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 SEP 24 19] 
 
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 PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE 
 
 MEMORIAL OF THE PHILIPPINE MISSION, ASKING THAT IMMEDIATE 
 INDEPENDENCE BE GRANTED THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 
 
 The Filipino people respectfully submit the following propositions : 
 
 1. That as defined and established in the act of Congress of August 
 29, 1916, the purpose of the Government of the United States is to with- 
 draw its sovereignty over the Philippine Islands as soon as a stable gov- 
 ernment can be established therein. 
 
 2. That In accordance with the terms and provisions of said law the 
 people of the Philippines have organized a government that has been in 
 operation for nearly three years and which has offered complete evi- 
 dence that conditions are ripe for the establishment of an independent 
 government that will be fully capable of maintaining law and order, 
 administer justice, promote the welfare of all the inhabitants of the 
 Islands, and discharge as well Its international obligations. 
 
 3. That the Filipino people desire their independence at this time, 
 and along with that independence they confidently hope ^o preserve the 
 bonds of good understanding and friendship which bind them to the 
 United States, and to foster the free development of commercial rela- 
 tions between the two countries. 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. JAIME C. DE VEYRA 
 
 OF THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 IF# THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 Wednesday, June 11, 1919 
 
 122370— 191S9 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 1919 
 
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 / V 
 
 
 SEP 24 191 P 
 
 
 
 
 E EMAEKS 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. JAIME 0. HE VEYRA. 
 
 Mr. DE VEYRA. Mr. Speaker, under the leave granted to me 
 to extend my remarks in tlie Recokd, I include a memorial of tlie 
 Philippine Mission addressed to the Congress of the United 
 States. 
 
 Tlie memorial is as follows : 
 
 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 
 States: 
 
 The undersigned, members of the Philippine mission, pursuant 
 to the instructions received from the Philippine Legislature and 
 in accordance with the wishes of the Filipino people, beg to sub- 
 mit hereby to the Congress of the United States of America a 
 formal petitioa that the independence of the Philippine Islands 
 be granted at this time. \ 
 
 It is confidently hoped and believed that the Congress will not 
 suffer this opportunity to pass by at a time when the whole 
 w’orld is so anxious to see international relations established 
 upon newer and more solid foundations of universal justice and 
 liberty. 
 
 America has constituted herself and has justly been recog- 
 nized as the champion of the rights of humanity in the last 
 World War, and due in a great measure to her heroic efforts and 
 generous aid mankind has been saved from the thraldom of 
 greed and oppression, and the rights of small and weaker na- 
 tions to exist side by side with the great powers vindicated. 
 
 The recognition of the independence of the Philippines at this 
 time will constitute an object lesson to the whole world in respect 
 of the lofty and altruistic aims which have prompted America to 
 take part in the great war, for it will furnish a practical appli- 
 cation of her doctrine of self-determination. 
 
 For the first time in the history of colonial relations a subject 
 and alien race comes to ask the severance of their political con- 
 nection with the sovereign nation without recounting any act of 
 injustice, but rather with a feeling of gratitude and affection. 
 Our plea for independence is based not on the injustice which 
 might be found in the forcible subjection of the Filipinos, but on 
 the justice of our claim that the national sovereignty of our 
 people be fully recognized, in order that we may freely fulfill our 
 own mission and contribute to the spread and establishment of 
 democracy and Christian institutions in the Far East. 
 
 With this end in view, we respectfully submit the fol- 
 lowing propositions: 
 
 1. That as defined and established in the act of Congress 
 of August 29, 1916, the purpose of the Government of the 
 United States is to withdraw its sovereignty over the 
 122370— 194S9 3 
 
 
 0 
 
4 
 
 v 
 
 Philippine Islands as soon as a stable government can he 
 established therein. 
 
 2. That in accordance- with the terms and provisions of 
 said law the people of the Philippines have organized a 
 ..government that has been in operation for nearly three 
 years and which has offered complete evidence that condi- 
 tions are ripe for the establishment of an independent 
 government that will be fully capable of maintaining law 
 and order, administer justice, promote the welfare of all 
 the inhabitants of the islands, and discharge as well its 
 international obligations. 
 
 8. That the Filipino people desire their independence at 
 this time, and along with that independence they confi- 
 dently hope to preserve the bonds of good understanding 
 and friendship which bind them to the United States, and 
 to foster the free development of commercial relations 
 between the two countries. 
 
 i. 
 
 AMERICA’S PHILIPPINE POLICY HAS BEEN 
 CONSISTENT. 
 
 The act of Congress of August 29, 1916, entitled “An act to 
 declare the purpose of the people of the United States as to 
 the future political status of the people of the Philippine Is- 
 lands and to provide a more autonomous government for those 
 islands,” said in its preamble: 
 
 Whereas it was never the intention of the people of the United States 
 in the incipiency of the War with Spain to make it a war of con- 
 quest or for territorial aggrandizement ; and 
 Whereas it Is, as it has always been, the purpose qf the people of the 
 United States to withdraw their sovereignty over the Philippine 
 Islands and to recognize their independence as soon as a stable gov- 
 ernment can be established therein ; and 
 Whereas for the speedy accomplishment of such purpose it is desirable 
 to place in the hands of the people of the Philippines as large a 
 control of their domestic affairs as can be given them without, in the 
 meantime, impairing the exercise of the rights of sovereignty by the 
 people of the United States in order that, by the use and exercise 
 of popular franchise and governmental powers, they may be the 
 better prepared to fully assume the responsibilities and enjoy all the 
 privileges of complete independence, etc. 
 
 The statements contained in the above preamble have had the 
 effect of ratifying and giving concrete form to the declarations 
 which, ever since the advent of American sovereignty in the 
 Philippines up to the enactment of said law, the Presidents of 
 the United States and their representatives have been making 
 concerning America’s aim and policy in the islands. 
 
 President McKinley, at the beginning of the Spanish-Ameri- 
 can*War, said: 
 
 Forcible annexation can not be thought of ; that, according to the 
 American code of morals, is criminal aggression. # 
 
 In President McKinley’s instructions to the first Philippine 
 Commission, on the 20th of January, 1899, he expressed the hope 
 that these commissioners would be received as bearers of “ the 
 richest blessings of a liberating rather than a conquering 
 Nation.” . j 
 
 In his message to Congess in the same year, among other 
 things concerning the Philippines, he said : 
 
 We shall continue, as we have begun, to open the schools and the 
 churches, to set the courts in operation, to foster industry and trade 
 122370—19489 ^ 
 
5 
 
 *nd agriculture, and in every way in our power to make these people 
 whom Providence has brought within our jurisdiction feel that it is 
 their liberty and not our power, their welfare and not our gain, we are 
 Becking to enhance. 
 
 And again he said : 
 
 The Philippines are ours, not to exploit but to develop, to civilize, to 
 educate, to train in the science of self-government. This is the path of 
 duty which w T e must follow or be recreant to a mighty trust committed 
 to us. 
 
 Upon another occasion he said : 
 
 We accepted the Philippines from high duty In the interest of their 
 Inhabitants, and for humanity and civilization. Our sacrifices were 
 with this high motive. We want to improve the condition of the in- 
 habitants, securing them peace, liberty, and the pursuit of their highest 
 good. 
 
 In his message to Congress in the following year he said : 
 
 The fortune of war has thrown upon this Nation an unsought trust 
 which should be unselfishly discharged, and devolved upon this Gov- 
 ernment a moral as well as -material responsibility toward those millions 
 whom we have freed from an oppressive yoke. * 
 
 I have on another occasion called the Filipinos “ the wards of the 
 Nation.” Our obligation as guardian was not lightly assumed ; it must 
 not be otherwise than honestly fulfilled, aiming, first of all,, to benefit 
 those who have come under our fostering care. It is our duty so to 
 treat them that our flag may be no less beloved in the mountains of 
 Luzon and the fertile zones of Mindanao and Negros than it is at home; 
 that there, as here, it shall be the revered symbol of liberty, enlighten- 
 ment, and progress in every avenue of development. 
 
 The Filipinos arc a race quick to learn and to profit by knowledge. 
 
 In his instructions to the second Philippine commission he 
 made the following observations : 
 
 In all the forms of Government and administrative provisions which 
 they are authorized to prescribe, the commission should bear in mind 
 that the Government which they are establishing is designed not for 
 our satisfaction or for the expression of our theoretical views but for 
 the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the people of the Philippine 
 Islands. 
 
 President Taft, while Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands, 
 on the 17th of December, 1903, said : 
 
 From the beginning to the end of the State papers which were circu- 
 lated in these islands as authoritative expressions of the Executive, the 
 motto that “ the Philippines are for the Filipinos,” and that the Gov- 
 ernment of the United States is here for the purpose of preserving the 
 “ Philippines for the Filipinos ” for their benefit, for their elevation, 
 for their civilization, again and again and again appear. 
 
 And upon the same occasion, and in response to a particularly 
 vicious newspaper attack which was then being made upon him 
 by the American papers published in the islands, he said : 
 
 Some of our young lions of the local press have spoken of the 
 ,r childish slogan,” “The Philippines for the Filipinos.” It is unneces- 
 sary to comment on the adjective used, but it is sufficient to say that, 
 whether childish or not, the principle makes up the web and woof of the 
 policy of the United States with respect to these islands, as it has been 
 authoritatively declared by two Presidents of the United States — for 
 President Roosevelt has followed sedulously the policy of President Mc- 
 Kinley — and by the interpretation of the supreme popular will, the Con- 
 gress of the United States. 
 
 He points out that the actions of the President, as well as his 
 instructions, have been expressly approved and ratified by an 
 act of Congress. 
 
 President Roosevelt, in his message to Congress of December « 
 G, 1904, said : 
 
 We are endeavoring to develop the natives themselves so that they 
 shall take an ever-increasing .share in their own government, aud as far 
 as is prudent we are already admitting their representatives to a govern- 
 mental equality with our own. * * * If they show that they are 
 capable of electing a legislature which in its turn is capable of taking 
 122370—10489 
 
6 
 
 » Seine and efficient part in the actual work of government, they can 
 rest assured that a full and increasiug measure of recognition will be 
 given them. 
 
 And in 1906 ho said : 
 
 We are constantly increasing the measure of liberty accorded tho 
 islanders, and next spring, if conditions warrant, wo shall take a great 
 Stride forward in testing their capacity for self-government by sum- 
 moning tho first Filipino legislative assembly ; and the way in which 
 they stand this test will largely determine whether the self-government 
 thus granted will be increased or decreased ; for if we have erred at all 
 in the Philippines it has been in proceeding too rapidly in the direction 
 oPgranting a large measure of self-government. 
 
 When Mr. Taft was Secretary of War, in the course of a 
 special report upon the Philippines, he said : 
 
 Wh£n they have learned the principles of successful popular self- 
 government from a gradually enlarged experience therein we can discuss 
 the question whether independence is what they, desire and grant it 
 or whether they prefer the retention of a closer association with the 
 > country which, by its guidance, has .unselfishly led them on to better 
 conditions. 
 
 In a special report made by Secretary Taft on the Philippines 
 and their political future, with special reference to the policy 
 which had been pursuffl there, he said : 
 
 The -conditions in the islands to-day vindicate and justify that policy. 
 It necessarily involves in its ultimate conclusion as the steps toward 
 self-government become greater and greater the ultimate independence 
 of the islands, although, of course, if both the United States and tho 
 islands were to continue a governmental relation between them like that 
 between England and Australia, there would be nothing inconsistent 
 With the present policy in such a result. 
 
 Further on he says : 
 
 Thus far the policy of the Philippines has worked. It has been at- 
 tacked on the ground that we have gone too fast, that we have given 
 the natives too much power. The meeting of the assembly and the con- 
 servative tone of that body thus far disclosed makes for our view 
 rather than that of our opponents. 
 
 In 1908, after the inauguration of the Philippine Assembly, 
 President Roosevelt in his message to Congress said : 
 
 Real progress toward self-government is being made in the Philippine 
 Islands. 
 
 And in referring to the Philippine Assembly, he said : 
 
 Hitherto this Philippine Legislature has acted with moderation and 
 self-restraint, and has seemed in practical fashion to realize the eternal 
 truth that there must always be government, and that the only way 
 in which any body of individuals can escape the necessity of being 
 governed by outsiders is to show that they are able to restrain them- 
 selves, to keep down wrongdoing and disorder. The Filipino people, 
 through their officials, are therefore making real steps in the direction 
 of self-government. I hope and believe that those steps mark the be- 
 ginning of a course which will continue till the Filipinos become fit to 
 decide for themselves whether they desire to be an independent nation. 
 
 In a special message to Congress on January 27, 1908, trans- 
 mitting a special report made by Secretary Taft on the Philip- 
 pines, lie said : 
 
 But no great civilized power has ever managed with such wisdom and 
 disinterestedness the affairs of a people committed by the accident of 
 war to its hands. Save only our attitude toward Cuba. I question 
 whether there is a brighter page in the annals of international dealings 
 between the strong and the weak than the page which tells of our 
 doings in the Philippines. 
 
 > Further oil he says : 
 
 The islanders have made real advances in a hopeful, direction, and 
 they have opened well with the new Philippine Assembly ; they have yet 
 a long way to travel before they will be fit for complete self-government, 
 and for deciding, as it will then be their duty to do, whether this self- 
 government shall be accompanied by complete independence. 
 
 122370— 1SHS9 
 
7 
 
 Former Governor General James F. Smith, in an article en- 
 titled “.The Philippines as I saw them,” published in the Sunset 
 Magazine of December, 1911, said : 
 
 The holding of the Philippines, not for selfish exploitation but as a 
 sacred trust for the benefit of those residing in them, the establishment 
 of a government, not for our satisfaction or for the expression of our 
 theoretica-1 views but for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of the 
 Filipino people, the evolution of a government by Americans assisted 
 by Filipinos, into a government of Filipinos assisted by Americans, and 
 the education and preparation of the people for popular self-government 
 was the broad policy of President McKinley, of President Roosevelt, of 
 Governor Taft, of Governor General Wright, of Governor General Ide, 
 and of all their successors. It is the policy to-day, and its continuance 
 will, I believe, bring the Filipino race happy and contented to the realiza- 
 tion of its hopes and ideal rarely attained, rarely enjoyed, save through 
 blood and tears. 
 
 After Secretary Taft was elected President, in a message to 
 Congress, delivered on December 6, 1912, lie said : 
 
 We should * * * endeavor to secure for the Filipinos economic 
 independence and to fit them for complete self-government, with the 
 power to decide eventually, according to their own largest good, whether 
 such self-government shall be accompanied by independence. 
 
 Secretary Stimson, in bis annual report of 1912, said : 
 
 The policy of the United States was definitely and materially declared 
 in the instructions of President McKinley to the Philippine Commission 
 of April 7, 1900, and it has never been departed from since. It is con- 
 tained in every step of the 'consistent progress of our insular govern- 
 ment. President McKinley’s statement was expressly and affirmatively 
 confirmed by the Congress of the United States in the organic act for 
 the Philippine Government of July 1, 1902. Briefly, this policy may be 
 expressed as having for its sole object the preparation of the Philippine 
 people for popular self-government in their own interest and in the 
 interest of the United States * * *. 
 
 The postponement of the question of independence for the islands has 
 been deliberately made, not for promoting our interests, but solely in 
 order to enable that momentous question to be determined intelligently 
 by the Philippine people in the light of their own highest interest. 
 
 On the 1st of March, 1913, President Taft adverted to the 
 Democratic platform -with reference to the Philippines and 
 quoted that portion of it which referred to the purpose of the 
 United States to “ recognize the independence of the Philippine 
 Islands as soon as a stable government can be established, and 
 said that this was “ an affirmation of policy only slightly differ- 
 ing from that repeatedly announced by this and preceding Repub- 
 lican administrations.” 
 
 Governor General W. Cameron Forbes, in his farewell speech 
 before leaving the islands, made the statement “ that the plat- 
 forms of both parties reached the same general conclusion in 
 regard to the granting of independence when a stable govern- 
 ment should be established.” He subsequently, in a published 
 speech in this country, correcipd this statement to the extent of 
 substituting the word “ policies ” for the word “ platforms.” 
 Upon the present administration coming into authority here, 
 the President authorized Governor General Harrison, in his 
 opening address, to make the following statement: 
 
 We regard ourselves as trustees, acting, not for the advantage of the 
 United States but for the benefit of the people of the Philippine Islands. 
 Every step we take will be taken with a view to the ultimate inde- 
 pendence of the islands and as a preparation for that independence, and 
 we hope to move toward that end as rapidly as the safety and the per- 
 manent interests of the islands will permit. After each step taken 
 experience will guide us to the next. The administration will take one 
 step at once, and it will give to the native citizens of the islands a 
 majority in the appointive commission, and thus in the upper as well as 
 in the lower house of the legislature a majority representation will be 
 122370 — 194S9 
 
8 
 
 secured to them. We do this in the confident hope and expectation that 
 immediate proof will be given in the action of the commission under 
 the new arrangement of the political capacity of those native citizens 
 who have already come forward to represent and to lead their people 
 in affairs. 
 
 President Wilson, in his message to Congress delivered on 
 December 2, 1913, said : 
 
 * * * Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philippines arc ours,' Indeed, but 
 
 not ours to do what we please with. Such territories, once regarded- as 
 mere possessions, are no longer to be selfishly exploited ; they are part 
 of the domain of public conscience and of serviceable and enlightened 
 • statesmanship. We must administer them for the people who live in 
 them and with the same sense of responsibility to them as toward our 
 own people in our domestic affairs. No doubt we shall successfully 
 enough bind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands to ourselves by ties » 
 of justice and interest and affection, but the performance of our duty 
 toward the Philippines is a more difficult and debatable matter. Wc 
 can satisfy the obligations of generous justice toward the people of 
 Porto Rico' by giving them the ample and familiar rights and privileges 
 accorded our own citizens in our own Territories and our obligations 
 toward the people of Hawaii by perfecting the provisions for self- 
 government already granted them, but in the Philippines wo must go 
 further. We must hold steadily in view their ultimate independence, 
 and we must move toward the time of that independence as steadily 
 as the way can be cleared and the foundations thoughtfully and per- 
 manently laid. - — 
 
 Acting under the authority conferred upen the President by Congress, 
 
 I have already accorded the people of the islands a majority in both 
 houses of their legislative body by appointing five instead of four native 
 citizens to the membership of the commission. I believe that In this 
 way we shall make proof of their capacity in counsel and their sense 
 of responsibility in the exercise of political power, and that the success 
 of this step will be sure to clear our view for the steps which arc to 
 follow. Step by step we should extend and perfect the system of self- 
 government in the islands,' making test of them and modifying them 
 as experience discloses their successes and their failures ; so that we 
 should more and more put under the control of the native citizens of 
 the archipelago the essential instruments of their life, their local instru- 
 mentalities of government, their schools, all the common interests of 
 their communities, and so by counsel and experience set up a govern- 
 ment which all the world will see to be suitable to a people whose affairs 
 are under their control. At last, I hope and believe, we are beginning to 
 gain the confidence of the Filipino people. By tneir counsel and ex- 
 perience. rather than by our own, we shall learn how best to serve 
 them and how soon it will be possible and wise to withdraw our super- 
 vision. Let us once find the path and set out with firm and confident 
 tread upon it and we shall not wander from it nor linger upon it. 
 
 In another message to Congress, delivered on December 8, 
 
 1914, he said : 
 
 There Is another great piece of legislation which awaits and should 
 receive the sanction of the Senate : I mean the bill which gives a 
 larger measure of self-government to the people of the Philippines. How 
 better, in this time of anxious questioning and perplexed policy, could 
 we show our confidence in the principles of liberty as the source as 
 well as the expression of life, how better could we demonstrate our own 
 self-possession and steadfastness in the courses of justice and disin- 
 terestedness than by thus going calmly forward to fulfill our promises 
 to a dependent people, who will now look more anxiously than over to 
 see whether we have indeed the liberality, the unselfishness, the courage, 
 the faith we have boasted and professed. I can not believe yiat the 
 Senate will let this great measure of constructive justice await the 
 action of another Congress. Its passage would nobly crown the record 
 of these two years of memorable labor. 
 
 And in liis message to Congress delivered on December 7, 
 
 1915, lie said : 
 
 There is another matter which seems to me to be very intimately 
 associated with the question of national safety and preparation for de- 
 fense. That is our policy toward the Philippines and the people of 
 Porto Rico. Our treatment of them and their attitude toward us are 
 manifestly of the first consequence in the development of our duties in 
 the world and in getting a free hand to perform those duties. We must 
 be free from every unnecessary burden or embarrassment, and there 
 122370—19489 ' 
 
Is no tetter way To be clear of embarrassment than to fulfill our 
 promises anrl promote the interests of those dependent on us to the 
 utmost. Bills for the alteration and reform of the government of the 
 Philippines and for rendering fuller political justice to the people of 
 Porto Rico were submitted to the Sixty-third Congress. They will be 
 submitted also to you. I need not particularize their details. You are 
 most of you already familiar with them. But I do recommend them to 
 your early adoption with the sincere conviction that there are few 
 measures you could adopt which would more serviceably clear the way 
 for the great policies by which we wish to make good, now and always, 
 our right to lead in enterprises of peace and good will and economic and 
 political freedom. 
 
 In the January, 1915, number of. Everybody’s Magazine ex- 
 President Roosevelt indorsed this contention, and said : 
 
 If we act so that the natives understand us to have made a definite 
 promise, then we should live up to that promise. The Philippines, from 
 a military standpoint, are a source of weakness to us. The present 
 administration has promised explicitly to let them go, and by its action 
 has rendered it difficult to hold them against any serious foreign foe. 
 These being the circumstances, the islands should at an early moment 
 be given their independence, without any guaranty whatever by us and 
 without our retaining any foothold in them. 
 
 As stated at the outset, all of the preceding statements were 
 finally adopted or ratified by the Congress by the passage on 
 August 29, 1916, of the law generally known as the Jones law, 
 
 In view of the documents' above quoted, of the official state- 
 ments made by the eoDStitutional representatives of the Ameri- 
 can people, and of the steps taken in accordance with thosfe 
 statements, the policy of the United States in the Philippines 
 appears to be clearly defined, namely, that it has never been 
 nor is it the purpose of the United States to retain possession 
 of the Philippine Islands for exploitation and self-aggrandize- 
 ment, but rather for the welfare, education, and liberty of thei.r 
 inhabitants; that the government therein established is de- 
 signed not for the satisfaction or for the expression of the 
 theoretical views of the American people, but the training of thp 
 Filipinos in the science of self-government by means of gradual 
 participation in the administration of their own affairs ; thaif: 
 when the Filipinos shall have learned the principles of popular 
 self-government, then it is for them to decide whether they 
 should be independent or remain under The sovereignty of the 
 United States ; and, finally, that it is the purpose of the Govern- 
 ment of thn United States to grant the Filipinos their complete 
 independence as soon as a stable government can be established 
 in the islands. 
 
 As has been indicated, President McKinley originally out- 
 lined this policy, which Mr. Taft so happily summed up in his 
 immortal phrase, “ the Philippines for the Filipinos.” Such a 
 policy has been faithfully observed by his successors in office 
 and carried on by the present administration to such an extent 
 that the Filipinos have been afforded an opportunity to show 
 -that they are in fact able to exercise the duties and powers of a 
 popular, complete self-government. * 
 
 In view of the foregoing considerations there remains nothing 
 to be determined, in accordance with the avowed policy of the 
 United States above adverted to, but the following points : 
 
 1. Whether the Filipinos have met the requirements pre- 
 scribed in the act of Congress of August 29, 1916 ; that is to say, 
 whether they have show.n that they are sufficiently prepared to 
 Ostablish an independent, stable government. 
 
 2. Whether the Filipinos prefer independence to any other 
 political status or condition. 
 
 122370 — 19489 
 
10 
 
 II. 
 
 THERE EXISTS A STABLE GOVERNMENT IN THE 
 PHILIPPINES. 
 
 This chapter is devoted to an account of the work done by 
 the Filipinos ever since they have been allowed to take an active 
 part in the affairs of their government, and particularly after 
 the establishment of the autonomous government authorized by 
 the Jones law, with a view of showing that conditions in the 
 islands are ripe for the establishment of a stable, independent 
 government. 
 
 For a better understanding of the subject, it will be necessary 
 to divide this chapter into various sections and to limit our- 
 selves to the treatment of those fundamental elements which 
 constitute the foundation of a popular self-government and 
 insure its stability and development. 
 
 REORGANIZATION OF THE INSULAR GOVERNMENT. 
 
 The enactment of the Jones law, in so far as it gave the 
 Filipinos a greater autonomy in the administration of their 
 public affairs, has put to a test the degree of political training 
 acquired by the Filipinos under American methods as well as 
 their ability in the organization of an efficient national gov- 
 ernment. From a study of the manner in which the Filipinos 
 effected the reorganization of the insular government previ- 
 ously existing, the principles followed by them, the difficulties 
 which they had to overcome, and the results aimed at and 
 attained by such reorganization, we may form an adequate 
 judgment as to whether they possess or not the required « 
 
 capacity for independence. 
 
 This was not the first time in which the Filipinos attempted 
 the establishment of a national government. They have had 
 experience along that line when the revolutionary congress at 
 Malolos drafted a constitution for the short-fived Phifippine 
 Republic under the leadership of Aguinaldo and proceeded to 
 establish a government in accordance with the terms of that 
 constitution. We find, however, this difference : Whereas at 
 that time they had complete freedom of action and could adopt 
 a model which seemed to them most satisfactory, in the reor- 
 ganization of the insular government their action was circum- 
 scribed by the fundamental rules prescribed by the Jones law. 
 
 This law is, in fact, a constitution granted by an alien people 
 for the government of another of different race and with dif- 
 ferent civilization, inhabiting a territory 10,000 miles away. 
 Notwithstanding the difficulties which thus obtained and the 
 restrictions to which they were subjected, the Filipinos faced 
 the task with courage, and reorganized the central government 
 in such a way that it resulted, not in a mere copy of the presi- 
 dential form of goveriynent of the United States but in a 
 system more in harmony with the tendencies and reforms 
 advocated by eminent American authorities on constitutional 
 systems. 
 
 Under the system adopted by the Filipinos, the members of 
 the cabinet are responsible for their official conduct, not only 
 to the Governor General but also to the Philippine Legislature. 
 
 The reorganization act provides that the secretaries of de- 
 partment may be called upon by any of the two houses of the 
 122370— 1T)4S0 
 
11 
 
 legislature concerning any matter affecting their respective 
 departments, and they are legally bound to appear before such 
 houses for the purpose of giving such information as may be 
 required of them whenever the nature of the matter permits 
 it and the Governor General consents thereto. They are also 
 entitled to be heard by either of the two houses of the legis- 
 lature for the purpose of reporting on matters pertaining to 
 their departments. In this manner it was made possible not 
 only to impose upon the members of the executive department 
 a certain degree of responsibility to the popular branch of the 
 government and, indirectly, to the people; but also a greater 
 harmony was thereby established between those two branches of 
 the government. Ih this manner’' also the Governor General, who 
 is an American, and is the person authorized by law to appoint 
 the' members of the cabinet and other higher officers of the gov- 
 ernment, finds it necessary to consult the representative? of the 
 people with regard to the appointments made by him. The con- 
 sent of the senate, therefore, is a real check to any arbitrary 
 act of the executive. 
 
 In order to insure better harmony between the executive and 
 the legislative departments of the government, there has also 
 been created a body known as the council of state, the duties 
 of which are to aid and advise the governor general on public 
 matters. This body is composed of the governor general, the 
 presidents of both houses of the legislature, the members of the 
 cabinet, and such other members as the governor general may 
 appoint. The constitution of the council of state promises to 
 solve the problem of responsible leadership in our government. 
 It may not only avoid violent conflicts which might occur be- 
 tween the executive and the legislative branches of the govern- 
 ment, but it also enables the people to fix the responsibility for 
 the conduct and administration of public affairs. The council 
 of state has also the advantage of permitting the governor gen- 
 eral to look to it for counsel concerning local and interna- 
 tional matters of vital importance to the country. There can 
 be no question as to the usefulness of the council of state, and 
 the role which it plays in matters concerning the government 
 gives to the latter that unity of action which is at once har- 
 monious, effective, and responsible — ah element so necessary 
 and essential to the regular and orderly course of public affairs. 
 
 Among the reforms made' by the legislature after the passage 
 of the Jones law was the adoption of a budget system in the 
 financial operations of the government. The adoption of this 
 system has cured the deficiencies arising out of a lack of a 
 systematic plan in the expenditure of public funds. Under the 
 former system, which was quite analogous to the one still ob- 
 taining in the United States, there was no fixed responsibility 
 for the preparation and submission of appropriation bills. Each 
 bureau of the government prepared its estimates and sent the 
 same to the legislature through the executive secretary. The 
 executive secretary had neither the power of revision nor of 
 coordination, but his task was confined to the compilation of 
 all the estimates, and to the transmission of the same in their 
 original form to the legislature. Under such a system each 
 bureau, without taking into account 'the needs of the other 
 bureaus, merely tried to ask for and obtain the most it could 
 122370—19480 
 
 , A 
 
12 
 
 possibly obtain, and its success or lack of success in this re- 
 spect depended on whether or not it had the sympathy of, or 
 could exercise a greater or less influence on, the members of 
 the legislature. The result of this system was a costly bu- 
 reaucracy and an unnecessary duplication in the work and 
 activities of the government. All of these deficiencies were 
 cured by the introduction of the budget system, and its results 
 have more than justified its adoption. 
 
 The secretary of finance is charged with the duty of prepar- 
 ing the budget after the estimates have been approved by the 
 different secretaries of department. The budget is then sub- 
 mitted to the cabinet for discussion and adoption, and once ap- 
 proved it is ordered printed and then submitted to the legisla- 
 ture for its action. Under this system it is not only possible 
 to know and carry out a systematic plan in the expendituf’b of 
 public funds, but effective and united action on the part of the 
 cabinet is also insured. The expenses of the different depart- 
 ments are coordinated and simplified and a proper distribution 
 of appropriations among them is effected. Through this system 
 the public enjoys the unusual advantage of knowing in whole 
 and in detail the different purposes to which the money which 
 they pay in taxes and imposts is devoted. In practice the sys- 
 tem has resulted in materially reducing the number of appro- 
 priation bills for each year, which, in 191G, when the former 
 system was in vogue, amounted to 37 laws. 
 
 It is generally admitted that the adoption of the budget sys- 
 tem marks a decided improvement over the old system and is 
 considered as one of the greatest achievements of the Filipino 
 people. It has placed the Philippines, to use the words of 
 •Governor General Harrison, “among the foremost progressive 
 nations in fiscal legislation.” 
 
 The speaker of the house of representatives, Hon. Sergio 
 Osmena, has clearly explained the scope and object of the reor- 
 ganization of the insular government in the following terras : 
 
 This legislature, the first organized under the auspices of the new 
 law and inaugurated on October 10, 1916, Is imbued Jointly with the 
 new impulses of liberty and democracy, with the highest sense of 
 order and responsibility. Thus it has respected established institu- 
 tions and retained government practice in so far as compatible with 
 the changes necessary. It has equally shunned the influence of unsafe 
 reforms adopted in a foolhardy manner and the puerile timidity that 
 hinders all constructive work, and the country has assumed the pleni- 
 tude of the powers recognized by law. The examination of the structure 
 of the government authorized by the Jones act has been calm and 
 minute. It has been compared with that of the governments of other 
 countries. Entering without hesitancy upon the vast field of theory 
 and practice of the best governments of the world, the Filipino Nation 
 has had an opportunity to make new use of its old maturity of judg- 
 ment, of its acknowledged self-control, adjusting the flights of its 
 mind anxious of innovations to the constitutional limitations and the 
 real needs of our own life and conditions. 
 
 One of the points brought up concerned the relations of the execu- 
 tive to the legislature. The scope of these relations under the presi- 
 dential regime and of those generally found under the parliamentary 
 system has been investigated. 
 
 Neither of these two systems has been'adbpted definitely; but though 
 recognizing that the organic law retains certain notable features of 
 the presidential regime, the Filipinos have not given uif the idea of 
 improving and perfecting the system implanted by the law referred to. 
 Within the bounds of tfie existing constitutional limitations certain 
 touches have been given to our political institutions which give them a 
 character all their own. 
 
 In the first place, the executive departments have been reorganized. 
 In lieu of the system of indefinite tenure of the departmental officers 
 122370— 194S9 
 
13 
 
 
 / 
 
 formerly in vogue, the theory of periodical changes has been adopted. 
 Every three years the atmosphere of the executive department is to be 
 renewed at the same time when the personnel of the legislature changes 
 in accordance with the results of the last general election. And once 
 the democratic influence of the government is thus assured, the legis- 
 lature throws its doors open to the department secretaries who, in- 
 stead of privately goiDg to the office of the various committees, may 
 if they so prefer demand the right to he heard publicly in the session 
 hall of either house. 
 
 This first step has not been taken without a conscientious considera- 
 tion of the basic principles of the American Government system upon 
 which the United States Congress has modeled ours. Ostensibly the 
 Philippine Legislature, which has approved the departmental rcorgani- 
 •zation law, has started out with the purpose of coordinating and har- 
 monizing the powers of the State, instead of separating and scattering 
 them. 
 
 In speaking of the budget system, lie further says: 
 
 It inaugurates a regime of publicity and places each pow T er of the 
 State within its own sphere of responsibility. It puts the finances 
 of the government on an approved commercial basis and joins the 
 direct examination of the necessities of the country with the authority 
 and duty to disburse the public funds in an economic and efficient 
 manner. It makes the department heads more responsible to the legis- 
 lature and the people. It frustrates any attempt to est.fblish a vicious 
 kind of legislation not demanded by public interest known elsewhere 
 as log-rolling and pork barrel. It maintains the legislature in a sphere 
 of dignity and control, while it stays the hand of an arbitrary chief 
 executive ready to make improper use of the veto power. But what is 
 more important than all this, it preserves fresh and pure the constitu- 
 tional intelligence between the several powers of the State and between 
 tho government and the people ; it prevents the useless expenditure of 
 energy by disagreement and friction, preserves stability, and prepares 
 the organs of the government to be constantly ready for orderly, prompt, 
 and efficient action. 
 
 "thb progress op local governments. 
 
 The municipal and provincial governments, constituting as 
 they do political units of the Philippine Government, furnish 
 positive proofs of the political capacity of the Filipino people, 
 inasmuch as these governments, the success of which is mani- 
 fest, are controlled by Filipinos. From tire beginning it was 
 deemed advisable to place the management of municipal affairs 
 in the hands of officials chosen by the people of the municipali- 
 ties concerfied. The growing notable success of local govern- 
 ments has made imperative the adoption of all measures which 
 safeguard and increase the autonomy exercised by such gov- 
 ernments. Provincial officers, which were originally appointive, 
 were made elective. The provincial board, which constitutes 
 the legislative body of the Province, was formerly composed of 
 an elective provincial governor, an appointive provincial treas- 
 urer, and an elective third member. I?y virtue of act No. 2501 of 
 the Philippine Legislature, approved February 5, 1915, the pro- 
 vincial treasurer ceased to be a member of the provincial hoard, 
 and the Governor Gfeneral was authorized to appoint a new 
 member from among the municipal presidents in the Province. 
 Inasmuch as municipal presidents are elected by popular vote, 
 it is clear that the object of this law was to grant greater 
 autonomy to provincial governments by eliminating from the 
 provincial board the only nonelective member. Act No. 2586 
 of the Philippine Legislature, approved February, 1916, went 
 even further in the extension of popular control over provincial 
 governments by providing that the appointive members of the 
 provincial board shall be elected by popular vote. These liberal 
 reforms have reached not ouly the regularly organized Provinces, 
 122370—19489 
 
14 
 
 but also the few so-called special Provinces. In 1015 the office 
 of the third member of the provincial boards of Mindoro, Pala- 
 wan, and Batanes was made elective, and in 1916 the office of 
 the provincial governor of Mindoro was likewise made elective. 
 This year a law was passed by the Philippine Legislature rffaking 
 elective the office of the provincial governor of Palawan. 
 
 Inasmuch as all of the important offices of the municipal and 
 provincial governments are elective, and the higher and direct 
 supervision of the same is wholly intrusted to Filipino officiate, 
 the orderly and progressive march of such governments consti- 
 tutes a practical demonstration of the capacity and efficiency of 
 the government established by the Filipino people in accordance 
 with the Jones law. 
 
 At the present time all of the provincial governors, who are 
 the chief executives of the Provinces, are Filipinos, except the 
 governors of the Provinces of Cotabato, Lanao, and Sulu, in the 
 department of Mindanao and Sulu. Of the 46 provincial treas- 
 urers, who aj - e the chief" financial officers, 38 are Filipinos, and 
 only 1 is American. There are 30 Filipino district engineers 
 and 13 Americans. In the municipalities, with the exception of 
 16 American ex-officio justices of the peace, the local adminis- 
 tration of justice is entirely intrusted to the Filipinos. The 
 supervision and control over the Provinces and municipalities 
 formerly exercised by the Governor General, through the execu- 
 tive secretary, has now passed to the secretary of the interior, 
 who acts in that respect through the chief of the executive 
 bureau. Both officers are Filipinos. 
 
 In order to promote the free and ample exercise of local 
 , autonomy, the secretary of the interior and the executive bu- 
 reau have adopted the policy of not interfering with the affairs 
 of local governments, except in cases where such intervention is 
 made absolutely necessary. 
 
 Nor has progress been made along political lines alone; but 
 Provinces and municipalities also have improved economically. 
 In 1913 the revenues of the municipalities, towns, and settle- 
 ments amounted to 7,152,541 pesos; in 1917 these revenues went 
 up to 11,401,983 pesos. In 1913 the total expenses of operation 
 of all municipalities, towns, and settlements aggregated 5,869,- 
 454 pesos, while in 1917 the amount totaled 8,696,535 pesos. 
 
 As the result of the great progress attained by the municipali- 
 ties along political and economic lines, there have been con- 
 structed great public improvements, such as roads, provincial 
 and municipal buildings, school buildings, bridges, and so forth. 
 The Provinces and municipalities have also effectively con- 
 tributed to the organization of a system of provincial and muni- 
 cipal sanitation, the construction of wharves, docks, piers, 
 artesian wells, parks, monuments, and so forth. 
 
 PUBLIC LAW AND ORDER. 
 
 The first natural requisite of every well-organized political 
 society is the maintenance of public law and order. Ever since 
 the establishment of the Philippine Assembly the general condi- 
 tion of order and peace throughout the Philippines has con- 
 tinually been improving to the extent that it can now be safely 
 stated that the Philippines is one of those countries of the 
 •world where life and liberty are enjoyed with the greatest 
 122370—19480 
 
15 
 
 order and safety. By temperment the Filipino people are 
 peaceful and abhor tumult and disorder. 
 
 Perfect order and peace prevail throughout the Archipelago, 
 including the Territory of Mindanao and Sulu. The mainte- 
 nance of public order in territories inhabited by Moros has 
 always been a problem of grave concern to many. When for 
 the first time an attempt was made to place a person from civil 
 life at the head of the government of Mindanao and Sulu it 
 was believed that public order would be endangered. No dis- 
 turbance has, however, occurred, and the normal life of the in- 
 habitants was not altered. Moros and Christians came into 
 a more friendly union than ever before and realized better 
 than at any other time the ties which united them as country- 
 men. Thanks to this good understanding, it was possible and 
 easy to withdraw the American troops in, 1917, when the 
 United States found it necessary to take part in the Great War. 
 American soldiers were replaced by Filipino soldiers of the 
 Philippine Constabulary, the latter even less in number, with- 
 out producing the least disorder. 
 
 C&i. Ole Woloe, chief of constabulary of the department of 
 Mindanao and Sulu, in a m'emorandum submitted to the Secre- 
 tary of the Interior under date of November 23, 1918, says, 
 among other things : 
 
 ‘ For the last - four years the nutnber of grave crimes occurring in the 
 Province of Zamboanga have been less than those in the department's 
 most advanced Christian Province for the same period. 
 
 For the years 1908-9, 37 outlaws were reported killed, captured, and 
 wounded ; for 1910-11, 28 ; for 1912-13, 40 ; for 1914. 23 ; for 1915, 1 ; 
 and for 1916-17. none. This great change from a spirit of outlawry and 
 piracy, coming down from the .Spanish regime, to peace and industry 
 was brought about almost entirely by the sympathetic attitude and 
 friendly interest of the department government toward the Moros and 
 Pagan tribes of the Province. Force without limit had heeiA used for 
 300 years, hut apparently w-ith little, if any, permanent results. 
 
 The Moro is no more the blood-thirsty, religious fanatic of a few 
 years ago, but is aiding us to a remarkable degree in maintaining law 
 and -order. In fact, our success in dealing with Moro outlaws has been 
 due almost entirely to the loyal support and aid we have received from 
 the great majority of the inhabitants of the districts affected. The 
 Moro is industrious and a good farmer to the extent of . his agricultural 
 knowledge. He is beginning to see the advantages of education, to 
 have respect for his Christian brother, and he more tolerant in his 
 religious views. He is, however, proud of his history and loyal to his 
 religion, hut commerce and education are rapidly widening his horizon. 
 
 Contrary to the prediction of the calamity howlers, the Christian 
 Filipino officers of the constabulary have succeeded completely in win- 
 ning the respect and confidence of the Moro. 
 
 This testimony of an American officer is an eloquent proof of 
 the success of our policy with regard to the non-Christian tribes,. 
 
 As to the rest of the islands an even more perfect peace pre- 
 vails. When we bear in mind that the world was in a state of 
 war and what an auspicious occasion such a condition offers to 
 agitations of all kinds, the fact that peace and order remained 
 undisturbed in the islands is certainly indicative of the peaceful 
 and loyal spirit of the Filipino people. 
 
 The Filipinos did not only place all their modest energies and 
 resources at the service of America, but with the spirit of a real 
 and active community of ideals and interests they resolutely as- 
 sumed the international responsibilities of that Nation in the 
 Philippines. It may not be out of place to state here that the 
 American flag during all that period of world crisis and commo- 
 tion waived peacefully over the Philippines, not because it was 
 122370—19489 
 
 • 
 
1G 
 
 supported by a military power, for that was withdrawn, but 
 because of the loyal and vigilant attitude of the Filipinos. No 
 longer is any band of outlaws found in any part of the Archi- 
 pelago. Neither is it easy for such a band to organize without 
 being detected by the Philippine constabulary and immediately 
 suppressed. The development of agriculture and commerce will 
 naturally induce every citizen to devote himself to a legitimate 
 occupation, instead of indulging in the dangerous pursuits of 
 outlawry and pillager 
 
 From the experience of these years and the natufally orderly 
 and peaceful temperament of the Filipinos everything points to 
 the belief that the maintenance of public order will be insured 
 in the Philippines and that a change of sovereignty will even 
 more firmly impress on the minds of the Filipino the necessity 
 for such an orderly existence. 
 
 Education. 
 
 From the beginning of American occupation of the islands the 
 question of popular education has commanded special attention. 
 It was not, however, until after the establishment of the Philip- 
 pine Assembly that education received the greatest impulsg and 
 development, for the first law approved by the assembly was one 
 appropriating the sum of PI, 000, 000 for school buildings in the 
 different barrios, while the law authorizing the establishment of 
 the Univei-sity of the Philippines was among the first to be 
 enacted. 
 
 __ The policy of aiding and promoting by all possible means the 
 education of every citizen has been constantly adhered to ever 
 since that time, and now there is hardly a barrio of any im- 
 portance having a sufficient number of school childi'en but has a 
 primary school. Liberal appi-opriations have always been made 
 for the bureau of education and the University of the Philip- 
 pines. 
 
 It l'emained, however, for the present legislature, composed of 
 two elective houses, to finally solve and satisfactorily settle the 
 question of giving primary education to all childi-en of school 
 age, a question which for many years had been pending of solu- 
 tion. On December 8, 191S, a law was passed appropriating the 
 sum of P30,000,000, in addition to the regular annual appropria- 
 tions for the bureau of education, in order that within the peidod 
 of five yeai's the plan of giving free primary education to all 
 citizens of the Philippine Islands of school age could be car- 
 ried out. 
 
 Fi’om 1912 to 1918 the total number of children in the schools 
 Increased from 440,000 to 675,000, an increase of 54 per cent. 
 The number of schools was 3,000 in. 1912 and increased to 4,700 
 in 1918. During the same period the number of pupils in the 
 intei-mediate schools went up to 67,000, an increase of 160 per 
 cent. The number of high-school students came up to 16,000, an 
 increase of 220 per cent. Voluntai’y contributions for the main- 
 tenance of schools and salary of teachers in those municipalities 
 having insufficient funds for the purpose have increased from 
 f*198,000 in 1912 to P468.000 in 1917. 
 
 Such an improvement in the system of popular education, 
 both as to quantity and quality, came hand in hand with the 
 assuiuption of greater responsibilities by the Filipinos. From 
 the beginning the Filipino teachers have had charge of primary 
 122370 — 194S9 
 
 
IT 
 
 education, and they now constitute 98 per cent of the teaching 
 force in the intermediate schools and 44 per cent of the teaching 
 force in the secondary schools. They have also been given access 
 to higher administrative positions. Of the 350 supervising 
 teachers 86 per cent are Filipinos and the majority of the 
 academic and industrial supervisors are also Filipinos. There 
 are six Filipino division superintendents of schools, and both the 
 second assistant director of education and the undersecretary 
 of public instruction are Filipinos. 
 
 The University of the Philippines has kept abreast with the 
 spirit and development of our public system. It was opened in 
 190S with but four colleges, namely, the colleges of agriculture, 
 veterinary science, law, and the school of fine arts. Later the 
 School of Medicine of the Government, which was previously 
 .established, became a part of the university. Then came the 
 establishment of the colleges of liberal arts, engineering, phar- 
 macy, and education. The plan of study followed by the uni- 
 versity is of the most modern and may be favorably compared 
 with that of the best universities of the world. 
 
 The following table of enrollment of students in the university 
 shows clearly the rapid growth of that institution : 
 
 Year : . Number of students. 
 
 1911 - 12 1 , 400 
 
 1912 - 13 1 , 398 
 
 1913 - 14 1 , 503 
 
 1914 - 15 2 , 075 
 
 1915 - 10 2 , 401 
 
 1916 - 17 2 , 975 
 
 1917 - 18 2 , 871 
 
 1918 - 19 3 , 081 
 
 The spirit which has guided the Filipinos in the adoption of 
 all manner of measures for the education of the masses of peo- 
 ple is sufficiently indicative of the fact that the Filipinos fully 
 realize that popular education is the real basis of all democratic 
 governments. They are determined by all means not only to 
 maintain the present school system but also to develop it to the 
 highest possible degree in order that the people may exert the 
 power of an intelligent public opinion in the running of the 
 affairs of their government. 
 
 There are positive proofs to warrant the belief that the ques- 
 tion of popular education will be adequately safeguarded under 
 a Philippine independent government. The people themselves 
 are clamoring for education and .there is no need of compulsory 
 education laws, with the possible exception in the case of primi- 
 tive communities of non-Christian tribes. The University of 
 tiie Philippines has already trained a nucleus of sufficient num- 
 ber of young men in the different branches of learning, many 
 of whom are now holding responsible positions in public admin- 
 istration. 
 
 In this connection it may not be amiss to advert to the policy 
 adopted by the government several years ago, and ever since 
 followed, of sending young men, graduates of the University of 
 the Philippines and other educational institutions in the islands, 
 to the different centers of learning in America, Europe, and other 
 foreign countries, for the purpose of furthering their studies and 
 thereafter serve the government for the same number of years 
 in which they have enjoyed government scholarship. This policy 
 has been recently extended to those employees of government 
 122370 — 19489 2 
 
18 
 
 offices who have demonstrated unusual talent and efficiency in 
 the performance of their official duties, thus enabling them to 
 make a special study in connection with their respective wo»k. 
 
 It is thus seen that the Government has spared neither efforts 
 nor money in the preparation of a competent personnel to take 
 the place of the American experts who are leaving the public 
 service. It is hoped that in this way it will be possible not 
 only to maintain but to lift up, if possible, the high standards 
 of public service in the country. 
 
 SANITATION. 
 
 The sanitation of the islands has been greatly improved. In 
 1914 the Philippine Legislature reorganized the health service 
 in order to insure greater efficiency and the cooperation of the 
 Provinces and municipalities in matters of public healths 
 
 Under the ol<J system the salaries of municipal health officers 
 were paid by the 'municipalities, and only those which could 
 afford to pay obtained the services of physicians. Such as 
 could not afford to pay employed sanitary inspectors, who fre- 
 quently did not have medical knowledge. Thus many towns 
 were without the services of a qualified physician. Again, 
 under that system there were no differences of rank in the 
 service and health officers remained in the service without any 
 chance of promotion. There was no law compelling the munici- 
 palities to devote a part of their funds to sanitation. For 
 these reasons it was deemed ilbcessary to reorganize the old 
 bureau of health and convert it into the Philippine Health 
 Service. 
 
 This service is somewhat similar to the Public Health Service 
 of the United States, in that a physician must pass an exami- 
 nation before being appointed to the service, and after a certain 
 number of years he is given another examination for the pur- 
 pose of promotion. The positions in the service are graded. A 
 physician who starts as assistant surgeon is promoted, first, to 
 the grade of junior surgeon, then to that of senior surgeon, 
 medical inspector, and chief of division. The work of the 
 central office is distributed among the director of the health 
 service and the chiefs of divisions. There is an assistant di- 
 rector, who is at the same time a chief of division. There arc 
 three divisions — one for the provincial service, another for the 
 hospital service, and still another for the health service of the 
 city of Manila. 
 
 In order that each and every municipality may have the bene- 
 fit of the services of a physician, the different Provinces com- 
 bine two or more small municipalities and place them under 
 the care of a municipal physician. These groups of municipali- 
 ties are called sanitary districts. The municipal physician is 
 required to distribute his time among the different towns in 
 making inspection and receiving consultations; but even with 
 such an arrangement some of the most remote places in the 
 Mountain and Moro Provinces could not have obtained the 
 service of a physician if, in order to supply this deficiency, dis- 
 pensaries were not opened under the care of competent persons, 
 where the public may obtain medicine and receive medical treat- 
 ment. At the present time even the most remote places have 
 health facilities which they could not obtain 10 years ago. 
 
 122370—19489 
 
19 
 
 Manila may be said to be the most sanitary city in the Far 
 East and will bear comparison with many of the cities of the 
 United States and Europe. The streets have been widened 
 and improved and the majority of them have asphalt pavement. 
 The danger of smallpox, the terror of oriental countries, which 
 previously has been menacing the islands with regular fre- 
 quency, has been reduced to an insignificant degree. Since 1902 
 no cholera epidemic has attained any serious proportion. Ma- 
 laria is now unknown in Manila. Many of the swamp districts 
 have been filled up. 
 
 Quite a number of municipalities have followed the example 
 of Manila, and there are now at least 10 cities which have 
 modern water systems. In those towns where the construction 
 of reservoirs has been found impracticable artesian wells were 
 drilled in order to supply the public with pure water. 
 
 Charitable activities, such as the organization of antituber- 
 culosis societies and societies for the protection ' of children, 
 have acquired new vigor during the last few years. There is 
 now in the islands the public welfare board, subsidized by the 
 Government, the duty of which is to coordinate the work of 
 charitable institutions and to contribute to their funds for the 
 accomplishment of their purposes. The sum of PI, 000, 000 
 has been appropriated in order to help the municipalities in 
 the establishment of associations for the protection of children. 
 
 The Culion leper colony has been maintained and liberally 
 supplied with funds. The opposition on the part of those who suf- 
 fer from the disease and their families to the confinement of the 
 former to the colony has disappeared, and now many a diseased 
 person voluntarily presents himself to be taken to the colony. 
 
 The quarantine service has also been maintained not only 
 with efficiency, but has been supplied with modern equipments. 
 
 Hospital service has undergone great improvement. The 
 Philippine General Hospital at Manila is one of the best hospitals 
 in the Orient. The Filipinization of its personnel was effected 
 without impairing its efficiency. Schools for nurses of both 
 sexes are maintained both in this hospital and in that of Cebu, 
 which has been recently opened. 
 
 It would not be too much to say that the sanitation of the 
 Philippines will be as well taken care of by the Filipinos as 
 formerly, and the Filipino health officers, possessing as they do a 
 better knowledge of the peculiar habits and needs of their own 
 people, will be able to perform their duties both with efficiency 
 and credit, not only to themselves but also to those who have 
 helped them in preparing for greater responsibilities. 
 
 ECONOMIC PROGRESS. 
 
 The passage of the Jones law has given rise to the belief on the 
 part of some people that the material progress of the islands 
 would suffer a setback. Facts have shown just the contrary. 
 The declaration of the purpose of the United States to grant 
 the Philippines its independence as soon as a stable govern- 
 ment shall have been organized therein, and the practically 
 complete control of public affairs given to the Filipinos have 
 not only not caused any economic crisis but have gone far 
 toward placing the economic life of the country on stronger 
 foundations. The last five years have witnessed the greatest 
 122370— 194S9 
 
20 
 
 prosperity and the highest economic development the islands 
 ever had. Of the total foreign trade in the Philippines in 1918, 
 which amounted to 1*468,563,496, as against ¥*215,391,484 In 
 1913, 63.4 per cent was with the United States, as against 
 42.65 per cent in 1913. This fact goes to show that the estab- 
 lishment of an autonomous Philippine government preparatory 
 to independence has served to strengthen the commercial bonds 
 between the United States and the Philippines. Mutual confi- 
 dence and understanding has brought about greater economic 
 relations, just as in tlie past distrust and misunderstanding 
 has had the tendency of disturbing these relations. 
 
 Another theory which has been exploded is that economic 
 independence should come before political independence and 
 that, therefore, the people should not ask for political freedom 
 before securing their economic independence. Our experience 
 during the last five years has demonstrated the contrary ; that 
 is to say, that no country can expect to prosper in a material 
 way before having in its hands the political agencies and instru- 
 mentalities essential thereto; in short, the most effective in- 
 strumentality for economic progress is political autonomy. 
 Before the establishment of Philippine autonomy Filipino mer- 
 chants and manufacturers could not compete with foreigners 
 for lack of credit and banking facilities, which were controlled 
 by the latter. But tlie organization of an autonomous Philip- 
 pine Government has paved the way for a phenomenal develop- 
 ment of the commercial activities of the people. The Govern- 
 pient created the Philippine National Bank, whose resources 
 amounted only to ¥*20,000,000 in 1916, which increased to more 
 than ¥*230,000,000 in 1918. This success has probably very few 
 precedents in the world’s history of banking. 
 
 The total foreign trade of the islands in 1913 was 5*215,- 
 391.4S4, with a balance against the islands of ¥*11,000,000, while 
 last year, 1918, our foreign trade amounted to ¥*468, 563, 494, 
 with a balance in our favor of ¥*74,196,64S, which means an 
 increase of ¥*253,172,010, or 129 per cent, in 1918 over 1913. 
 
 Our money circulation has increased also, for in 1913 we had 
 ¥*50,697,282, or ¥*5.52 per capita, while at present we have in 
 circulation ¥*132,602,968, or ¥*13.68 per capita. 
 
 Taxation in the Philippines was ¥*4.28 per capita in 1913, 
 compared with ¥*5.36 per capita in 1917. 
 
 Another eloquent proof of the remarkable development of the 
 islands is the fact that during the last few years 3,065 domestic 
 corporations and firms were organized, with a capital of ¥*452;- 
 192,197, to say nothing of 95 large firms, American and foreign, 
 of world-wide reputation and with enormous capital, which have 
 their branches in the Philippines. 
 
 rUBLIC WORKS AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 Our economic prosperity thus far obtained is undoubtedly 
 due in large measure to the policy steadily pursued by the Gov- 
 ernment of devoting every year considerable sums of money to 
 the promotion and extension of public works and permanent 
 improvements. Roads have therefore been built everywhere, 
 thus putting in communication with the outside world plfides 
 hitherto inaccessible, and through an excellent system of main- 
 tenance we have been able to prevent the destruction of these 
 122370—19489 
 
21 
 
 roads and get tlie greatest benefit possible from the money 
 invested. Shipping has been likewise fostered with the con- 
 struction of piers and wharves, the dredging of rivers, and the 
 making of other improvements in many ports. The lighthouse 
 system has been improved, and the work of coast survey con- 
 tinued. The mileage of nur railroads has been increased, post 
 and telegraph offices have been opened in many municipalities, 
 public markets — substantial as well as hygienic — have been 
 built, waterworks systems have been installed ; in brief, a broad 
 policy of public works and permanent improvements in all the 
 Provinces has been worked out, yielding the quickest and most 
 beneficial results. The following figures show the progress of 
 
 road building jn the islands: 
 
 Roads in existence from 1903 to 1913. 
 
 Year. 
 
 First- 
 
 crass 
 
 road. 
 
 Second- 
 
 "class 
 
 read. 
 
 Third- 
 
 class 
 
 road. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Total expend- 
 iture for roads. 
 
 1903 
 
 Km. 
 
 397.0 
 
 Km. 
 
 (') 
 
 Km. 
 
 Km. 
 
 397.0 
 
 (') 
 
 1909 
 
 553. 5 
 
 (>) 
 
 b) 
 
 553.5 
 
 (>) 
 
 1910 
 
 1, 230. 2 
 
 1,031.3 
 
 3,337.6 
 
 5,599.1 
 
 0) 
 
 1911 
 
 1, 587. 6 
 
 1,068.9 
 
 2,956.8 
 
 5,613.3 
 
 To, 671, 436. 53 
 
 1912 
 
 1, 839. G 
 
 2, 159. 9 
 
 3,216.8 
 
 7,216.3 
 
 5,951,858.67 
 
 1913 
 
 2,097.3 
 
 2,034.6 
 
 3,118.1 
 
 7, 250. 0 
 
 6,949,593.39 
 
 1913 2 
 
 2, 233. 8 
 
 2, 024. 6 
 
 3, 138. 7 
 
 7, 397. 1 
 
 3,683,435.09 
 
 1914 
 
 2, 564. 0 
 
 2,024.3 
 
 2, 875. 7 
 
 7, 464. 0 
 
 7,201,190.79 
 
 1915 
 
 3,067.7 
 
 2, 032. 2 
 
 3,051.7 
 
 8, 201. 6 
 
 7,699,097.83 
 
 1916 
 
 3, 439. 6 
 
 2, 045. 8 
 
 3, 440. 7 
 
 8,923.1 
 
 8,035, 141. 05 
 8, 852, 350. 05 
 
 1917 
 
 3, 73S. 7 
 
 2,056.6 
 
 3,348.4 
 
 9,188.9 
 
 1918 8 
 
 3,936.0 
 
 2,019.9 
 
 3, 294. 8 
 
 9,250.7 
 
 5,744,839.52 
 
 i Data not available. 2 July 1 to Dec. 31, 1913. 8 Jan. 1 to June 30 only. 
 
 INCOME AND EXPENSES. 
 
 The following figures show the progress made in the finances 
 of the government during the last three years : 
 
 Financial condition of the insular government during the last three 
 
 years. 
 
 Items of revenue and 
 expenditure. 
 
 1915 
 
 ~N 
 
 1918 
 
 1917 
 
 Increase or 
 deeroase 
 1916-17. 
 
 Source of revenue: 
 Eevenue from taxa- 
 tion 
 
 P25,769,492. 78 
 
 P27, 957, 308. 95 
 
 P35, 448, 412. 30 
 
 P7, 491, 103. 35 
 
 Incidental revenue. . 
 
 1,191,204.53 
 
 1,664,392.05 
 
 2,296,270.32 
 
 631,878.27 
 
 Eevenue from com- 
 mercial and indus- 
 trial units 
 
 8,479,212.96 
 
 9,326,810. 77 
 
 / 
 
 11,832,921. 62 
 
 2, 506, 110. 85 
 
 Other income of op- 
 erating units 
 
 80,720. 73 
 
 175,262.89 
 
 52,626.02 
 
 132,633.87 
 
 Dividends on bank 
 
 157, 52G. 05 
 
 314,786.78 
 
 157,269.73 
 
 Income from United 
 
 
 States Army 
 , .Transport Service. 
 Other revenues 
 
 
 125,315.10 
 
 337, 470. 62 
 
 212, 155. 52 
 
 3,927,5S9.70 
 
 6,298,239.83 
 
 4,498,753.78 
 
 1, 739,483. 10 
 
 Total revenue. . . 
 
 39,448,220.70 
 
 45,704,855.69 
 
 54,781,211.44 
 
 9,076,385.75 
 
 122370—19489 
 
22 
 
 Financial condition of the insular government, etc. — Continued. 
 
 Items of revenue and 
 expenditure. 
 
 1915 
 
 1916 
 
 1917 
 
 Increase or 
 decrease 
 1916-17. 
 
 Expenditures: 
 
 General administra- 
 tion 
 
 Expenditures of op- 
 eration of indus- 
 trial and commer- 
 cial units, etc 
 
 Interest on public 
 
 debt 
 
 Sinking funds 
 
 Repayment of loans. 
 
 Gratuities 
 
 Outlays and invest- 
 ments 
 
 Other expenditures.. 
 
 Jotal expenditures 
 
 Current surplus for the 
 year 
 
 Current surplus at the 
 beginning of the year. 
 
 Current surplus at the 
 end of the year 
 
 y-26, 558,476. 16 
 
 P25,3S4,849.41 
 
 1-29, 437, 890. 53 
 
 £”4,053,011. 12 
 
 7,182,996.20 
 
 972,193.75 
 
 9S2.7S6.63 
 
 7,623,904. 40 
 
 2,065,496.60 
 
 335,251.25 
 
 1,000,117. 
 6S6, 873. 
 22,500. 
 99,476. 
 
 6,042,123. 
 
 46,969. 
 
 9, 063, 829. 24 
 
 1,289,822. 62 
 8550)39. 49 
 22,500.00 
 584,353.28 
 
 3,992,291.45 
 162, 391. 13 
 
 1,439,924. 81 
 
 289,705.32 
 
 168,766.35 
 
 ' 484, 876. 98 
 
 2, 00, 832. 6S 
 115,422.08 
 
 P'38, 097, 200. 59 
 
 P'40,906,813.13 
 
 P'45,408,717.74 
 
 P'1,351,020.11 
 
 8,883,696.66 
 
 f”4, 798,042. 
 10,234,116. 
 
 P'9,372,523.70 
 
 15,032,159.33 
 
 P'4,501,904.01 
 
 P'4,574,481. 14 
 4,798,042.56 
 
 P10,234,116. 77 
 
 P-15,032,159.33 
 
 P24, 404, 683.03 
 
 P9, 372, 523. 70 
 
 Note. — F igures in italics indicate decreases. 
 
 THE NONCHRISTIAN TRIBES. 
 
 Before President Wilson decided in 1913 to appoint a Filipino 
 majority to the Philippine Commission, the control over the so- 
 called non-Cliristian tribes was entirely in the hands of Amer- 
 icans. It was not until that year that the Filipinos assumed the 
 responsibility for these tribes. Both the Philippine Commission 
 with Filipino majority and the Philippine Legslature have ex- 
 pressed in unequivocal terms, through legislative acts, a liberal 
 and altruistic policy looking to the welfare and betterment of 
 these primitive people. 
 
 The act organizing the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, in 
 1914, was passed with the object of carrying out this policy, 
 add of furnishing said territory with a central organization 
 and with officials who could more directly look after the welfare 
 of the inhabitants. Later the legislature established the bureau 
 of non-Christian tribes, provided for in section 22 of the Jones 
 law, and set forth the duties of the same in the following words : 
 
 To foster through nil adequate means and in a systematic, rapid, 
 and thorough manner the material, moral, economic, social, and political 
 development of the regions inhabited by non-Christian Filipinos, always 
 having in view the permanent mutual understanding and complete 
 fusion of the Christian and non-Christian elements living in the Prov- 
 inces of the archipelago. 
 
 To insure the success of this policy the organization and 
 extension of public schools in all the non-Christian territory has 
 been the object of special care. Since 1903 primary schools in 
 Mindanao and Sulu, where the Arabic and English languages 
 ■Wre taught, have been organized. However, in view of 
 novelty of the plan and the distrust on the part of the Moros 
 and other non-Christians, the- success of the public schools was 
 very little. Toward the end of the school year 1914 the at- 
 
 122370—19489 
 
23 
 
 tendance of these schools was 4,535. During the last five years, 
 when the Filipinos shaped the legislative policy toward the 
 Moros, progress in education has been tremendous. The follow- 
 ing figures show the average daily attendance and the expenses 
 incurred from 1912 to the present time : 
 
 Fiscal year. 
 
 Average daily 
 attendance. 
 
 Expenses. 
 
 1912 
 
 3,807 
 
 F93.987 
 
 137,069 
 
 650,000 
 
 1913 2 
 
 4; 535 
 16, 114 
 
 
 
 A clearer idea of the progress of education amongst the non- 
 Christians will be given by the following data : The number of 
 teachers in the Mountain Province in 1912 was 93 ; to-day there 
 are 251. In 1912 there were 64 teachers in the Province of 
 Nueva Viseaya ; at present there are 67. In the whole Depart- 
 ment of Mindanao and Sulu there were only 99 teachers in 1912, 
 whereas to-day there are 783. The splendid spirit demonstrated 
 by these teachers by leaving their homes to go out to the non- 
 Christian provinces is going to be a strong factor for the unifi- 
 cation and naturalization of the different elements of the country. 
 
 Side by side with the extension of public schools the public 
 health service has also progressed. In 1914 the school and 
 health authorities in charge of the Department of Mindanao 
 and Sulu established a combined plan of schools and public dis- 
 pensaries, of which 17 are already in operation at central points. 
 Approximately 30,000 patients receive treatment in these dis- 
 pensaries every year. Besides these school dispensaries, there 
 are 9 special ones under the control of the health service. 
 
 No less important than the health work is the extension of 
 public works to all the regions inhabited by the non-Christians. 
 Special attention has been devoted to the construction and main- 
 tenance of roads, the improvement of ports and landings, the 
 extension and maintenance of telephone lines, waterworks, and 
 the construction of public buildings, especially schools and hos- 
 pitals. 
 
 But this is not all that has been done. The non-Christians 
 are also taught how to get the best results from the natural 
 resources of their soil. Every year a considerable number of 
 graduates from the College of Agriculture are sent to the non- 
 Christian provinces, to the end that they may teach the inhabit- 
 ants the modern methods of cultivation. Interisland migration 
 has been fostered by the government’s help to those who estab- 
 lish themselves on. Mindanao and Sulu lands for the purpose 
 of cultivating them and of living with their non-Christian 
 brothers. In 1917 the Philippine Legislature appropriated the 
 sum of PTOO.OOO for this purpose, which amount was increased 
 to, 1*250,000 last year. 
 
 By virtue of the Jones law the non-Christian tribes were for 
 the first time granted representation in the national legislature. 
 Three prominent and representative Moros and two pagans have 
 been appointed members of the senate and of the house of repre- 
 sentatives. The Moro senator and representatives have been given 
 the special privilege of taking the oath of office in accordance 
 122370— 194S9 — 
 
24 
 
 with the rites prescribed by the Koran. This step was looked 
 upon by the Mohammedans as a proof of religious tolerance and 
 respect for Mohammedan beliefs on the part of the Christian 
 Filipinos. 
 
 At the time of the inauguration of the Philippine Legislature 
 important memorials were presented expressing the feelings of 
 confidence and affection of the Moros toward tlieir Christian 
 brothers. These memorials were sent to both houses of the 
 legislature and were signed by the Sultan of Sulu and by the 
 most influential datos of the different provinces of the depart- 
 ment. In them they express their gratitude for the material 
 benefits received and the political privileges granted them dur- 
 ing the last three years, an$ also for the liberal appropriations 
 for public works, health service, and schools, and for the rep- 
 resentation allowed them in the Philippine Legislature in ac- 
 cordance with the new organic law of the Philippine Islands. 
 In these memorials the hope' is also expressed that the adminis- 
 tration will continue making closer the present relations among 
 the inhabitants of the Philippines. Most of the data referred 
 to has been taken from a recent official report submitted by 
 Gov. Frank W. Carpenter, of the Department of Mindanao and 
 Sulu, who is at the same time chief of thg bureau of non-Chris- 
 tian tribes. 
 
 THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 
 
 It can be asserted without dispute that the English language 
 serves at the present time as a common medium of communi- 
 cation among the islanders who still speak their own dialects. 
 The progress of the English language has been the result of the 
 splendid work done by the public schools, and to-day English is 
 the language most widely spoken in the whole Archipelago. 
 Business between the central government and most of the Prov- 
 inces and municipalities is transacted in English. True, the 
 proceedings of the Philippine Legislature are still in Spanish, 
 but the acts are translated into English. The English language 
 prevails in the commercial transactions of the islands. 
 
 We will not have to wait very long before the English lan- , 
 guage is the official language even in the courts, and the lan- 
 guage most generally used in private life. The present leaders 
 of the people have a working knowledge of the language and 
 many of them read and write it fairly, if they do not speak it, 
 with few difficulties in their official conversations. The younger 
 generation has a thorough knowledge of the language and speaks 
 and writes it in most cases. 
 
 The spread of this language as- the common language of the 
 inhabitants of the Archipelago is assured, not only because it is 
 the basis of instruction in the public schools, but also because 
 it is essential to the best interests and the future of the people. 
 Once the plan is carried out of giving primary, instruction to 
 every child of school age there is no doubt that the generations 
 to come will speak English, which will certainly obtain a firm 
 foothold among the people. 
 
 It is not only the public schools that teach English; the pri- 
 vate schools do so likewise. The law r requires the Department 
 of Public Instruction to grant licenses for private schools and 
 to exercise supervision over private schools and colleges of all 
 kinds, with the power to approve their courses of study and to 
 122370— 194S9 
 
25 
 
 revoke their licenses if the conditions established by the Govern- 
 ment are not fulfilled. For a long time now these colleges and 
 schools have been ordered to make English one of the required 
 subjects, and their instruction has steadily improved. 
 
 It Is inconceivable that the Filipino people, when they shall 
 have become independent, would take any step other, than that 
 of continuing this policy. It would be unreasonable to undo 
 what has been done without mentioning the great expense 
 which such change of policy would involve. We therefore 
 venture to assert that the predominance of English is assured. 
 
 REQUISITES FOR A STABLE GOVERNMENT. 
 
 The phrase “stable government” has a definite meaning in 
 the foreign relations of the United States, especially in connec- 
 , tion with its dealings with the weak countries that have fought 
 for their independence. This is not the first time that the 
 American Government has made use of this phrase as regards 
 the recognization of new States. 
 
 The conditions required by the United States before granting 
 such recognition are merely conditions of fact ; that is to say, 
 where a government de facto is established and whether such 
 government has conditions of stobility. In 1875 there was 
 considerable agitation in the United States for the recognition 
 of Cuban independence, and President Grant in his message 
 to Congress expressed the idea that recognition would not be 
 possible until the Cuban people could establish a government 
 possessing elements of stability. Quoting his words : 
 
 Where n considerable body of people, who have attempted to free 
 themselves of the control of the superior government, have reached 
 such point in occupation of territory, th power, and in general or- 
 ganization as to constitute in face a body politic, having a govern- 
 ment in substance as well as in name, possessed of the elements of 
 stability, and equipped with the machinery for the administration of 
 interna] policy and the execution of its laws, prepared and able to 
 administer justice at home, as well as in its dealing with other pow- 
 ers, it is within the province of those other powers to recognize its 
 existence as a new and independent nation. 
 
 Dwelling further on what he thought a stable government 
 was, he *u id : 
 
 To establish the condition of things essential to the recognition of 
 this fact, there must be a people occupying a known territory, united 
 under some known and defined form of government, 'acknowledged 
 by those subject thereto, in which the functions of government are 
 administered by usual methods, competent to mete out justice to 
 citizens and strangers, to afford remedies for public and private 
 wrongs, and able to assume the correlative international obligations 
 and capable of performing the corresponding international duties re- 
 sailting from its acquisition of the rights cf sovereignty. 
 
 President McKinley, in discussing the recognition of the in- 
 dependence of Cuba, quoted the words of President Grant, 
 saying : 
 
 The United States, in addition to the test imposed by public law 
 as the condition of the recognition of independence by a neutral State 
 (to wit, that the revolted State shall “constitute in fact a body 
 politic, having a government in substance as well as in name, pos- 
 sessed of ail the elements of stability,” and forming de facto, “ If 
 left to itself, a State among the .nations, reasonably capable of dis- 
 charging the duties of a State”), has imposed for its own government 
 in dealing with cases like these the further condition that recognition 
 of independent statehood is not due to a revolted dependency until 
 the danger of its being again subjugated by the parent State has en- 
 tirely passed away. 
 
 As a result of the war, Spain had to withdraw her sov- 
 ereignty from Cuba. The American Government temporarily 
 12*2370 — 19489 
 
 / 
 
26 
 
 occupied the islandfe and proceeded to organize a stable gov- 
 ernment. The first measure was the taking of a census which 
 would show the degree of political capacity of the people. In 
 this way it, was found that 6G per cent of the inhabitants of 
 the island could neither read nor write — a percentage greater 
 than in the Philippines, where illiteracy is 30 per cent — and 
 limited suffrage was established, based more or less on the 
 same conditions now required in the Philippines. After the 
 census the military governor, Gen. Wood, promulgated a law 
 which provided for the holding of provincial and municipal 
 elections. Thereafter the same voters who took part in these 
 elections were qualified to choose the members of the constitu- 
 tional convention which drafted the constitution of Cuba. The 
 military governor inaugurated the convention, and . by order 
 of the Secretary of War said, among other things : 
 
 It will be your duty, first, to frame and adopt a constitution of 
 Cuba • * * adequate to secure a stable, orderly,' and free gov- 
 
 ernment. 
 
 The constitution adopted by the Cuban people was not en- 
 tirely satisfactory to Secretary Root, but being the result of 
 conscientious deliberations by the representatives of the peo- 
 ple of Cuba, it was accepted." On December 31, 1901, the peo- 
 ple of Cuba chose their provincial governors, their councilors, 
 «nd members of the house of representatives, and the presi- 
 dential and senatorial electors. These last met on February 
 24, 1902, in order to choose the president, vice president, and 
 senators. After the election of these officials the American 
 Government made ready to transfer to their hands the reins 
 of government. The condition of stability had been fulfilled, 
 and on May 20, 1902, the military governor, on behalf of the 
 President of the United States, read the memorable document 
 which transferred to “ the duly elected representatives of the 
 people of Cuba the government and control of the islands,” 
 and declared “ the occupation of Cuba by the United States 
 and the military government of the islands ” to be ended. 
 
 A “ stable government ” has, therefore, been construed to 
 mean, in the case of Cuba, a government duly chosen by the 
 people. This was the clear interpretation adopted by the Ameri- 
 can Government. 
 
 It is evident that this is the same interpretation given to the 
 phrase “ stable government ” as used in the preamble of the 
 Jones law. 
 
 That the Filipinos now have a government of this sort, a gov- 
 ernment constituted by the people, able to preserve order and to 
 comply with its international obligations, can not be denied by 
 any fair-minded man who knows the conditions of the country. 
 Our present government is a government based on the peaceful 
 suffrage of the people, representing the whole country, deriving 
 their powers from the people and subject to the limitations and 
 safeguards which the experience of constitutional government 
 has shown to be essential to the maintenance and protection 
 of individual rights. 
 
 Our central, provincial, and municipal governments rest upon 
 the peaceful suffrage of the Filipino people. The insular govern- 
 ment has at its disposal a complete governmental machinery 
 recognized and supported by the people. The guiding part of this 
 machinery is already in the hands of the Filipinos. There is 
 122370—13480 
 
27 
 
 a Philippine Legislature whose members are elected by the quali- 
 fied voters of the islands, which legislative body is invested with 
 general legisative powers within the limitations laid down by 
 the Jones law. In said legislature the non-Christian element is • 
 represented by nine members appointed by the Governor Gen- 
 eral. We have also a judicial system based upon the American 
 principle of independence of the judicial department. Our 
 laws and our courts are of the modern type, like those of the 
 most progressive nations of the west. Our codes are based on 
 Spanish and American jurisprudence, taking from the Spanish 
 substantive laws, their conciseness, symmetry, and philosophy, 
 and from the American laws of procedure their facility, com- 
 mon sense, and efficiency. The limitations and safeguards for 
 the protection of individual rights are thoroughly ingrained In 
 the political life of the Filipino people and no political change 
 that might take place would in any way impair them. 
 
 We have, therefore, a stable government in the Philippines 
 which fulfills all the conditions required by the United States 
 in other cases of recognition of new States, especially in tHe 
 case of Cuba, and this government is now in operation and is 
 practically controlled and directed by the Filipinos themselves. 
 If the Governor and Vice Governor General of the Philippine 
 Islands were to be suddenly withdrawn from the archipelago 
 and in their place Filipinos were appointed, no port of the gov- 
 ernmental machinery would suffer thereby and every piece 
 thereof would move as regularly and as orderly as at present. 
 
 The testimony of the representatives of the American Govern- 
 ment in the islands during all the time that the Philippine 
 Government was in the hands of the Filipinos bears out the 
 assertion which we made in regard to the conditions of stability 
 of the Philippine Government. 
 
 Says Governor Harrison : 
 
 There are about 1,000 municipalities in the Philippines, all of which 
 are governed by elective 'Filipino officials. There are about 42 
 Provinces in the islands likewise governed by Filipinos. There are 
 two elective houses of the legislature composed entirely of Filipinos. 
 Out of seven members in the cabinet six are Filipinos, and most of 
 the heads of the executive departments of the government are Fili- 
 pinos to-day. It is true that there are still some 700 Americans in 
 the Philippines, but for the most part they are teachers, professors, 
 and scientists, and to my mind a class of men who would be desired 
 by the Filipinos even if they had complete independence. 
 
 That presents a picture of practical autonomy. It has been going 
 on for the last two and a half years, or ever since the recent charter 
 has been givs^ us by Congress, and in my opinion, during those two 
 and a half years the Filipinos, having been given an opportunity, have 
 satisfactorily demonstrated the fact that they have already established 
 and are maintaining the stable form of government which is prescribed 
 in the preamble to the Jones bill as a prerequisite to their independ- 
 ence. 
 
 On another occasion he said : 
 
 By temperament, by experience, by financial ability, in every way the 
 10,000,000 Filipinos are entitled to be free from every government. 
 
 Vice Gov. Charles E. Yeater, in an official telegram to the 
 Secretary of War, reports: 
 
 The capacity for initiative and the constructive spirit evidenced by 
 the legislature, the first organized under the Jones law, is worthy of 
 great commendation. Its capacity to investigate government problems 
 and to act expeditiously but with due caution is certainly unprecedented 
 in history, considering that for three centuries this people had prac- 
 tically no political rights and were debarred from the benefits of edu- 
 cation. American legislative practice' and procedure has always been 
 122370 — 194S9 
 
23 
 
 examined, and with few exceptions followed. As indicative, however, 
 of their independent frame of mind it may be noted that a single 
 legislative committee has had charge of both appropriations and ways 
 and means since 1907, and under the provisions of the .Tones law lias 
 adopted substantially the basic principles of the English budget system 
 instead of maintaining a rigorous application of the theory of the 
 separation of governmental powers as far as the legislative and execu- 
 tive departments are concerned, the latter directed by an American. 
 This legislature has given to the secretaries of the various departments 
 the right to appear before either house to defend publicly the measures 
 proposed by the executive or to oppose measures originated in such 
 houses. Finally, as one of the representatives in these islands of the 
 United States Government, I wish to attest the patriotism of the 
 Filipinos and their loyal attachment to the United States Government. 
 This legislature which has just terminated its sessions has acted with 
 judgment and prudence and in what it has done and left undone dur- 
 ing its term now' drawing to a close, and should be credited for the 
 wisdom with which it has guided and directed the Filipino people in 
 the paths of order and tranquility during these recent years of almost 
 universal turmoil and unrest. Perfect peace has prevailed here and 
 all provincial and municipal government instrumentalities of force have 
 had no function to perform. 
 
 In regard to honesty and efficiency, the Philippine govern- 
 ment can be favorably compared to the best in the world. No 
 charge of bribery has been piade against any high official. 
 Cases of misappropriation of public funds have been excep- 
 tionally few, and only subordinate officials were involved. The 
 offending parties have been discharged from the service, and 
 whenever sufficient evidence for conviction was available they 
 were prosecuted. 
 
 Efficiency in the civil service has been maintained at a high 
 standard. Appointments of chiefs and assistant chiefs of divi- 
 sion have been based strictly on merit and not political consid- 
 erations. In most cases men who had served for a long time 
 have been promoted to these positions with a view to the effi- 
 ciency of the service. 
 
 Every citizen has enjoyed civil and political rights without 
 hindrance and amid public peace and safety. Religious toler- 
 ance has grown to such an extent that all Christian denomina- 
 tions are working in perfect harmony ; Mohammedans and 
 Christians in Mindanao and Sulu respect each other’s religious 
 practices.' Moral campaigns have been carried on at all times, 
 with appreciable results in the uplift of the people. 
 
 The progress made along material and economic lines in re- 
 cent years shows the entire confidence of all the residents of 
 the Philippines in the orderly and stable conditions of the 
 country. 
 
 III. 
 
 NATIONAL SENTIMENT HAS INVARIABLY BEEN FOB 
 COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 It would seem to be entirely unnecessary to discuss the ques- 
 tion of whether or not the Filipinos desire to be independent at 
 this time, but some doubt being entertained by a number of 
 American citizens as to whether the Filipinos, after being given 
 the opportunity to manage their domestic affairs, would not 
 prefer, for their best interest, to continue certain relations of 
 political dependence with the United States, we have decided 
 to devote this chapter to a treatment of the present aspirations 
 of the people in relation to the independence problem. 
 
 If the historical events in the Philippines in 1896 and 1S98 
 are studied, it will be seen that the longing for independence 
 122370 — 19489 
 
 ■* 
 
was the most powerful sentiment behind the revolution against 
 Spain the latter year. With the breaking out of hostilities be- 
 tween the United States and Spain the Filipinos saw their 
 chance to destroy Spanish dominion and to declare their inde- 
 pendence. They turned a deaf ear to the alluring promises 
 made by the Spanish authorities, and, with the moral and ma- 
 terial support of the Americans, they — the Filipinos — were for- 
 tunately able to defeat the Spanish forces and to seize prac- 
 tically all of the territory of the islands. Then the Filipinos 
 organized a government under Aguinaldo, whose authority 
 spread throughout the islands and received the approbation and 
 consent of the people. 
 
 This aspiration for independence was the thing that moved 
 the Filipinos to go through the sufferings and sacrifices of an- 
 other war against the Americans in 1899, in spite of the fact 
 that they knew beforehand the weakness of their forces and the 
 certainty of their defeat in the face of the formidable power 
 and the unlimited resources of the people of the United States. 
 It has frequently been said that the war against the Americans 
 was but the work of a group of Tagals, but the extent and dura- 
 tion of the military operations carried on- by the American 
 forces and the unanimous restetance with which they met 
 everywhere prove that the national sentiment of the Filipinos 
 was opposed to a new domination. 
 
 The Filipinos accepted peace, not for the purpose of giving up 
 their aspirations for independence, but only to change their 
 method of obtaining them. They were willing to go through the 
 training in self-government which was required of'- them in the 
 hope that they would thus secure their independence sooner. 
 They were convinced of their own capacity, and therefore instead 
 of obstructing the work of reconstruction and progress inau- 
 gurated by the American Government, they heartily lent their 
 cooperation, at the same time bending every energy to secure 
 larger opportunities to show in actual practice and in the exer- 
 cise of great responsibilities what they could do in governmental 
 affairs. 
 
 The history of the last 10 'years, from the organization of the 
 Philippine Assembly, when for the first time the people were 
 permitted to express their opinion in regard to their political 
 future, proves beyond doubt the firm and unswerving determina- 
 tion of the Filipinos to obtain a full recognition of their inter- 
 national sovereignty. 
 
 Speaker Osmena, in a speech delivered at the close of the 
 legislative session on June 19, 190S, made the following utter- 
 ances : 
 
 Through all the vicissitudes, difficulties, and reverses the ideal of the 
 Filipino people has remained unalterable. The adverse fortune of Fili- 
 pino arms has not shaken the aspirations of the people, neither has the 
 false hope so often held out in the midst of people’s misfortunes, of the 
 possibility of the Philippines being made a State of the great American 
 Union ever made them hesitate in the least. The Filipino people 
 accepted peace, principally because they expected justice from the 
 American people. Far from holding aloof from or making difficult the 
 work of the Government in its implantation, they did everything they 
 could to promote and improve it. They went to the polls when the 
 municipal government was established ; they also willingly took part In 
 the government of the Provinces when amid countless difficulties, and 
 when the ruins of the revolution still loomed grim and terrible they 
 were called upon to do so; and they chose their representatives when 
 the sorenm hour came for the most difficult test of their capacity to 
 122370—19489 
 
30 
 
 manage their own destiny. But neither before nor after did they yield 
 to promise or fear ; before and after they aspired for their national 
 independence, both when they cast their vote in favor of a free and 
 independent life and when yesterday on the battle field they offered the 
 lives of their best sons for the sake of our country and of her ideais. 
 We must thus speak clearly in this august place, where fallacy does not 
 lurk, where deceit has no place, and where truth finds its seat, and 
 where justice presents itself with all of Its lofty attributes ; we must 
 speak thus in this place where we feel with full sense of responsibility 
 our love, our most legitimate veneration for the Philippines. 
 
 The Filipino people aspire to-day, as before taking up arms for the 
 second time against Spain, as thereafter in the din of arms, and then In 
 peace, for their national independence. 
 
 Allow me, gentlemen of the house, following the dictates of my con- 
 science as a delegate, as a representative of the country, under my re- 
 sponsibility as speaker of this house, to declare solemnly, as I do now 
 before God and' before the world, that we believe that our people aspire 
 for their independence ; that our people consider themselves capable of 
 leading an orderly life, efficient for themselves and for others, in the con- 
 cert of free and civilized nations ; and that we believe that if the people 
 of the United States were to decide at this moment the Philippine cause 
 in favor of the Filipinos the latter could, in assuming the consequent 
 responsibility, comply with their duties to themselves and to others 
 without detriment to liberty, to justice, and to right. 
 
 At the close of the legislative session on May 20, 1909, the fol- 
 lowing resolution was passed by the Philippine Assembly : 
 
 Whereas at the meeting of June 19, 1908, the assembly approved and 
 adopted the following words of the speaker, to wit : 
 
 “Allow me, gentlemen of the house, following the dictates of my 
 conscience as a delegate, as a representative of the country, under my 
 responsibility as speaker of this house, to declare solemnly, as I do 
 now before God and before the world, that we believe that our people 
 aspire for. their independence ; that our people consider themselves 
 capable of leading an orderly life, efficient for themselves and for 
 others, in the concert of free and civilized nations ; and that we be- 
 lieve that if the people, of the United States were to decide at this 
 moment the Philippine cause in favor of the Filipinos, the latter 
 could, in assuming the consequent responsibility, comply with their 
 duties to themselves and to others, without detriment to liberty, to 
 justice, and to right.” 
 
 Whereas the Hon. Manuel U. Quezon, delegate from Tayabas, attended 
 said meeting and voted in favor of said resolution, and said lion. 
 Manuel L. Quezon is now elected Resident Commissioner of the Philip- 
 pine Islands in the United States : Therefore be it 
 Resolved, That this house state to the Resident Commissioner elect, 
 non. Manuel L. Quezon, that the members thereof would be highly satis- 
 fied if, upon bis appearance before the Congress of the United States 
 and when he finds opportunity therefor, he should make known to said 
 Congress our aspiration for independence as expressed at the meeting 
 of the assembly on June 19, 1908. 
 
 Resident Commissioner Mr. Quezon, in fulfilling the instruc- 
 tions contained in the above resolution, delivered a speech in the 
 House of Representatives on May 14, 1910, in the course of 
 which he said : 
 
 Mr. Chairman, from what I have said it can be sfen that the affairs 
 of the islands are not in a very encouraging state ; rather, that the out- 
 look is depressing. The Filipinos, however, are patiently and hopefuHy 
 looking forward to blighter days. We are aware that you have' not 
 gone to those islands for your own profit ; we are aware that you have 
 not gone there to subjugate us, but to emancipate us. The lesson of 
 your history — the most brilliant history of all the nations of the 
 world — is inconsistent with any other motive in your dealings with the 
 Filipinos than that of making them free. This great Republic, founded 
 and reared by liberty-loving people, can not undertake any task not in 
 keeping with right, justice, happiness, and liberty for all mankind. We 
 have an unshaken faith in the future destiny of our beloved fatherland, 
 since Us fate was committed to your care. We firmly believe and sin- 
 cerely trust that the day will soon come when this Congress, composed 
 of the representatives of a God-fearing people, will generously give to us 
 the blessings of that freedom which has made you so happy, so pros- 
 perous, and so great, and which is, aftqr all, the keynote of the happi- 
 122370—19489 
 
31 
 
 ness and prosperity of every people. When that time comes— and let 
 us hope that it may happen to-morrow — the day when was raised in the 
 Philippines the ever-glorious Stars and Stripes will eternally be the best 
 celebrated day of our national life. 
 
 Iii a memorial submitted to the then Secretary of War, Mr. 
 Dickinson, by the Nacionalista Party on September 1, 1910, the 
 following was said : 
 
 These facts are mentioned with the object of showing that the per- 
 sistency of the Filipinos in being independent is bound up in the recol- 
 lections of that short period of their past in which, associated with the 
 Americans, they threw down the secular power of a sovereignty and 
 experienced the satisfaction and happiness of governing themselves, 
 their interests, and their future. Then, they understood how satis- 
 factory and sweet to the citizens is the yoke imposed by the power of 
 its own laws and the government by men of its own race, and how 
 close and loyal is the cooperation which exists between people and gov- 
 ernment to better the interests of the country and to enter resolutely 
 and without embarrassment into the wide ways of human progress. 
 Then the Filipinos abandoned all the vicious practices which the former 
 sovereignty had extended over all the masses and recovered the good 
 qualities which people free from all yoke possessed. This moved the 
 Filipinos to resist with all their force the new American domination, 
 and to submit to it only when they fully understood that they might be 
 independent in a more or less short period. The efforts of the Filipinos 
 in defense of that government, the blood which its soldiers shed, and 
 the money which was employed in the service of the Filipino flag, 
 recalls to them constantly that short period of its happiness and makes 
 them consider the present as a temporary situation which they desire to 
 abbreviate as much as possible in order to acquire the satisfaction of 
 their national ambitions and their intentions of elevation and enrich- 
 ment of the country. 
 
 On February 3, 1911, the Philippine Assembly passed the fol- 
 lowing resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the assembly ask, as it hereby does ask, the Congress 
 of the United States immWiately to recognize "the independence of the 
 Filipino people in the form expressed in the memorial of the Nacional- 
 ista Party, dated September 1, 1910; 
 
 Resolved further, That the assembly adopt each and every conclusion 
 and proposition contained in said memorial ; and 
 
 Resolved further. That this resolution be transmitted by cable to the 
 Congress of the United States and to the Resident Commissioners of the 
 Philippine Islands, suggesting that they present and support the same 
 in Congress before the termination of Hie present session of said 
 Congress. 
 
 On February 1, 1912, the Philippine Assembly reiterated its 
 petition in the following terms; 
 
 Resolved, That the Philippine Assembly reiterate, as it hereby does 
 reiterate, the petition for immediate independence of the Philippines to 
 the Congress of the United States. 
 
 Resolved further. That this resolution be transmitted by cable to. the 
 Resident Commissioners, in Washington, recommending that the same 
 be conveyed to and supported in said Congress. 
 
 On February 11, 1913, in view of the change of administration 
 in the United States^ Speaker Osmcna, in his speech at the close 
 of the. legislative session, made the following declarations ; 
 
 There in America another party now comes to power — the Democratic 
 Party. Old in history, new in victory, this party has been unceasingly 
 fighting for the ideals of the Filipino people for more than a decade. 
 It stated in a solemn manner before all the nations in its Baltimore 
 platform the following : 
 
 “ We reaffirm the position thrice announced by the Democracy in 
 national convention assembled against a policy of imperialism and 
 colonial exploitation in the Philippines or elsewhere. We condemn the 
 experiment in imperialism as an inexcusable blunder, which has in- 
 volved us in enormous expenses, brought us weakness instead of 
 strength, and laid ottr Nation open to the charge of abandonment of 
 the fundamental doctrine of self government. We favor an immediate 
 declaration of the Nation's purpose to recognize the independence of the 
 Philippine Islands as soon as a stable government ean be established, 
 122370— 194S9 
 
 
 
32 
 
 such Independence to be guaranteed by us until the neutralization of 
 the islands can be secured by treaty u ith other powers. 
 
 “ In recognizing the independence of the Philippines our Govern- 
 ment should retain such land as may be necessary for coaling stations 
 and naval bases ” 
 
 Wc trust that the meaning of these words, which are clear and un- 
 mistakable, will be transmuted into reality. I believe and hope that 
 this will be done, because the American people are just. The die is 
 cast, and God, who has never failed the other people, will not fail ours. 
 In the meantime let us remain quiet; let everyone stay ‘in his rank, 
 fighting as he can ; let us carry on our campaigns with courage and dis- 
 interestedness, and either we are entirely mistaken or the days to come 
 will be to the Filipino people, who have struggled so much and suffered 
 so much, days of vindication, days of liberty. 
 
 On' October 16, 1913, the Philippine Assembly passed the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 Resolution sending to th'e President of the United States of America 
 through the Governor General of the Philippines a message from the 
 Philippine Assembly in the name of the Filipino people. 
 
 Whereas the President of the United States has sent through the Gov- 
 ernor General, the Hon. Francis Burton Harrison, as message to 
 the people of the Philippines, and said message was duly delivered on 
 the 16th day of October, 1913. its text being as follows : 
 
 “ We regard ourselves as trustees, acting not for the advantage 
 of the United States, but for the benefit of the people of the Philip- 
 pine Islands. — - 
 
 “ Every step we take will be taken with a view to the ultimate in- 
 dependence of the islands and as a preparation for that independence. 
 And we hope to move toward that end as rapidly as the safety and 
 the permanent interests of the islands will permit. After each step 
 taken experience will guide us to the next. 
 
 “ The administration will take .one step at once, and will give to 
 the native citizens of the islands a majority in the appointive com- 
 mission, and thus in the upper as well as in the lower house of the 
 legislature a majority representation will be secured. 
 
 “ We do this in the confident hope and expectation that immediate 
 proof will be given in the action of the commission under the new 
 arrangement of the political capacity of those native citizens who 
 have already come forward to represent and to lead their people in 
 affairs.” 
 
 Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That the Philippine Assembly, in the name of the people 
 of the Philippines, pray, as it hereby prays, the chief executive thereof 
 to kindly forward to the President of the United States the following 
 message in reply : 
 
 We, the representatives of the Filipino people, constituting the Philip- 
 pine Assembly, do solemly declare — 
 
 That the right of the Filipino people to be free and independent is 
 evident to us, so that pursuing the line of progress for themselves, 
 theirs is the responsibility to labor for their prosperity in all lines 
 and direct their own destinies. This was the aspiration of the people 
 in entering into the contest with Spain, and the presence of the 
 American flag in Manila Bay first and later in the interior of the 
 archipelago did not modify but rather it affirmed that aspiration in 
 spite of reverses in war and difficulties in peace. The people, when 
 called upon to deposit their ballots, ratified once .for all this aspira- 
 tion, and the national representation since the inauguration of the 
 assembly has but acted in harmony with the popular will. So, in the 
 midst of the most adverse conditions, the ideal of the people has not 
 faltered, and it is so stated respectfully and frankly on this occasion 
 to the authorities of the United States. 
 
 On the other hand, our faith in the justice of the American people 
 has been as great and as persistent as our ideal. We have waited 
 patiently, confident that sooner or later mistakes and injustice would be 
 corrected. The message of the President of the United States to tho 
 Filipino people tells eloquently that we have not waited in vain. 
 
 We accept this message with love and gratitude, and we consider it a 
 definite statement of the purpose of the American Nation to recog- 
 nize the independence of the islands. The immediate step to concede 
 us a majority on the commission puts into our hands the instruments 
 of power and of responsibility for the institution by ourselves of a 
 stable Philippine government. We fully recognize and we are grateful 
 from the bottom of our hearts for the confidence placed in us by the 
 Government of the United States. We appreciate the appointment of 
 122370— 194S9 
 
33 
 
 the Hon. Francis Burton Harrison as governor general, considering it 
 the unequivocal announcement of the new era, wherein we expect that 
 the attitude of the people- be one of decided cooperation and support. 
 We believe that the experiments of imperialism have ended, and that 
 the policy of colonial exploitation has passed into history. The time 
 for suspicions has passed, and upon the opening of the doors of oppor- 
 tunity to Filipinos the weight of responsibility is made to rest upon 
 them, which it were inexcusable cowardice to evade or refuse. Hence 
 in a few days good understanding has been arrived at between Amer- 
 icans and Filipinos which in the past 13 years could hot take root. 
 We are convinced that each stop taken, while relieving the American 
 Government of its responsibilities in the islands, will fully demon- 
 strate, as in the past, the actual ability of the Filipino people to 
 establish self-government, and under such government guarantee per- 
 manently the life, the property, and the liberty of the residents of the 
 Islands, whether native or foreign^ We do not mean by this that there 
 will be no difficulties or hindrances. We do not even hope that the 
 campaign, - open or secret, of the enemies of the Philippines cause will 
 quickly end, but we feel sure that through the use of the faculties 
 intrusted to us the Filipino people, by the grace of God and the help 
 of America, will proudly emerge from the test, however difficult it be ; 
 and 
 
 Resolved further. That a committee of seven be appointed by the 
 speaker of the assembly to go to the office of the governor general 
 and deliver to him this resolution duly certified. 
 
 At the last meeting of the session ending February 28, 1914, 
 Speaker Osmena submitted, before closing his speech, the fol- 
 lowing declaration, which was unanimously adopted : 
 
 We, the representatives of the Filipino people, constituting the Phil- 
 ippine Assembly, solemnly make the v following 
 DECLARATION. 
 
 In ratifying, as we do hereby ratify, the national aspiration to inde- 
 pendence so often expressed by this assembly in previous sessions, espe- 
 cially in that of the 3d of February, 1911, we ratify our faith in the 
 immortal principles of the Declaration of Independence made by the 
 American people in 1776. This declaration, though written by Jefferson, 
 belongs to humanity and yet holds good. Above the egoism of peoples 
 clothed at times in the dazzling mantle of a feigned generosity and the 
 pride of nations obsessed by the fleeting triumphs of an imperialism 
 ambitious and aggressive, the history of many years tells us that the 
 advancement and greatness of a nation may be firmly established with- 
 out abandoning the fundamental principles of self-government, and 
 that this doctrine may be preserved, with loyalty and love through all 
 changes and through the passing of many generations. 
 
 We consider the policy of the present President of the United States, 
 and of his representative in the Philippines, the Governor General, as 
 rightfully inspired by the principles of that declaration. Hence, in 
 contrast to the previous administration, which, actuated by the idea 
 of colonial expansion, could find but vague and indecisive words in 
 tracing its line of conduct in the Philippines, the present administra- 
 tion from the first moment found within its sphere of action categoric 
 and definite declarations as to what in its judgment should be the 
 future of a Christian people of 8,000,000 placed merely by the chances 
 of war in the hands ot the United States. 
 
 These forceful declarations were made despite the persistent and 
 apparently organized efforts principally of those who, being responsible 
 for having established a government by force yesterday, are attempt- 
 ing now, under the spetious pretext of subserving the interest of the 
 Filipino, to keep the people of the United States by every possible 
 means from doing justice to the Filipinos. The President of the United 
 States, as leader of the party in power, and as the exponent of the 
 ideas of its people in vogue now, has already started to rectify erro- 
 neous theories in respect to the Philippines, exemplified in 15 years of 
 imperialistic administration. It is now within the constitutional au- 
 thority of Congress to definitely decide the insistent demands sub- 
 mitted to it. with honor for the Americans and with justice for the 
 Filipinos. Besides the basic principles of government established since 
 remote ages, after the long sufferings and weariness borne by those 
 wj^o, like us, were oppressed and sought liberty. Congress has the good 
 fortune to possess another specific rule, and ultimately solemnly 
 adopted in three national conventions, and one of which, after ratifi- 
 cation in Baltimore, won the campaign that culminated in the election 
 of the present majority in Congress. We earnestly and respectfully 
 122370—19489 3 
 
34 
 
 urge the early adoption by Congress of those legislative measures that 
 in its wisdom it believes should be adopted to make the promises of 
 independence to the Philippines immediately effective. 
 
 Respecting ourselves, the Filipinos, we regard the early adoption of 
 such legislation essential to our life as a people. Not only because 
 we are contending with strong adversaries many miles away, far from 
 our soil and our environment, and that we arc destitute of the power 
 of the ballot, but because it is fundamental for the permanent effec- 
 tiveness of our efforts in behalf of the progress and welfare of our 
 people that we have in our hands the guarantees of our future. In 
 insisting on the immediate control of our affairs we are not actuated 
 by the single desire to burden ourselves with the heavy weight of new 
 responsibilities, but because we wish right now to establish the perma- 
 nent bases of our political nationality, and, step by step, with confi- 
 dence and assurance, to move forward, so that without unnecessary 
 and sudden changes we may build \«tli our own hands, piece by piece, 
 and following the pattern which popular conscience advises us to be 
 the best, the governmental structure, having as its main duty the pro- 
 motion of happiness, the preservation of peace, and the protection of 
 life and property of the natives and of the foreigners of good will who 
 may live and settle in our Philippine territory. 
 
 On February 16, 1915, the Philippine Commission and the 
 Philippine Assembly approved the following resolutions: 
 
 Resolved by the Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly 
 in joint session assembled, in the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento 
 Building in Manila, That the Governor General be, and he is hereby, 
 requested to send the following message from the Philippine Legisla- 
 ture to the President of the United States : 
 
 “ We express our deep gratitude for the unwavering interest shown by 
 the President in behalf of the people of the Philippine Islands. This 
 reiteration of intention to support -the Filipino people in their petition 
 for an independent government shows the sincerity and perseverance 
 with which the administration proposes to carry out the plan for the 
 independence of the Philippines, and that this intention is the same as 
 that communicated to the people of the Philippine Islands in so solemn 
 a manner on the 6th of October, 1913, and afterwards ratified by the 
 President in his subsequent messages to Cofigress. 
 
 “ For our part, we again reiterate, in the name of the Filipino people, 
 the national desire and purpose set forth on many former occasions. 
 We have already made such substantial progress in local government 
 that it has been deemed wise and desirable to give to the people the 
 practical management of their affairs, both municipal and provincial. 
 The result of the reform extending popular control in provincial gov- 
 ernment has demonstrated that the hopes of success of those respon- 
 sible for this measure, ndopted Because of full confidenae in the capacity 
 of the people, has justified the action. The confidence of the Govern- 
 ment of the United States has been also fully justified by the result of 
 extending Filipino control in the insular government. Notwithstand- 
 ing that the tumult of the world's greatest war still continues and that 
 everywhere the effect has been felt in financial and economic crises, 
 yet in spite of the limited resources of our government and the con- 
 tinuing limitations of our commerce, the government of the Philippine 
 Islands has successfully met its every necessary expenditure without 
 resort to additional loans either from the United States or foreign 
 Governments. 
 
 “ But, living not alone for the present, our foresight goes far beyond, 
 nnd we wish to assure a stable future for our people. We desirs^an 
 increase of the elements of our national life and progress. We ask yet 
 more, and for that reason in reiterating, ns we hereby do reiterate, 
 our urgent petitions for liberty and independence for the people of the 
 Philippine Islands we, the elected representatives of the Filipino people, 
 express our confidence that the efforts of the President of the United 
 States to secure the fulfillment of his promises and the realization of 
 our lawful hopes will obtain early nnd complete success.” 
 
 On February 4, 1916, the Philippine Assembly unanimously 
 approved the following political declaration : 
 
 It has always been customary with the Philippine Assembly at every 
 session before adjournment to ratify its faith in the principles of liberty 
 and independence of the Filipino people, not because such prlneijfles 
 need be repeated each time in order to find a firm lodgment in the 
 heart of the popular chamber; no; but to demonstrate to the world 
 that neither time nor circumstances, often disheartening, has succeeded 
 in diverting the representatives of the people from the line of conduct 
 mapped out since the beginning of their public life. During that period 
 122370—19489 
 
35 
 
 of our struggle against dominant imperialism we felt it our duty to 
 face the, fact, and, despite the precarious situation and the timidity 
 of a few 'people, frankly*to state to our sovereign, the American people, 
 the sole ambition of our existence. And so we did. At the dawn of a 
 new era for the Philippines those sacred principles which heretofore 
 were abhorred by some now find the doors of hope opened, so that all, 
 without any exception, may freely enter and receive a hearty welcome. 
 
 The news coming from the Senate of the United States would indi- 
 cate that the final hour has struck. In the acts of the insular ad- 
 ministration here, as well as in those of the United States Government, 
 the most sincere intentions to do us full justice are apparent. For 
 this reason the Philippine Assembly, the depositary of popular aspira- 
 tions, can not but see with satisfaction that its long and persevering 
 efforts and its insistent and fervid demands are upon the point of being 
 crystallized into material and tangible form. On the eve of such 
 transcendent events, after the uncertainty and struggles of the past, and 
 in the midst of our hopes for speedy emancipation, we, the representa- 
 tives assembled, turn our eyes mow to the Capitol of the United States 
 and once more await with persistence and faith the enactment of the 
 pending measure. The tenacity, efforts, activities, and sacrifices, shown 
 by our Resident Commissioners have been no small factor in th.e struggle 
 now about to effect this happy consummation. They have been, and are. 
 the guiding spirits of this great campaign. We applaud their splendid 
 and patriotic work, and we recognize that no one could have done 
 within so short a time wbat they have done in behalf of this country. 
 We expect that as Members of the House of Representatives they will 
 lose no opportunity to move the patriotism of the American people 
 and appeal to the sentiments of. humanity and justice of their Repre- 
 sentatives. Our fervant desire is that the longed-for measure be not 
 delayed. in its passage. We Filipinos earnestly desire it. Once again 
 we are one in this plea, as we were in the revolution. We feel con- 
 fident that Divine Justice will grajit us in peace what it could not 
 grant us in time of war. 
 
 On October 16, 1917, the same Philippine Legislature approved 
 another joint resolution, which says: 
 
 Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 Philippines, in joint session assembled in th^. Marble Hall of the 
 Ayuntamiento : That the governor general be, and hereby is, requested 
 to send the following message to the President of the United States : 
 “ The Philippine Legislature deems It a duty incumbent upon it to 
 voice the unequivocal expressions of the loyalty of the people of these 
 islands to the cause of the United States of America in the present 
 war and in this solemn manner to ratify and transmit the same to the 
 American people. We realize that in this war there are being tried in 
 the balance the greatest principles of humanity and right which in 
 future will be the foundation of the stability, peace, and security of 
 all nations, whether they be great or small or belong to one race or 
 another. . , 
 
 “ Our loyalty to the cause is based on the evident justice of the 
 enforced intervention of the American people in this war, in which 
 they have been guided solely by the supreme interest of defending 
 universal democracy and upholding the right of small nations to live 
 in confidence and security under their own governments, safe from the 
 threats and perils of autocracy and imperialism. 
 
 We firmly believe that the final triumph of democracy, in secur- 
 ing for the world the principle of nationality for the benefit of the 
 small nations, will finally enable our people to attain the ideals for 
 which we have always struggled, namely, our constitution into a free 
 and independent nation, with a democratic government of law and 
 order, ready to be another instrument of democra'cy and universal 
 progress.” 
 
 On November 20, 1918, upon receipt of official notification of 
 the signing of the armistice, the Philippine Legislature approved 
 the following message to the President of the United States : 
 Whereas the Chief Executive has just informed the legislature that it 
 may take official cognizance of the termination of hostilities in Europe 
 under the terms of the armistice laid down by the United States and 
 her associated Governments ; and 
 
 Whereas said terms of the armistice are such as to insure the advent 
 of peace : Now, therefore, be it 
 
 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philip- 
 pines, assembled in joint session in the marble hall of the Ayuntamiento , 
 That a message of the most heartfelt congratulations be sent to the 
 122370— 194S0 
 
36 
 
 President of the United States for the brilliant success obtained by 
 the United States in the terrible war just ended, together with the 
 expressions ot the confident expectation of the Filipino people“that this 
 victory of power shall be converted into the^victory of right by the 
 glorious realization of the great ideals of humanity, justice, and liberty 
 and self-government enunciated and reiterated by President Wilson ; 
 
 Be it further resolved, That -this body express, and does hereby ex- 
 press, the gratitude of the Filipino people to the United States for the 
 part they were allowed to take in the most far-reaching enterprise 
 ever- undertaken by democracy, the first part of which, fought in the 
 field of arms, has successfully ended ; 
 
 Be it finally resolved. That the Filipino people, which have un- 
 qualifiedly sided with the United Sftites when the war was thrust upon 
 her, hereby renew their adherence to the noble purposes sought in the 
 war, and they place themselves again, "as heretofore, at the pleasure 
 of the American people, ready to contribute their modest but cordial 
 and determined service in the forthcoming task of reconstruction and 
 peace. The Filipino people believe that Providence, in choosing the 
 American people as the leaders in this stupendous and immortal enter- 
 prise, has ordained in Ilis high designs that through the complete 
 development and application to all peoples of the principles which 
 have given birth to the United States the fruit of victory, gained at 
 the cost of untold sacrifices, shall not have come to naught ; that 
 the world be made safe for democracy ; that the rights and liberties of 
 the small nations be forever ^secured and guaranteed ; that the people 
 desiring to be free be liberated and allowed to establish, without fear or 
 hindrance, a government of their own choosing, and change it at will, 
 when so demanded by their best interests ; that the weak be not at 
 the mercy of the strong ; and that the spirit of selfishness and domina- 
 tion be destroyed, and established in its place among all free men of 
 the world, a new kingdom of constructive and equal justice, based upon 
 foumL^tions that will make it universal, secure, and permanent. And 
 wheTrall these things shall have be<*n accomplished the universal belief 
 shall have been confirmed, that the war which has happily ended has 
 been fought in the interest of free humanity and the everlasting peace 
 of the world. 
 
 In each and every one of these documents the sentiment of 
 the Filipinos for t]ieir independence, a living sentiment, con- 
 stant and ever-growing, is reflected. Neither the years that have 
 passed nor the benefits received from the American Government 
 have in any manner changed this sentiment. The Filipinos 
 to-day, more than ever, believe that the time has come when 
 the political relations between the two countries should be 
 settled and adjusted with a view to a final solution. It is for 
 this reason that the legislature enacted a law creating a com- 
 mittee on independence, charged with the duty of studying the 
 means of and taking the necessary steps for negotiating with 
 the Government of the United States the terms of the independ- 
 ence of the Philippines. This committee has deemed it neces- 
 sary to send to the United States a special mission, which is 
 not a political body. The economic interests of the country 
 predominate in it. Out of the 2G full-fledged members, 14 have 
 no official connections, are not in active politics ; 4 officially 
 represent agricultural interests; 2 represent industrial inter- 
 ests ; 4 represent commercial interests ; 1 represents the Cath- 
 olics of the country j 1 represents the laborers; 1, formerly a 
 Resident Commissioner in Washington, is now a business man; 
 and 1 I'epresents the medical profession. These 14 men have 
 official representation of the economic forces of the country, 
 and they are all for the immediate independence of the Philip- 
 pines. 
 
 Nothing could better explain the present attitude of the 
 Filipinos and their determination to obtain their independence 
 from the Government and people of The United States than the 
 documents hereto appended, where the legislature defines the 
 122370 — 194S9 
 
37 
 
 powers of tlie Philippine mission and states its duties. (See 
 
 Appendices “A” and “ B.”) 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 Manuel L. Quezon, president of the Philippine Senate, 
 chairman; Rafael Palma, secretary of the in- 
 terior and senator fourth district (Manila), vice 
 chairman ; Dionisio JaTSosalem, secretary of com- 
 merce and communications, member; Pedro M. 
 Sison, senator second district (Pangasinan) , 
 member; V. Singson Enearnacion, senator first 
 district (Ilocos), member; Rafael Alunan, rep- 
 resentative (Occidental Negros), majority floor 
 leader, member; Emiliano Tria Tirona, repre- 
 sentative (Cavite ) , minority floor leader, member; 
 Gregorio Nieva, representative (Tayabas) , mem- 
 ber; Mariano Escueta, representative (Bulacan) , 
 , member; Manuel Escudero, representative (Sor- 
 sogon), member; Pedro Aunario, representative 
 ( Mountain Province), member; Pablo Ocampo, 
 former Resident Commissioner from the Philip- 
 pines to the United States (1907-1009) , member; 
 Filemon Perez, former representative (Tayabas) , 
 representing agricultural interests, member; Jose 
 Reyes, former governor of Misamis, representing 
 agricultural interests, member; Delfin Mahinay, 
 former representative (Occidental Negros), rep- 
 resenting agricultural interests, member; Cefe- 
 rino de Leon, former representative (Bulacan) , 
 representing agricultural interests, member; 
 Jorge Bocobo, dean college of law, University of 
 the Philippines, member ; Tomas Earnshaw, rep- 
 resenting industrial interests, member; Pedro 
 Gil, representing industrial interests, member; 
 Mauro Prieto, representing commercial interests, 
 member; Juan B. Alegre; representing commer- 
 cial interests, member; Carlos Cuyugan, repre- 
 senting commercial interests, member; Marcos 
 Roces, representing commercial interests, mem- 
 ber; Gregorio Singian, physician and surgeon, 
 member; Gabriel La O, lawyer, member; Crisanto 
 Evangelista, labor representative, member ; Jaime 
 C. de Veyra, Resident Commissioner from the 
 Philippines in the United States, member ex 
 officio; Teodoro R. Yangco, Resident Commis- 
 sioner from the Philippines in the United States, 
 member ex officio; Quintin Paredes, attorney gen- 
 eral of the Philippine Islands, technical adviser; 
 Conrado Benitez, dean college of liberal arts, 
 University of the Philippines, technical adviser; 
 Enrique Altavas, chief of land registration office, 
 technical adviser; Camilo Osias, assistant di- 
 rector of education, technical adviser; Jose A. 
 Santos, assistant attorney general, technical- ad- 
 viser; Jorge B. Vargas, major, Philippine Na- 
 tional Guard, aid; Arsenio N. Luz, editor El 
 Ideal; Francisco Varona, associate editor El 
 Debate; Maximo M. Kalaw, assistant professor, 
 University of the Philippines, secretary. 
 
 122370 — 19489 
 
38 
 
 Appendix A. 
 
 Fourth Philippine Legislature, special session of .1919. 
 Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philip- 
 pines, in joint session assembled, adopting a declaration of purposes 
 for the guidance of the commission of independence. 
 
 Whereas the commission of independence has informed the Philippine 
 Legislature that it is ready to receive from it instructions or declara- 
 tions for its future guidance, in order to insure the best possible per- 
 formance of the duties of the commission : Now, therefore, be it 
 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philip- 
 pines, in joint session assembled in the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento, 
 That the following declaration of purposes be, and the same hereby is, 
 adopted, to wit : 
 
 DECLARATION OF PURPOSES. 
 
 The Philippine question has reached such a stage that a full and final 
 exchange of views between the United States of America and the Philip- 
 pine Islands has become necessary. We need not repeat the declarations 
 respecting the national aspirations of the Filipino people. Such decla- 
 rations have been made from time to time in the most frank and solemn 
 manner by the constitutional representatives of the Philippine nation 
 and are a matter of permanent record in public documents covering 
 more than a decade of persistent efforts, particularly during the last 
 ^ three years. America, on hep- part, has been sufficiently explicit in her 
 '■'V purposes from the beginning of her occupation of the Philippines. It 
 is true that the treaty of Paris, whereby the sovereignty formerly exer- 
 cised by Spain passed to the United States, was negotiated and con- 
 cluded without the intervention or consent of the Filipinos, and that 
 the United States of America did not occupy the Philippine Archipelago 
 upon, a previous categorical declaration like that formulated and made 
 public before the occupation of Cuba." IJut, aside from certain differ- 
 ences in the details of both occupations which, not having been fore- 
 seen upon the declaration of war between the United States and Spain, 
 ■ subsequently gave rise to debate and differences of opinion regarding 
 . procedure, it is an incontrovertible fact that the definite purpose of the 
 United States in both cases was the same : The disinterested liberation 
 of the peoples subjugated by Spain. The American flag that waved over 
 Cuba for lofty reasons of humanity and justice, scrupulously observed 
 and respected after the victory, is the same flag which, when the war 
 spread to this part of the globe, extended its protecting folds over an- 
 other people anxious for justice and liberty. And that American flag 
 could not stand for emancipation in Cuba and at the same time for 
 forcible subjugation in the Philippines. The difference, if such ever 
 existed, consisted only in matters of detail not in the affirmative and 
 observance of the cardinal principles. In one case, owing to the prox- 
 imity of Cuba to the American shores, the terms of the problem were 
 known at the outset and provisions had been made for its solution. In 
 the other, the lack of adequate information in the United States as to 
 the true conditions of the Philippine problem, aggravated by long dis- 
 tance, momentarily obscured the question and naturally gave rise to a 
 less determined and speedy procedure. Thus while Cuba became free 
 and independent after scarcely four years of American occupation, the 
 Philippines, which professed the same ideals as their sister of the 
 Antilles, continue in a state of dependency after more than 20 years 
 of such occupation. 
 
 In submitting the Philippine question to the Government and people 
 of the United States, the commission of independence will find it unnec- 
 essary to refer to the natural acerbity of the situation or to the anxiety 
 of our people which two decades of occupation have only served to 
 accentuate. The steadfastness of our position is not due to mere senti- 
 ment but to the justice of our cause, sanctified by the laVs of God and 
 nature not only but admitted in the promises solemnly made by the 
 United States and accepted by the Philippines. Although attention 
 should respectfully be invited to the fact that the Filipino people have 
 never renounced their independence, not even in the moments of the 
 greatest adversity brought about by the enforced or voluntary submis- 
 sion of their own leaders, yet the commission of independence in dwell- 
 ing upon the promises made will unreservedly and with the deepest 
 gratitude recognize that they were made freely and generously to a 
 small and powerless people after they had suffered defeat in the field of 
 battle. The deliberate attitude of our country in reposing confidence in 
 those promises and laboring peacefully in pursuance thereof must also 
 be asserted. Thus, after the rupture of relations occasioned by three 
 years of war, during which the right of the Filipinos to their inde- 
 pendence was disputed, unsuccessfully so far as they were concerned, 
 122370—19489 
 
39 
 
 violence pave way to harmony and hostility to cooperation ; and thanks 
 to the growing influence of the new conditions of peace, Americans and 
 Filipinos who a .short time ago fought each other and stained the Phil- 
 ippine soil with blood, undertook jointly together, on the basis of a 
 friendly undertaking, a magnificent labor which has been carried on 
 with the orderly progress of liberty and self-government. 
 
 The commission must not lose sight of the fact that the altruistic 
 Ideals and the wise and efficient aid of America in peace justly won for 
 her our confidence and gratitude. Far from allowing a policy of selfish 
 exploitation to direct the destinies of these islands. America proclaimed 
 and insisted that the interest and welfare of the Philippines were to be 
 considered a sacred trust confided to the people of the United States. 
 Instead of the national spirit being stifled, it was announced from the 
 outset that the natural development of self-government would be pro- 
 moted. The total surrender of the government of the municipalities to 
 popular control, the constant increase in the measure of self-govern- 
 ment in the administration of the Provinces, and the growing participa- 
 tion of the people* in the management of the central government and 
 of national affairs ; the plan of a general free elementary education con- 
 ceived from the start ; the establishment of the national assembly, with 
 the subsequent addition of an elective senate, and, finally, the accept- 
 ance of the offers of adhesion and aid of the Philippines to the cause of 
 America in the recent war, based on the principles of justice and self- 
 government, liberty and security for small nations, as proclaimed by 
 the Government of the United States, are fundamental facts of the 
 policy of America in these islands which have appealed to the heart 
 and brightened the hopes of the Filipino people. President Roosevelt, 
 proudly contemplating, rather than the initial results of the work, 
 the loftiness and purity of the principles enunciated, said with good 
 reason that “ No great civilized power has ever handled with such wis- 
 dom and- disinterestedness the affairs of a people committed by the acci- 
 dent of war to its hands.” “ Save only our attitude towards Cuba,” 
 Mr. Roosevelt continued, “I question whether there is a brighter' page 
 in the annals of international dealing between the strong and tlte weak 
 than the page which tells of our doings in the Philippines.” (Jan. 27. 
 1908.) And subsequently he proclaimed in a message to Congress that 
 “ the Filipino people, through their officials, are therefore making real 
 steps in the direction of self-government ” and that he hoped and 
 trusted that these steps would mark “ the beginning of a course which 
 will continue till the Filipinos become fit to decide for themselves 
 whether they desire to be an independent nation.” (Dec. 8, 1908.) In 
 the opinion of William II. Taft, who implanted our civil regime, the 
 national policy w T ith regard to the Philippines contemplated a gradual 
 and constant extension of popular control, and making a logical deduc- 
 tion, he said, “ When the Filipino people as a w-hole, show themselves 
 reasonably tit to conduct a popular self-government, maintaining law 
 and order and offering equal protection of the law's and civil rights to 
 rich and poor, and desire complete independence of the United States, 
 they shall be given it.” (Jan. 23, 1908.) These statements of Mr. 
 Taft, made while he w-as Secretary of War, were confirmed by him 
 when, as President of the United States, he said in a message to Con- 
 gress : “We should endeavor to secure for the Filipinos economic inde- 
 pendence and to fit them for complete self-government, with the power 
 to decide eventually, according to their own largest good, whether such 
 self-government shall be accompanied by independence.” (Dec. 6, 
 1912.) 
 
 On March 4, 1913, there was a change fn the administration of the 
 United States, and the power passed from the Republicans to the Demo- 
 crats. Seven months later Hon. Francis Burton Harrison, the new 
 Governor General, communicated to the Filipino people the following 
 message from President Wilson : 
 
 “ We regard ourselves as trustees, acting not for the advantage of 
 the United States, but for the benefit of the people of the Philippine 
 Islands. Every step we take will be taken with a view to the ultimate 
 independence of the islands and as a preparation for that independence. 
 And we hope to move toward that end as rapidly as the safety and 
 the permament interests of the islands will permit. After each step 
 taken experience will guide us to the next.” (Oct. 6, 1913.) 
 
 On the occasion of the change in the Philippine Commission, which 
 acted as the upper house of the legislature, the Filipinos were givep an 
 effective majority in both houses, and in accordance with the new 
 policy, that in the administration of affairs in the Philippines America 
 desired not her own counsel, but the counsel of the Filipinos, the Fili- 
 pinization of the service was accelerated and other administrative meas- 
 ures were adopted to extend the popular control in the government. 
 Finally, maintaining all the progress made and emphasizing the steps 
 122370— 194S9 
 
40 
 
 toward independence, frankly announced by President Wilson, the Con- 
 gress of the United States approved the new organic law for the Philip- 
 pines of August 20, 1010, which formally promises the Filipinos their 
 independence and grants them a more nutonomous government. Thus 
 the burden of the international responsibilities assumed by the United 
 States by virtue of the treaty of Paris passed in effect to the hands of 
 the Filipino people, and a pact was virtually consummated between 
 America and the Philippines, analogous to that established between 
 America and Cuba by the passage of the Teller resolution, which led to 
 the war between America and Spain and publicly defined America’s 
 purpose .at that time. 
 
 During this period of confident waiting, when our attitude was one 
 of mere cooperation as well as when we assumed the new powers con- 
 ferred by the Jones law, the commission of independence will find 
 throughout the entire record of over 20 years positive facts demon- 
 strating our full capacity for national independence and self-government. 
 In the plan of a general free education and of sanitary improvements ; 
 in the vast public-works program with respect to roads and bridges, 
 public buildings, and irrigation systems; in the fostering of agriculture, 
 industry, ami commerce, including the provision of banking facilities, 
 port improvements, and an adequate system of transportation by land 
 and sea ; in the establishment of an efficient civil service and an inde- 
 pendent judiciary; in the constant development of self-government in 
 the local organizations and the central government and in the adoption 
 of measures for the free and orderly exercise of the popular suffrage ; 
 in the exercise, in fine, of all the political powers intrusted to us no- 
 effort has been spared to promote the public good. Any unprejudiced 
 critic will find after an Impartial examination that we have success- 
 fully created a condition which demonstrates that the Filipino people, 
 in managing their own affairs, can maintain law and order and afford 
 equal protection to all, whether foreigners or nationals. 
 
 Despite the party struggles that precede the elections, particularly 
 those that attended the first general election held on the occasion of 
 the inauguration of the Philippine Assembly, the work of that body 
 and that of the present purely elective legislature which succeeded it 
 show that there exists in these islands a strong and complete national 
 unity which places general interests above petty local partisanships. 
 In' our budget system, successfully implanted since both houses became 
 elective, no costly extravagance, local selfishness, or “ log-rolling ” and 
 “ pork-barrel ” practices find any place. Our financial system and the 
 appearance of cabinet members before the houses of the legislature 
 have effected a coordination of forces and leadership which has pro- 
 moted the efficiency of the administration and assured its responsibility 
 to the people. The stability of the present Government, managed 
 almost entirely by Filipinos, has been put to a test not only by the 
 extension of its authority to all the remote districts of the islands 
 inhabitated by Mohammedans and other non-Christian Filipinos, where, 
 as in the rest of the country, there now reigns perfect order maintained 
 by civil officers, but also by the uninterrupted maintenance of a com- 
 plete state of peace, order, and security during the recent war which 
 devastated the fields of Europe and sowed the seed of restlessness and 
 discontent throughout the world. 
 
 As an evidence of the appreciation of the high purposes and disin- 
 terested work of the Americans who have aided the Filipinos, all useful 
 public institutions in existence at the inauguration of the Philippine 
 Assembly in 1907 have been preserved and perfected. Notwithstanding 
 the policy of F^lipinization implanted by President McKinley, no Ameri- 
 can employee in sympathy with this country and with the common 
 work carried on has been retired from the service against his will and 
 without an equitable compensation. It must be a source of legitimate 
 
 g ride and satisfaction to every American to know that the noble and 
 umanitarian purposes expressed by President McKinley and his suc- 
 cessors in their instructions, messages, and other official documents as 
 the reason for American occupation has been successfully attained by 
 the united and harmonious effort of Americans and Filipinos. 
 
 Now, in applying the principles enunciated in documents and utter- 
 ances on the Philippines to the conditions now existing in the islands, 
 the independence mission will find the following facts : 
 
 That there exist at present in the Philippine Islands the conditions 
 of order and government which America has for nearly a century and a 
 half required in ail cases in which she has recognized the independence 
 of a country or the establishment of a new government, not even 
 excepting the case of the government of Gen. Huerta in Mexico, which 
 she refused to recognize because it was stained with blood and estab- 
 lished through intrigue, deceit, and crime. 
 
 122370— 194S9 
 
 / 
 
41 
 
 That there exist likewise in the Philippines all the conditions of 
 stability and guaranties for law and order that Cuba had to establish 
 to the satisfaction of America in order to obtain her independence, or 
 to preserve it, during the military occupation of 189S-1902 and during 
 the intervention of 1906-1909, respectively. 
 
 That the “ preparation for independence ” and the “ stable govern- 
 ment ” required by President Wilson and the Congress of the United 
 States, respectively, contain no new requisite not included in any of 
 the cases above cited. 
 
 That these prerequisites for Philippine independence are the same 
 as those virtually or expressly established by the Republican administra- 
 tions that preceded President Wilson’s admirystration. 
 
 That during the entire time that the Filipino people have been with 
 America they have been living in the confidence that the American occu- 
 pation was only temporary, and that its final aim \yas not aggrandize- 
 ment or conquest, but the peace, welfare, and liberty of the Filipino 
 people. 
 
 That this faith in the promises of America was a cardinal factor, 
 not only in the cooperation between Americans and Filipinos during the 
 years of peace but also in the cooperation between Americans and Fili- 
 pinos during the late war ; 
 
 That the condition of thorough development of the internal affairs 
 of the country and the present international atmosphere of justice, 
 liberty, and security for all peoples are the most propitious for the 
 fulfillment by America of her promises and for her redemption of the 
 pledges she has made before the world. 
 
 In the light ,of these facts and considerations the Filipino people are 
 confident that it will be possible to arrive at a satisfactory final de- 
 cision, as we deal no longer with a disputed question but are merely 
 endeavoring to agree upon the final adjustment of a matter with regard 
 to which, according to President Wilson’s words, there exists, so far 
 as fundamentals are concerned, “ a perfect harmony of ideals and feel- 
 ings ” between the Govertiments of the United States and of the Philip- 
 pine Islands, which harmony has brought about “ that read friendship 
 and mutual support which is the foundation of all sound political 
 policy.” (Nov. 29, 1918.) 
 
 Therefore, so far as it is humanly possible to judge and say, wc can 
 see only one aim for the commission of independence : Independence ; 
 and v^e can give only one instruction : To get it. Thus America, in 
 adding another glory to her banner by establishing the first really 
 democratic republic in the East, will apply a second time, generously 
 and freely, the same measure of humanity and justice that she applied 
 In the case of Ufiba, which is but a logical and natural sequence of the 
 immorta' principles of the Declaration of Independence. This declara- 
 tion. which belongs to all 'humanity, has now as much force as it had 
 in the days when America proclaimed it. America will thus vindicate 
 the memory of PresidentvMcKinley, to whom the “ forcible annexation ” 
 of peoples meant “ criminal hggression,” and who upon taking over 
 the Philippines “ for high duty in the interest of their inhabitants and 
 for humanity and civilization,” solemnly said : “ Our sacrifices were 
 with this high motive. We want to improve the condition of the in- 
 habitants, securing them peace, liberty, and the pursuit of their highest 
 good.” 
 
 Thus finally America will carry out tfie efforts and assurances of 
 President Wilson when, upon the signing of the armistice, he said to 
 the Filipinos : “ I hope and believe that the future holds brighter hope 
 for the States which have heretofore been the prey of great powers 
 and will realize for all the world the offers of justice and peace which 
 have prompted the magnificent cooperation of the present war ” (Nov. 
 29, 1918). 
 
 The Filipinos will thus have a better opportunity to demonstrate 
 how deeply rooted is their gratitude for America when, after her vol- 
 untary withdrawal from these islands, we preserve here the immortal 
 spirit of her democratic institutions and associate with her in her 
 future enterprises of justice 'anti peace in carrying to the darkest cor- 
 ners of the earth, -which lack happiness because their people do not 
 control their own destinies, the quickening flame of justice, democracy, 
 and liberty. 
 
 122370—19480 
 
42 
 
 ' Appendix B. 
 
 Instructions from the Commission of Independence to the Philippine 
 
 Mission. 
 
 Manila, P. I., March n, 1919. 
 
 By-authority of the Philippine Legislature, and acting under its in- 
 structionsj the Commission of Independence has resolved that the fol- 
 lowing statement be sent to the Philippine Mission : 
 
 The Philippine Mission will please convey to the Government of the 
 United States the frankest assurance of the good will, friendship, and 
 gratitude of the Filipino people, and submit with as much respect as 
 confidence the question of Philippine independence, with a view to its 
 final settlement. The attention of the Government of the United States 
 is respectfully invited to the summary of facts and propositions con- 
 sidered In the declaration of purposes approved by the Philippine Legis- 
 lature on March 8, 1919. « 
 
 It i3 singularly fortunate for the Philippine nation that there seems 
 to be no controversy concerning either the pertinent principles or the 
 capital facts of the matter. The Filipinos venture to believe that all 
 that is necessary is a frank exchange of views in order to arrive in a 
 prompt and satisfactory manner at a definite adjustment of details which 
 will result in the complete and final execution of the plans outlined 
 in accordance with the principles already established and agreed upon. 
 
 It is well known that these principles are 'so old that many of them, 
 and one may even say all of them, already found faithful expression 
 in the immortal days of 1770, when in the New World a people smaller 
 and with less resources than the Filipino people entered upon the 
 fearless undertaking of establishing a new government founded upon 
 the proposition that its just powers were derived not from the will 
 of monarchs but from the consent of the governed. It was not the first 
 time that a people threw off the vokc of a foreign Government, but it 
 was the first case in which a people dissatisfied with the political bonds 
 which had connected them with their forme* sovereign, invoking the 
 laws of God and nature, established the principles of liberty and justice 
 not only for themselves but also for the other subject 'peoples of the 
 world. > 
 
 Having lived for over two decades side by side with the people of 
 the United Slates, the Filipino people have become convinced that those 
 principles are now as real and powerful as in the days when they were 
 enunciated. Although it has not been possible to avoid certain isolated 
 expressions made in apparent violation of those principles, yet it can 
 not be denied that the only authorized declarations regarding the 
 American policy in these islands have been specific and definite, and 
 having been reiterated from time to time have led the Filipino people 
 to believe, as they have with good reason believed, that the purposes 
 of America were not of domination or self-aggrandizement, but of 
 altruism, humanity, and liberty. 
 
 On the basis of this understanding the attitude of the Filipinos has 
 been one of confident waiting. Busily engaged in the reconstruction 
 that necessarily followed the war, as well as in the reaffirmation of 
 their personality, the Filipino people have successfully- exercised the 
 political powers conferred upon them, first giving their loyal and 
 peaceful cooperation, and subsequently assuming an almost complete 
 control of their internal affairs. Their national record of over 20 
 years, from the first day of American occupation until the present, is 
 an open book, and is now unhesitatingly submitted to the examinaion 
 and criticism of the world. 
 
 Moreover, the triumph of democracy in the moral and political evolu- 
 tion of human institutions through the recent war has infused new life 
 into the principles enunciated in 1776, and in fact has confirmed and 
 ratified the promises of 1916. The Filipino people, seeing their own 
 cause involved in the cause of the United States in that war, gave their 
 support to the same. They not only placed all their modest energies 
 and resources at the service of Ameria, but in the spirit of a real and 
 active community of ideals and • interests they resolutely assumed the 
 international responsibilities of that country in the Philippines. It 
 will not be amis to say now that during all that time of commotion 
 and- restlessness the public order was maintained here as perfectly 
 as in the preceding years, and the American flag continued to float 
 undisturbed, not because it was supported by a military force, of which 
 there was hardly any, but because of the loyal and vigilant allegiance 
 of the Filipinos. 
 
 Now that the war is over and the world is engaged in the application 
 of the principles that have come out triumphant from it ; now that the 
 122370 — 19489 
 
43 
 
 Filipino people have met the tests to which their capacity has been 
 submitted, can it be deemed inopportune or ill-advised for them to sub- 
 mit the pending question to the United States or to any other compe- 
 tent tribunal of the fforld for its final adjustment? The problem being 
 so varied in its aspects, the Filipino people will Welcome an opportunity 
 to discuss the terms of the concession of independence and the scope 
 of the covenants necessary for the guaranty, safety, and stability of the 
 new State and for the establishment and maintenance of such external 
 relations, especially with America, as may be equitable and beneficial and 
 as the circumstances may demand. In this respect they are guided by 
 the spirit of the steps previously taken with the Government of the 
 United States, especially by reason of the mutual understanding and 
 benefit that were taken into account when the independence bill of 1914 
 'was drafted. Inasmuch as the situation of the international affairs has 
 been altered by the irresistible force of tyie principles consecrated by 
 the recent war, it is evident that the plan contained in that bill can not 
 be carried into effect without certain suitable revisions. One of them is 
 that, inasmuch as the Filipino people believe in the efficacy of a general 
 concert of responsible powers established for the common cause of jus- 
 tice and the preservation of the peace of the world, they would be ready 
 to agree to any arrangement by which the Philippines would be enabled 
 to participate in the concert as soon as possible. 
 
 The Filipino people would not be just to themselves if at this moment, 
 when their political separation from the sovereign country is being 
 urged, they should fail to express in the clearest and most definite man- 
 ner the sentiments and purposes that inspire their action. They there- 
 fore deem it their duty to affirm : That independence, instead of destroy- 
 ing or weakening, will strengthen the bonds of friendship and apprecia- 
 tion arising from the gratitude of the Filipino people not only for the 
 final measure of complete justice and humanity that they confidently 
 expect, but for all the previous disinterested' work so splendidly per- 
 formed for the benefit of the Philippines by so many faithful sons and 
 daughters of America ; that this gratitude will be the fundamental factor 
 in the future relations between the United States -and the Philippine 
 Islands ; that in the present state of the international affairs the Fili- 
 pino people merely aspire to become another conscious and direct in- 
 strument for the progress of liberty and civilization ; that in the tran- 
 quil course of their years of constitutional development they will main- 
 tain for all people inhabiting their hospitable land the essence and bene- 
 fit of democratic institutions ; that they will continue to associate^ in 
 so far as this will be acceptable and their strength will permit, in the 
 work of reconstruction, justice, and peace carried on by the United' 
 States in continuation of those other undertakings, the high purpose of 
 which was the cause, according to President Wilson, “ of the magnifi- 
 cent cooperation during the war ” between the American and Filipino 
 peoples ; and, finally, that in thus preserving their best traditions and 
 institutions in the new situation which will strengthen and perfedf them, 
 the Filipino people will continue to make this country, as heretofore, a 
 place of law and order, justice and liolrty, where Americans and for- 
 eigners, as well as nationals, may live peacefully in the pursuit of happi- 
 ness and prosperity and safe in the enjoyment of their property as well 
 as of their rights and their liberty. 
 
 Sergio Osmena, 
 
 Speaker House of Representatives. 
 
 . Espiridion Gdanco, 
 
 * Acting President Philippine Senate. 
 
 122370—19489 
 
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