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Show I r ' I !! PHILIPPINE QUESTION. I ' Maximo M. Kalaw, secretary of tho , ( Philippine mission, has addressed a I communication to The Standard in ;jvhlch he cites the reasons why the IlUnited States should grant independence independ-ence to the is'lands. He declares that St'Uncrlca through congress promised independence as soon as a stable gov-i gov-i C Jernment was established. He says the Filipinos have performed their side of IJhP contract and have set up a stablo J government and he asks: "Has it not , 'therefore come for the United States j i -to live up to her part of the agree-J agree-J i rment?" He goes on: It "The Philippine question Is no long- I jjer a question of argument or supposl- II' I i;tion. Heretofore, the opponents of in- j j dependence, to support their pica, ' ;;have misrepresented the Filipino people, peo-ple, painting them in the darkest of j1 j "colors, ridiculing their characteristics, ,j jlexploiting their supposed Ignorance, ' j;and exaggerating their vices and short- ( JJcomings. The advocates of independ- i once, on tho other hand, have takon 'i ' 5 Jtlic other side, have painted the bright- j 1 er aspects of Philippine life, and have1 i jshowndeep appreciation of the prog-1 1 I"ress they have made. I ii "The Philippine question has fortu- J Innately outgrown that hateful phase JiMud-slinging has no place in the pres- ) tTnt discussion of the Philippine prob- i lera.. To the Philippine mind at least, It Is now a question of whether the ' United States Is ready to discharge its ijv own obligations fully and completely. ' "' "The Filipino people cannot see ho If America can do Iss, and they have j faith in the American people. Thoy know 'that America's word is America's Amer-ica's bond. "Vet thero are those who still misunderstand mis-understand the attitude of the Filipino Fili-pino people. They still claim that the agitation for Independence is done simply sim-ply by some noisy politicians. Thoy forget that the missions which com here are duly accredited representatives representa-tives of tho Filipino people a people that speak through the government established es-tablished under American supervision; a people who, under the auspices of the American flag, have been allowed to elect a native congress and to tales over the functions of government, leaving In the words of the secretary of war, "only the tenuous connection of the governor general." "The Philippine government represents repre-sents the entire people, both Christians Chris-tians and non-Christians. If there Is any doubt as to whether the people really supported the government which sent the Philippine mission last year, that doubt was dispelled by the last elections which returned the party par-ty in power with an Increased majority. major-ity. "Nor should it be said that the minority mi-nority is not in favor of the attltudn taken by the .majority. If anything, the minority is more radical and always al-ways charges tho majority with not. working hard enough for independence. independ-ence. The minority party was represented repre-sented in the Philippine mission which came here last year. "Tho Filipino people, through their representatives, are now anxious to I discuss with the American .government .govern-ment the final terms and conditions -if I the promised independence. They havr no grudge or grievance against tho American people. Theirs Is a message of friendship and gratitude. They seek Independence as the natural and logical-outcome of America's policy in the islands and of America's promise to them. They come willing to give privileges priv-ileges and concessions not incompatible incompat-ible with their -welfare, " 'Gratitude,' said the Philippine legislature, leg-islature, 'is the first fundamental fact in the future relations between thy I United States and the Philippines.' Still the Filipino people would ftccept whatever responsibilities they may have to shoulder after their separation from the United States. Smaller nations, na-tions, beset by graver problems and dangers, have taken a more hazardous chance at freedom. "Tho Filipino people are willing to take their chance." |