Evening star., 1922-06-22

telligent public sentiment before TAX
ing the step which cannot be re-
traced
Your allusion to a reversal of policy
on the part of the first of colonial
powers" rather argues for delay than
commends immediate action. More
than a century of colonial relation
ship between Great Britain and her
more notable colonies has been
marked by training for government
and the approach to the measure Of
autonomy which prevails today. In
strengthened the cherishment of
freedom under the larger relation
ship. and the great. free dominions
seem more rejoiced in the member
ship of British peoples than would
have been believahie fifty, or even
the colonial benefits of larger asso-
citation under one flag.
do not invite the inference that
we are working to that relationship.
We should not wish it unless it were
equally your desire. Whether wisely
or not, our disavowal of permanent
retention was made in the very be-
ginning. and reversal of that atti-
tude will come. il ever, only at your
request.
The indefinite expression has ever
been as to time for launching you
into your own orbit in the world of
nations. You have declared your own
readiness. No American authority.
except as responsibility was passing.
ever has been sufficiently assured to
give its stamp of approval.
Mindful of your aspirations, the
Wood Forbes mission was sent TO the
Philippines. with instructions to in
vestigate conditions. appraise your
progress and make report. The per-
sonnel was chosen with the view to
have the appraisal made by outstand-
ing and able men, who had been IA
miliar with your earlier stages of
administration.
This mission reported many mani
festations of progress, many things
achieved which must have strongly
appealed to Philippine pride. l can
assure you they enhanced the pride
of America in her helpful relationship.
1t was the recital of a splendid show
ing in material. intellectual. political
and moral progress 1t gave proof
that no deprivation had hindered your
advancement. that no essential free
dom of citizenship which we claimed
for ourselves was not possessed by
every citizen of the islands. Only
national responsibility is lacking for
which there are ample compensa .ions.
Franki!, tnen. with every mindful
ness for your aspirations, with shared
pride In your achievements, with
gratitude for your loyalty, with re-
iterated assurance that we mean to
hold no people under thhe flag who do
not rejoice in that relationship. l
must say to you that the time is not
yet for independence. I can imagine
continued progress which will make
our bonds either easy to sever. or
rivet them more firmly, because you
will it to be so. We must await that
development. The new order in the
world. made secure, with conquest
outlawed, and with peace made the
covenant Of all civilized peoples. may
speed the day when you neither need
US nor wish our intimate Relationship.
At this time II is not for me to sug-
gest the day, distant or near. Mean
while. / can only renew the proven
assurances of our good intentions,
our desire to be helpful without ex-
acting from your private or public
purse. or restricting the freedom un-
der which men and peoples aspire and
achieve No backward step is con-
tcmplated. no dimtnution Of your do
mestic control Is to be sought Our
relation to your domestic affairs is
that Of an unselfish devotion which
Is born Of our fate in opening to you
the way of liberty OF which you
dreamed. our sponsorship in inter-
national affairs Is reflected in the
common flag which is unfurled for
YOU as It Is for US, and security is
your seal Of American relationship. :.