Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-05

certify OF the present governor gen
eral. 1t is convinced that he has
intended to act, and has acted within
the scope of his proper and consti-
tutional authority. Thus convinced. it
Is determined to sustain him; and its
purpose will be to encourage the
broadcast and most intelligent Coop
Grafton of the Filipino people in this
policy. Looking at the whole situa-
ton fairly and impartially. one cam
pie cannot cooperate in the support
and encouragement of as good an ad-
ministration as has been afforded I'M
der Gov. Gen. Wood. their failure, will
ness for the full obligations of citi-
zenship. than an evidence Of patriotic
eagerness to advance their country.
am convinced that Gov. Gen.
Wood has at no time been other
than a hard-working. painstaking
and conscientious administrator.
Il have found no evidence that he
had exceeded his proper authority, or
that he has acted with any other
than the purpose of best serving the
Thus believing. feel that l am serv-
ing those same interests by saying
frankly that 1t is not possible to
consider the extension of a larger
measure of autonomy to the Filipino
people until they shall have demon
cooperate fully and effectively with
the American government and au-
thorities. For such cooperation /
earnestly appeal to every friend of
the islands and their people. I feel
all confidence that in the measure
in which 1t shall be extended, the
American government will be dis
posed to grant in increasing degree
the aspirations of your people.
Nothing could more regrettably af-
thn lotf -
than that the Filipinos should COM
init themselves to a program calcu-
lated to inspire the fear that possibly
the governmental concessions already
made have been in any measure pre-
mature.
I'm conclusion, let me say that 7
have given careful and somewhat ex-
tended consideration to, the repre-
sensations you have laid before me.
/ have sought counsel of a large
number Of men whom believe able
to give the best advice. Particularly
American nation could not entertain
the purpose OF holding any other peo-
pie in position OF vassalage. In
accepting the obligations which came
to them with the sovereignty of the
Philippine Islands the American peo-
pie had only the wish to. serve, ad-
vance and improve the condition OF
the Filipino people. That thought
has been uppermost in every Ameri-
can determination concerning the
continue the dominating factor in the
American consideration Of the MANY
problems which must inevitably grow
out of such relationship az exists.
Work Toward Freedom.
in any survey Of the history of
the islands in the last quarter GEN.
fury think the conclusion in.
escapable that the Filipino peonje
not the h people sI Of the United States.
sible to believe that the American
people would. wish otherwise. to con-
tinue their responsibility in regard
to the sovereignty and administration
of the islands.
TT Is not conceivable that thew
would desire, merely because they
possessed the power, to continne
exercising any measure Of authority
over . people who would better row
ern on basis Of com
when 1t is apparent that independ.
ence would be better for the peonIa
of the Philippines. from the point of
view OF both their domestic concerns
and their status in the world. and il.
people desire complete independence,
1t is not, possible to doubt that the
American government and people
will glady accord 1t.
Frankly, 1t is not flet that that
time has Come. It Is felt that in the
present state of world relationship
the American government owes an
obligation to continue extending q
protecting arm. to the people of these
islands. 1t Is FELT, also. that, quite
aside from this consideration. there
remain to be achieved by the Filipino
people many greater advances on the
road Of education, culture. economic
and political capacity before they
should undertake the full RESPONSE
bility for their administration. The
American government will assuredly
cooperate In every way to encourage
and inspire the full measure of prog
ress which still seems q necessary
preliminary to independence.
yours very truly.