New Britain herald., 1924-03-05
COOLIDGE OPPOSES
 PHILIPPINE PLEAS
Time for Freedom Not Yet Ripe, He Tells Independence Mission
HE ALSO LAUDS GEN. WOOD
In Present State of World Relation ship Filipinos Still Need Protecting Arm of U. S., He Writes-Has Con- fidence in Governor General.

Washington, March 5.-President Coolidge informed the Philippine In dependence Mission today that in his opinion the time has not yet come for separation of the Philippines from the United States.
 In letter to Manuel Roxas. chair man of the mission, the president also declared that the United States government has full confidence in the ability. good intentions, fairness and sincerity of Governor General Wood.
 Still Need Protection.
 In the present state Of world re- lationship." the letter said. the Amer ican government owes an obligation to continue extending protecting arm to the people of these islands,
 Mr. Coolidge's letter was written in reply to resolutions passed by the island legislature asking for inde- pendence and attacking General Wood. The presidents views are expected 10 have weight in house consideration of bill providing foi independence. recently reported by th" insular committee. This meas ure, committee members say, was brought in simply to place the ques- ton squarely before the house itself for discussion.
 The government of the United States" the president wrote, would no, feel that it had performed its !uIl duty by the Filipino people, or discharged all of its obligations to civilization. if it should yield al this lime to your aspirations for national indop udence."
 The government is convinced, the president said, that General Wood. who was attacked in the resolutions 9, the Philippine legislative bodies ! ad intended to act and has acted within tho scope or hts proper and constitutional authority"
 Win sustain Governor.
 Thus convinced," he continued. 'it is determined to sustain him; and its purpose will be 10 encourage tho l,roadest and most intelligent coop ,liion Of tho Filipino people in this policy.
 "l.oohing ai tho whole situation fairly and impartially, one cannot but fr.l that Y the Filipino people ri !lnlt cnopcratn in the support and encouragement of as good an ad- r,inistrttion as has been afforded under Governor General Wood, their failure will be raihcr tcsti- H oay or uupreparcdness Tor the full obligations Of citizenship, than an ,vidrurc or patriotic preparedness Co a1t,J.co their country"
 Tng communication vas 5000 words long and reviewed in detail inc trcla-alions of the Philippine lcgis- lrturr and the grievances against General Wood. Tho gist of tho com plaint. the president said. was ''that tho rfryrnt executive authority Of the islands is in your opinion out Of sympathy with the reasonable aspir- aIions of thc Filipino people"
 "Il is occasion for satisfaction 10 .H concerned. ''the president wrote, that this declaration is couchcd in {, rms or moderation, and that it goes un farther than 10 invoke all law ful means without our power So long as such discussion as this shall b, confined to the consideration or law rul means there w'l Dc reason 10 anticipate mutually benciiccnt con. ciusions. That you haze thus declared the purpose to restrict your modes or appeal and methods or enforcing if, Is gratifying ctidcncn O. inc progress which the Filipino people. under
 tl'oatiutIpd on TaEe lSb