Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-18
MANILA ROW IS
TEST GEN. WOODS
POWER IN ISLANDS

Manila, July 17-(By A. P.)-The
political war between Governor Gen.
eral Wood and Filipino officials is a
fight to the finish to test the powers
Of Governor General Wood, a high
official of the party of Manuel Que.
zcn. president Of the senate and critic
of the Wood administration, said to-
day.
The controversy, precipitated by
the reinstatement of Ray Conley,
United States secret service agent,
came definitely to a head today with
| the resignation of the cabinet and the
council Of state. Conley also re-
signed today.
The designations Of the cabinet and
the council of state came suddenly
aIter all day and all night sessions
OF members of the Filipino political
groups and gathering OF the council
OF state and the legislative council
at Governor General Woods official
residence.
A delegation of officials filed into
the executives offices, with Quezon
at us mead, and. as they stood in
group before the governor generals
designations OF the cabinet members
and of the council of state. with the
signature OF each attached.
AS Quezon finished. Governor Can
eral Wood arose. briefly expressed his
regret at their actions and promptly
accepted the designations.
Conley originally was charged with
bribery. but on investigation he was
cleared and governor General Wood
relnstated him. J. p. Laurel. secretary
ot the interior, resigned in protest and
mayor Ramon Fernandez of Manila did
likewise.
we have observed for some time
that 1t is your policy and desire as gov
ernor general to intervene and control
even TO the smallest details, our gov
eminent. both insular and local. in nj
ter disregard of the authority and re-
sponsibility of the department heads
and other officials concerned" the Off
Gals said in rendering their resigna-
tons.
Ihls policy recently eliminated in
an unfortunate incident which shook
TO Its foundations the public opinion
OF the country when you, by undue in
terIerence with the powers and juris-
dlction Of the secretary of the inte-
rior and the mayor of Manila, rein
stated member of the secret service
who had been legally removed from
ONCE and whose removed was accom-
pllshed through your own initiative
You took this action without hear
ing the proper officials"
In reply Governor General Wood
said:
Il have listened with deep regret
to the statement you have just read
and which comes to me as a surprise
ana clearly indicates previous con-
certed action on your part; action
taken deliberately and of which no
previous notice has come to me I'M
til my arrival at this conference.
Your action is not based on any
previous protest or complaint. 1t in
dicates organized and preconcerted
attack by the Filipino department
secretaries, members of the legisia-
ture and members Of the council of
state upon the authority Of the Gov
crnor General under the organic act
and as the representative of the SOW
ereign power of the United States.
wholly uncalled for 1 beg to state
most definitely and emphatically
that each and every declaration made
IN your statement which charges
neglect of the prerogatives and
rights of the secretaries or disregard
Tor the organic laws is without the
slightest foundation in fact.
You are aware of this because
mere in your own presence Secretary
OF Justice Santos declared that dur
ing our entire association of more
than year. no recommendation of
his has ever been disapproved - .
Your plans have been deliberately
made and your action is in the
nature Of challenge and threat
which l cannot ignore. 1 regret ex-
ceedingly this occurrence. 1t can be
productive of only unfortunate re-
suits - results prejudicial to the
cause in which we both are interest
ed. 1t means an abandonment Of
your posts and obligations at a time
of great responsibility in a manner
unsupported by evidence and I'M
worthy of the attention of serious
minded men.
Il desire to thank you all for your
courtesy and cooperation in the past
and again to express my regret at
this action.
Under the circumstances there is
no alternative left for me but to ac-
cept. as l now do, your designations
as presented"