And in his autobiography Mr. Roosevelt remarked:
“As regards the Philippines my belief was that we should train them for self-government as rapidly as possible and leave them free to decide their own fate.”
On October 6, 1913, President Wilson, in a message for the Filipino people, formulated America’s policy thus:
“We regard ourselves as trustees 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 ultimate independence of the Islands and as a preparation for that independence.”
THE JONES LAW.—All these official declarations at last found Congressional sanction and expression in the Jones Law passed in 1916 which in the opinion of the author, Congressman William Atkinson Jones, is “the everlasting covenant of a great and generous people speaking through their accredited representatives that they (the Filipinos) shall in due time enjoy the incomparable blessings of liberty and freedom.” The preamble of the Law reads:
“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 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 the 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 right of sovereignty by the people of the United States in order that by the use and exercise of popular franchise and government powers they may be better prepared to fully assume the responsibilities and enjoy all the privileges of complete independence;
“Therefore.…”
This law is the first formal pronouncement of the American people, through their accredited representatives, on the purpose of the United States as regards the Philippine Islands. It is the formal pledge that Independence will be granted. The only condition required is that a stable government be first established in the Islands.
Executive recommendation for the fulfillment of America’s promise.—That there is now such a stable government in the Islands is the claim of the Filipinos, and America is being asked to perform her part of the covenant. In this claim of theirs, the Filipinos are supported by the official representatives of the American people themselves.
In his last message to Congress, December 2, 1920, President Wilson made this recommendation: