Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-20
cuPpoRT GENERAL WOOD

cuPPoRT GENERAL WOOD :
you are entitled to the support OF
the Administration and you have it."
Secretary of War Weeks could not
have said anything to Governor Gen.
eral Wood which could have been
more pleasing to many of us. How
ever they may dislike it, the leaders
Of the Filipino indictments, If they
are of sufficient caliber to fit them
in any appreciate degree for leader
ship, will pause and consider. They
have not as yet given evidence of
possessing the requisite caliber and
the situation may not be viewed
without some apprehension.
It will help those in this country,
whose ideas of the situation are not
clear, to read what Secretary Weeks
the legislative leaders and certain
executive officers is at the bottom
legal one. The Congress after full
consideration. vested the authority of
control and supervision over all de-
partments and bureaus in the gov
ernor general, which makes these Of
ficials directly responsible to him and
not to the Legislature as in a parlia-
rnentary form of government.
1.-THE powers Of the governor gen
eral have not been exceeded or mis-
used by you in any instance of which
the war department is advised. If
the Legislature has enacted legisla-
ton violative Of the organic law, such
legislation is null and void, and in
so far as 1t provides for encroach-
ments on the authority Of the gov
ernor- general is in no way binding
upon that official.
=. The Legislature has in a number
OF instances delegated power in vio-
lation of the powers Of constitutional
government. Silence of Congress on
such legislation does not effect a.
modification or amendment Of the Or
ganic law.
The veto power granted to the
governor general is applicable to all
legislation, whether it be local OF
otherwise.
The legislature has provided for
the establishment Of a bank and for
certain investments Of a business or
semi-business character. This was
within the authority of the Legisla-
ture. In agreement with this admin
tstration, you believed these invest
'ments unwise and have advised the
Legislature accordingly. This was
your duty.
Certain officials connected with
the bank were corrupt. You have
brought them to trial. Your duty in
the premises has been fulfilled.
The Legislature must now deter
mine whether these government en-
terprises are to be carried on. or not,
So long S the Legislature indicates
through adequate legislative enact
ment and provision Of necessary
means its desire and purpose to car
. sry them on, you should endeavor to
have it done efficiently.
IF the foregoing offers a basis on
which the cooperation contemplated
by the law can be assured in the
Philippines, 1t will be supported
here"
We do not doubt that the people
of this country wish to see the Fill
pinos in due time achieve their indie
pendence. Indeed, we believe this
wish is so ingrained in the American
people that under appeal they easily
might be led to grant this before con-
.ditions are ready. They would not
have those people exploited, they
Would not knowingly support the
maintenance Of control In that coun-
try ~for the advantage Of commerce
They are not ambitious to become
administrators of colonies, they SYM
pathize with the patriotic aspira-
lions Of a people to govern them
selves. They do not appreciate
probably, how far more susceptible
such peoples are to the domino ton
of unscuplous leaders.
The American people desired and
yet desire to have Cuba govern itself
but II, they have followed the cur
rent news Of recent events they
should be aware it has been neces-
sary in the interests of Cuba and OF
all concerned to exercise a certain
amount of control over the factions
which otherwise would have made
a mess Of Cuban affairs and have
evinced an inability to subordinate
personal or partisan selflshness tc
The welfare of the country.
1t further should be borne in mind
that these Filipino indictments
while not representing all their own
people certainly do not represent
nany thousands Of other inhabitants
IT those islands that have come
ssnder the supervision OF the United
States and for the welfare Of whom
shis country has assumed an obliga-
Hon to- provide. Right now the
Horos. Mehammedan Malays are ir
rebellion against authority repre-.
scented by the Philippine constabulary
backed by the power Of the United
Estates. They are. bitter enemies not
to US but to the Filipinos. Indeed Il
Is not supposable that the SELF
styled Filipino patriots want the
United States to withdraw support;
what they want Is opportunity tc
exploit themselves. with Uncle Sam
to protect them in doing so, that is
we believe this may be truthful,
said Of most Of them. 1t will dc
them no real harm and be immeasur-
ably better for all concerned, If they
4 are plainly told this country must
be the Judge Of its obligations.
n Oklahoma has plenty of water TO,