The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-26
fILIPINOS BREAK
WITH CEN. WOOD
The Cabinet and the Council of
State Charge Him With
Undue Dictation.
He ACCEPTS RESERVATIONS
Governor General Tells ouezon and
Others That They Challenge and
THREATEN WAR to Finish"
Declared by Foes Of Wood.

Manila.-The political war between
Governor General Leonard Wood and
to test the powers of General Wood, a
high official of the party of Manuel
Quezon, president Of the senate and
critic OF the Wood administration.
said.
The controversy, precipitated by the
reinstatement of Ray Conley. United
States secret service agent, came def
nitely to a head with the resignation
Of the cabinet and the council of state.
Mr.. Conley resigned also.
The designations of the cabinet and
the council of state came after all-day
and all-night sessions of members OF
the Filipino political groups and a
gathering Of the council Of state and
the legislative council at General
Woods residence, Malacanan Palace.
A delegation of officials filed into
the executive office, with Quezon at
Its head, and, as they stood in a group
before the governor generals desk,
Quezon read the collective resigna-
lions of the cabinet members and OF
the council Of state, with the signature
of each attached.
AS Quezon finished General Wood
rose, briefly expressed his regret at
their actions and promptly accepted
the designations.
Conley originally was charged with
bribery. but on investigation was
cleared and General Wood r%einstated
him. j. P. Laurel, secretary of the In
terror, resigned in protest and Mayor
Ramon Fernandez of Manila did like
wise.
I'VE have observed for some time
that it is your policy and desire as
governor general to intervene and
control, aver to the smallest details.
our government, both insular and To-
cal, in utter disregard to the authority
and responsibility of the department
heads and other officials concerned"
the officials said in rendering their
designations.
This .olicy recently eliminated in
an unfortunate incident which shook
to its foundations the public opinion
OF the country when you, by undue
interference with the powers and jur-
isdiction of the secretary of the in
terror and the mayor of Manila, rein
stated a member Of the secret service
who had been legally suspended from
office n whose resignation you sub
%sequently accepted on your initiative.
And, to make matters worse, you
took this action without hearing the
proper officials.
This series Of acts constitutes clear
violation of the fundamental law of
the land and other legal provisions,
especially those of Act 2,803, Section
447, of the Administration Code. At
the same time it is a backward step
and curtailment of Filipino autonomy
guaranteed by the organic act and en-
joyed by the Filipino people continu-
ously since the Jones law became eff
fectiye.
Having followed this course Of con-
duct in your relations with the execu-
tive departments and other Offices of
the insular and local governments,
thereby violating the sacred pledge of
the people and the government of the
United States to guarantee the great
est possible measure of ~self-govern-
ment pending the recognition of their
independence, we beg, with the deep
est regret, frankly to state that we are
unable to assume with you response
bflity in the execution of this policy,
and therefore we have decided to ten
der our designations jointly as mem
bers of the council of state and indi-
vidually as secretaries of the depart
ments."
The secretaries involved are those
OF the interior, finance, agriculture,
justice and communications and Man
uel Quezon, president of the senate,
and Speaker Roxas of the house of
representatives.