Evening star., 1924-01-13
PHILIPPINE, FREEDOM
ISSUE COMES TO FORE
Joint Congressional Committee VIII
Debate Fulfillment of Pledges ~ ..
Made to islanders.

fought the Spanish army with the
American soldiers and succeeded in
destroying the Spanish army. In 1900
he was instrumental in arranging
peace terms between the insurgents
and the American army of occupa-
ton. treating with Gen. Macarthur.
the father of Gen. Douglas Macarthur,
formerly commandant at West Point
and now commandant in the Philip
pines.
Commissioner Guevara Joined the
Philippine constabulary forces when
they were organized by Gen. Henry
I. Allen. recently retired, after COM
manding the army of occupation IN
the Rhine, and was with that or
ganization for five years. He was
later editor of two of the most i'm
portant newspapers in the islands.
High Positions Held.
In 1909 he was elected to the
Philippine house Of representatives
and reelected in 1912. When the
Jones law, which promised to rec
ognize the independence Of the Phil
ippine Islands as soon as a stable
government could be established was
passed. in 1916, Guevara was elected
to the senate and reelected in 1919.
In 1928 he was drafted" to serve
as resident commissioner in Wash
ington to take charge of the Philip
pine plea in Congress for distinct
entity as nation. This entailed
self-sacrifice. as he had risen to dis
tinction as a leading lawyer in the
islands. with an income from his pro-
fession several times the salary he
receives here.
With this background of intimate
and personal knowledge of all the
conditions affecting the protectorate
that the United States exercises over
the Islands and of the local feeling
of devotion to the United States,
Commissioner Guevara has been able
to present the facts fairly to his col
leagues in Congress, with the result
that there is now much better
understanding of the principles in
volVeu and a sincere desire to set
the new nation on its own feet.
Cites Island Loyalty.
Commissioner Guevara On all occa-
sions emphasizes that his people, who.
knowing the Americans through
their history and traditions, did not
hesitate to join the cause of the
United States and fought the Span
ish army with the ardor Of patriots
are eternally grateful to the United
States for its aid thus far. I'VE will
always be ready to fight for our
American big brothers against any
other nation" he declared. "In time
Of trouble the United States will ever
find us loyal" he declares. He ridi-
cules the objection that the Japanese
and the Philippine people might join
forces in way inimical to the United
states, and protests that there can
never be alliance between the Filipinos
and the Japanese.
He calls attention that Presidents
Mckinley. Roosevelt. Taft and Will
son have defined in an unequivocal
way the aim of American occupa-
ton in the Philippines on behalf, not
of any party, but of the American
nation. He quotes from the late
President Harding, adhering to this
doctrine. when he said:
mo fixed intent. no thought Of con-
quest, no individual or governmental
desire to exploit, no desire to colon
ize brought US together
Congress has also defined the
spirit Of the American occupation in
the Philippines" Commissioner Cue
vara says. "ln the light of these
tain the theory of responsibility
without authority. Only conquering
nations can uphold such q principle
Of government. The American peo-
pie as a nation have won for them
selves moral authority, not only in
whole world. The true American
spirit prefers moral authority to ma
terial sub5ugation. We rely on the
sense OF justice Of the American peo-
pie.
/ II ask that the Filipino people be
given independence to the end that
my people may be happy. helpful to
the world ever grateful to the United
States and champions of the eternal
principle Of justice for all peoples"