Speech #720189994

I make this statement not on my own authority but on the measured testimony of naval officers who have said in the hearings on the London naval treaty. that in the event of war in the Orient we would be forced to abandon the Philippine Islands and it would take us two years to win them back. This statement in itself should cause us to pause and not agree with those who are deluding themselves in the theory that the islands are the outposts of our national defense. The President in his message this morning stated that Philippine immigration should be restricted at once. Mr. Speaker. this Congress or any other Congress that succeeds it. will not restrict immigration from the Philippine Islands as long as we hold dominion over them unless such restriction is included in a bill granting them their independence. such as this bill which has been vetoed by the President. Now. what has every other President. commencing with President McKinley. said in reference to this very question of Philippine independence? At the outset of our occupation of the Philippine Islands in 1898 President McKinley proclaimed the purpose of their acquisition and forecast their destiny: The Philippines are oursHe saidnot to exploit but to develop. to civilize. to educate. to train in the science of selfgovernment.