the mines, the fisheries, and the fertile land, if developed, would make the Philippines a wealthy country. But as it is, many of these resources have not been developed, especially by the Filipinos. If the land and natural resources of the Philippines could be utilized as they are in Japan and Java, the Philippines would support many more people and would be a much more powerful country.

Every effort, therefore, should be put forth by Filipinos to assist in making the Philippines independent, not only politically, but economically.

210. Political Independence.—The Filipino people have another ideal. They cherish the noble ideal of becoming in the near future one of the free and independent nations of the world.

For many years independence has been the predominant thought in the minds of the Filipino people. Said General Aguinaldo in 1897: "We aspire to the glory of obtaining the liberty, independence, and honor of our country." It was to secure their independence that the Filipinos tried, in the years 1896-1898, to drive out the Spanish forces from the Islands. It was also for this reason that the Filipino-American war was fought.

After the complete restoration of peace in the Philippines, the people did not forget their ideal of independence. When they elected delegates to the First Philippine Assembly in 1907, that body reaffirmed the supreme desire of the people to be independent. On the closing of that First Assembly, Speaker Osmeña very eloquently said: "Permit me, gentlemen of the Chamber, to declare solemnly before God and before the world, upon

my conscience as a deputy and representative of my compatriots, and under my responsibility as President of this Chamber, that we believe ourselves capable of leading an orderly existence, efficient both in internal and external affairs, as a member of the free and civilized nations."

That beautiful sentiment has found an echo in every Filipino heart.

This ideal of Philippine independence has been communicated to the American people by means of speeches, articles in magazines, and books. The man who did much to acquaint the American people with this desire of the Filipinos was Manuel L. Quezon, now President of the Philippine Senate. When the American people became convinced of the justice of the request of the Filipinos, they made the solemn promise, through their Congress, that as soon as the Filipinos can establish a stable government, independence shall be granted them. That promise is contained in the Jones Law.

Since then two independence missions have visited the United States and have asked the President and the Congress to redeem the promise in the Jones Law and to declare the Philippines independent. A permanent body, headed by Hon. Teodoro M. Kalaw, is now in charge of this great work for independence.

The Filipinos must show the world that they can establish a good and stable government.

In order that the Filipino people may take their place among the free nations of the world, you must do your part.

"Our liberty must be secured by making ourselves worthy of it, by exalting the intelligence and the dignity of the individual, and by loving justice, right, and greatness, even to the extent of dying for them."-Rizal.

1. How can you practice the principles studied in this.

book? Explain.

2. Give two ideals of the Filipino people.

3. How can economic independence be attained?

4. What is your most cherished ideal?

5. What two wars were fought to secure independence? 6. What stand did the First Philippine Assembly take on independence? Can you repeat Speaker Osmeña's words about independence?

7. What man did the most to acquaint the American people with the desire of the Filipinos for independence? In what law is independence promised? What does this law say about independence?

8. How have the Filipinos recently presented their desires to the President and the Congress?

9. How can you assist in obtaining independence? 10. What did Rizal say about liberty?

APPENDIX

THE JONES LAW

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 ISLANDS, AND TO PROVIDE A MORE AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT FOR THOSE ISLANDS.

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 conquest or for territorial aggrandizement; and

Whereas it is, as it has always 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 a stable government 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: Therefore

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of this Act and the name "The Philippines" as used in this Act shall apply to and include the Philippine Islands ceded to the United States Government

who were Spanish subjects on the eleventh day of April, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, and then resided in said islands, and their children born subsequent thereto, shall be deemed and held to be citizens of the Philippine Islands, except such as shall have elected to preserve their allegiance to the Crown of Spain in accordance with the pro of the treaty of peace between the United States and signed at Paris December tenth, eighteen hundred and ninetyeight, and except such others as have since become citizens of some other country: Provided, That the Philippine Legislature, herein provided for, is hereby authorized to provide by law for the acquisition of Philippine citizenship by those natives of the Philippine Islands who do not come the foregoing provisions, the natives of the insular possessions of the United States, and such other persons residing in the Philippine Islands who are citizens of the States, or who could become citizens of the United States under the laws of the United States if residing therein. SEC. 3. That no law shall be enacted in said islands wh shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property with due process of law, or deny to any person therein the ec

for public use without just compensation.

protection of the laws. Private property shall not be tak the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to demand the That in all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy ure and cause of the accusation against him, to have a and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face,

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