Show GOVI GOV SENERA GENERAL OF philippines FOR FREEDOM declares it not no right that freedom should longer be withheld by FRANCIS BARTON HARRISON governor general of the philippines philippine first article my six years experience peri ence as gov arnor general of the philippine islands have convinced me that the filipino people TB are ready and fit to have their independence pen dence I 1 have recommended t to 0 congress as well as to the executive a d dm in I 1 in n I 1 1 s ration that independence gov gen harrison be granted As to the question of the stability ot of governments government I 1 wish to say to the american people upon my responsibility as s the governor general that in my op opinion anion there exists today in the philippine islands a stable government which I 1 think should answer the requirements quire ments laid down by presidents grant and Alc mckenley Kinley and as I 1 understand it also by mr root namely a government overn ment elected by the suffrage of 0 the rie people which Is supported by the people which Is capable of 0 maintaining order and of fulfilling its international obligations I 1 am very glad to so go on record as be ing entirely in sympathy with the ai aspirations pi rations of the filipino nation for independence ape n de ce 1 I have recommended to congress that in granting independence some BOB provision be made similar to what Is I 1 known as the platt amendment in the th treaty with cuba which restricts restrict the ability of the I 1 new republic in borrowing of foreign governments and also permits the united states to interfere with the affairs of the tha new republic in cize case conditions of disorder should be ba found to prevail such soch recommendation does not come as an expression of the views of the filipinos it is my own view of what would bi be desirable to secure a feeling of confidence and satisfaction on the part of all persons who have already invested money in the philippines or who contemplate doing so in the near future but it Is not right that independence ie itself should longer be delayed by temperament by experience by financial ability in every way the filipinos are entitled to be tree free from every government except of their own choice they are intelligent enough to decide for themselves 1 I have found the native filipino official to be honest efficient and as capable of administering executive positions as any men I 1 have met anywhere in the world these officials are today governing 1000 municipalities and forty two provinces economically efficiently and tor for the good of the entire people they have a native congress including many graduates of balej tale princeton harvard and other Ameri american clia universities other members are graduates of santo tomas and other philippine universities and in education and and ability they compare favorably with any I 1 know they have leaders like speaker of the house of representatives and president beezon of the senate who would adom ador wany anny office the philippines are away ahead of the united states in successful government ownership and operation ot of public utilities the government took hold of the tha steam railways and made them pay a profit of pesos apesos a year more than under private ownership it took hold og of the highways and we have miles of the best beat nine mac adami zed roads in the world the manila city government Is about to take over the street railways and the gas and electric plants while the territorial ri rit orial tortal government Is arranging for ownership and control of the coal supply 1 1 V the movement for independence la is a peaceful one no territory was more loyal to uncle sam during daring the war it offered an armed and equipped division to our government gave it a submarine destroyer and oversubscribed liberty loans and red bed cross funds two million natives speak english fluently and there ire are english speaking children in the public schools I 1 am more than yv willing illing to retire it if the can be granted what they deserve a government like ilka that ot of tho the united states |