New Britain herald., 1924-03-05
Questions Grievances


 demonstrated capacity for sclf-gov- .rnmeni.
 Questions Grievances
 "Thc extent To which the grie> ancas which you suggest ar shared by l filipino people has been q subject of some disagreement. Th" American Tp crpmemt has information which justities it in the confidence that a sery large proportion at any Iatc, and possibly a aioFity Of the substantial osti1cEry ot the islands, does not sup gft the claim that there are grounds iyr serious grievance. \ considers blc ,,tion of the Filipino people is fur t..tr of the opinion that at this time Hny change which would weaken the tic between the F'ilipinos and the American nation would be misfor- tune to the islands"
 Declaring that the world ''is ill a state of high tension and unsettle- msnt, the letter points to the possi- biiity "of oisIer economic or political disorders, calculated 10 bring mis- fortune. if not disast to the Filipino people. unless they are strongly sup- ported" Attention is called to the ''stabiizing advantages" aecruipg to the Philippines through the intorna- tional agreements resulting from the Washington conference.
 By reason Of their assurance against attack by any power" the let fer continued. by reason also Of that financial and economic strength which inevitably accrues to them; by reason Of the expanded and still expanding opportunities for industrial and eco homie development: because of all these considerations, the Filipino peo- pie would do well to consider most carefully the value Of their intimate association with the American nation.
 still Far From Capable
 Although they have made won derful advances in the last quarter century, the Filipino people are by no means equipped, either in wealth or experience, to undertake the heavy burden which would be imposed upon them byNpolitical independence. x II is to be doubted whether with the utmost exertion, the most complete solidarity among themselves, the most unqualified and devoted patriotism, it would be possible for the people of inc islands to maintain an indepcn- 1 dent place in the world for an indefi- | nite future"
 The president invited attention 10 ihe condition in which some other 1 peoples find themselves because they ! lack such guaranties and assurances ! ss the Filipino people enjoy"
 saved In World War
 Had the Philippines not been under . inc protection of tn. United States. he said, they more than probably , would have been involved deeply in thr world war, and their indepen- denec and nationality would have be- come, as did those of many other n oplcs, rawns In the great world re- .fg4ntzation
 Assurances were given by the presi- dent that tho American people had i neFer entertained any purpose oi nN- . plotting tine Filipino people of their country I rin American government, tho leiigr continues "is convinced that il Eus thr overwhelming support Of tho American nation in its conviction that present independence would be Ii mis. I1lAAii anu Hll%li+ tINiiA htfNl11 II | disaster to the Filipino people. Upon that conviction, tho policy of this gor. ornment is based, Axx
 "The American government has bnun most liberal in opening to tle Filipino people the opportunities of I'm lafgrg practicable participation in, and control Of, their own admin X In education, in cultural advancement. in political and institutional develop nout. ho Filipino people have drm q capariiy which cannot hut justify high hopra for their future. "iiHi I am frankly convinced { that the very mission upon which toH liate addressed mo is itself an cvidencr i tbFtf something is yct Iarkine ir 1t. 1 Nelopment or political consciousness aud rapartty.
 ''tJrir who r&aminrs thr grounds m l nhirb are based the proicat against tise prpsfnt siiH4tinn is forced tn cnn- cin1o thui ttrfu has noi bccu thus far v fHii realization pf tl" ftinda- mental ideals pf dt uprratir P, ptbli- tau government There have been cyi- i