Screen Mirror (Jun 1930 - Mar 1931)

Philippine Independence Before Filipino Exclusion The following excerpts from a recent address by Dr. H. C. Moncado, President of the Filipino Federation of America, reveal the attitude of many of America’s foremost men toward Philippine Independence: DR. HILARIO CAMINO MONCADO A. M„ LI. B., LL. M„ LL. D "The Philippines were retained by the United States as a result of the war with Spain; but the understanding has been clear at all times That such retention was not to be permanent, and that they were to be released and allowed to establish their own sovereignty, this understanding was later ratified in a solemn pact and promise, as set out in an act passed by the Congress of the United States in the year 1916, known as the JONES ACT.” • “1 — WHEREAS, it was never the intention of the people of the United States in the inception of the war with Spain to make a war of conquest or for territorial aggrandizement,” and “ — WHEREAS, it is, as it always has been, the purpose of the people of the United States to withdraw their sovereignty over the Philippine Islands and to recognize their independence as soon as stable government can be established therein, and “3 — WHEREAS, for the speedy accomplishment of such purpose it is desirous 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 of the people of the United States, in order that, by the use and exercises 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.” "That venerable and wise man, the former president of Harvard, PROFESSOR ELIOT has well said; • 'Political freedom means freedom to be feeble, foolish and sinful in public affairs, as well as freedom to be strong, wise and good." and this is true of all freedom, individual or political. “Another great educator, DAVID P. BARROW, former president of the University of California, and former Director of Education in the Philippines in speaking of Filipino Independence, says: • The stability of no Government can be perpetually guaranteed or completely assured. 'The Filipinos are able to point out a record of 20 years of remarkable progress, and to a legislative record not inferior to that of many countries of far older political experience.’ “Another great American, perhaps one of the greatest, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, says as to Filipino Independence; • 'Personally I think it is a fine and high thing for a nation to have done such a deed ( America’s work in the Philippines ) with such a purpose. But we can not taint it with bad faith, if we have acted so that the natives understand us to have made a definite promise, then toe should live up to that promise. The Philippines from a military standpoint are a source of weakness to us. The present administration has promised emphatically 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 guarantee what ever by us, and without our retaining any foothold in them.’ Governor General Harrison in his official annual reports for the years 19181919-1920 as Governor General of the Philippines emphatically and unequivocally stated; • ‘That the Filipinos have established stable Government as set forth and required by the Jones Law, and are now, therefore, entitled to their independence.’ That great humanitarian, that noble soul, WOODROW WILSON in his message to Congress in the year 1920 states: • 'The Filipinos have fulfilled alt conditions, they are now ready for independence, it is our duty to keep our promise and give it to them.’ President HARDING has also borne witness in behalf of the Filipino people and declared: • The Filipino progress is without parallel anywhere in the World. The WOODS-FORBE MISSION sent to investigate and report on the conditions in the islands reported: • No people under the friendly tutelage of another, have made so great a progress in so short a time.' Former Governor General CURRY after his return from the Philippines, speaking of the justice of the aspirations and demands of the Filipino declared: • The Government which the Filipinos will establish may not be approved by the ordinary American citizen, but it will suit the Filipinos themselves’ “I maintain that the Philippine Islands are entitled to IMMEDIATE, ABSOLUTE and UNCONDITIONAL INDEPENDENCE, that it has never been the intention of the people of the United States to retain sovereignty over them, the utterances of the great Americans I have quoted clearly bear this out.”