government in the Philippines and re-
minding congress of the obligation to
grant independence to the islands:
The recommendation Of former Pres
ident Wilson. the statement continued.
was made after the governor general
of the Philippines had officially certi-
fled to congress and. the president that
a stable government had been estab-
lished.
1T is a fact, therefore" the state
ment continued. that Immediately pri-
or to the coming into power Of the
present administration the Philippine
question was on the eve of revolution.
Conditions Not Changed
1--WE beg to submit that the 10
months that have elapsed since the
new administration assumed office
have not altered the situation. The
same stable government exists. Con
trary to what some may aver. the
phrase, a stable government does not
1t has a specific and we'll established
meaning.
president Mckinley, in addressing
the Cuban people. defined a stable
government as one capable of maintain
ing order and observing international
obligations. inSuring peace and tran
guilty and the security of citizens.
1T must be remembered that the
term, stable government in the Jones
law has been adopted virtually from
the American promises to the Cuban
people. 1t cannot, therefore. but have
the same meaning"
No American body or official in
speaking of the Wood Forbes mission,
has described it as 'unwarrantably Sc
we're and critical in it's report has de-
MED the stability Of the Filipino gov
ernment. the mission declared.
Insular. Police Dependable
1T is admitted by the Wood-Forbes
mission that order had been properly
maintained and that u insular po-
lice or constabulary has proved itself
to be dependable and thoroughly eff
Gent" the statement continued.
1.-THE i~nsular, provincial and munich
pal governments of the Philippines rest
on the free and peaceful suffrage of
the people. The people elect members
of the insular legislature, provincial
KONcIllDlS >, CilD VI Il f'o'A
boards, municipal heads and members
of the municipal councils.
"Thc structure and workings of our
government also conform to the stand
ard defined by Mr.. Root lin an address
to the Cuban people, in that it is
subject to the limitations and safe
guards which the experience of a con-
stitutional government has shown to be
necessary to the preservation of indi-
vidual rights The Filipino people
fought for such constitutional safe
guards during the Spanish regime. Our
present constitutional limitations and
1900"
Courts Are Praised
Quoting the Wood Forbes report to
the effect that the Philippine supreme
court has the respect and confidence
of the Filipino people" the statement
cited that 'the courts of first instance.
mostly presided over by Filipinos. ever
since the establishment of Philippine
autonomy, have maintained a standard
which in general compares favorably
with the state courts of the Union.
"Philippine autonomy it continued.
"has also increased the agencies of
social and political progress, such as
schools, roads, public buildings, hos
pitfalls. etc. the present conditions in
the Philippines, even as alleged in the
Wood Forbes report, compare favor
ably with those existing in many ma
tions whose right to national sover-
eighty is not open to the least ques-
ton"
The desire for independence is not
horn of ingratitude toward the United
States. the statement sets forth, nor
does it show lack of appreciation Of
the risks and danger Of international
life. 1t is the logical outcome of more
than 20 years of patient labors jointly
undertaken by the Americans and the
Filipinos. The Filipino people firmly
believe that the time has com when
this question should be settled once
for all. Fur-eer delay in the fulfill
ment of Americas pledge contained in
the Jones law will only result in in
Jury to the best interests of both peo-
pies"
No Fear of Aggression
Any danger Of foreign aggression
against the Philippines which may have
been feared. the president was told.
had been eliminated through the ac-
tons of the Washington conference.
Surely after that conference. the
world over is a solid foundation for
peace, has been hailed
of faith il her own work, now say
States cannot, without showing lack
the statement declared, 'the United