Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

MINDANAO AND MOUNTAIN PROVINCE 279

people. Yet, whether we wish it or not, whether they wish
it or not, they and we are racially the same, have to live
together in these sea-girt islands, and share one common destiny.
We must be careful in our dealings with them. The average
Datu is very proud and very sensitive. He resents being looked
upon as inferior. If we go to the Moro country and say that
our object is to help the Moro people because they are backward,
or they do not know how to help themselves, we are likely
to provoke resentment. We must try to deal with the Moro
just the same as we deal with any other man, taking into consideration his lack of the opportunities or advantages which the
Christian Filipinos have had.
Upon the old social and political system in Moroland resulting from a vague and incoherent Mohammedanism and permitting the exploitation of the sacops by the chieftains, we have
established the present government which is fundamentally the
same as the government established in the' regularly organized
provinces. It involves the policy of gradually bringing all the
provinces of the Philippines together under a common political
institution. As such government goes ahead maintaining law
and order, promoting the occupation and cultivation of vacant
public lands, constructing means of communication, and extending more and more the present educational system which is
a very effective means of breaking down old barriers and of
creating the spirit of understanding and harmony, we will see
the improvement of conditions which we all desire and the
so-called Moro problem, through peace, industry, education,
patience and justice, will solve itself. It will take time, but
it will come.
After Director Hidrosollo the following also took
the floor and told the Congressmen of their feelings
with regard to the independence question:
DATU MANDI: He said that before, he was one of
those Moros who opposed independence, that he
headed a movement against our national aspirations