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.

12 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

A similar policy was followed in the Philippine Islands.
On account of the economic development of the Philippines,
our production has increased considerably and our exports and
imports have multiplied almost beyond imagination. Nevertheless, our spirit of nationalism has intensified and we are
demanding our liberty more strenuously than ever.
Another means employed to hinder the growth of nationalism is by making liberal political concessions. In Egypt we
saw that the British granted her more concessions by creating
a legislative assembly with greater powers. The Egyptians,
far from being satisfied with it, in the very first meeting of the
assembly, showed a strong nationalist hostility to British domination. So in the Philippines, legislation like the Jones
law which no doubt gave us a more autonomous government,
did not in the least dampen the fervor for nationalistic ideals.
At times the imperialistic nations endeavored to smother
nationalism through sheer brutality and by causing war among
the inhabitants. In India, for instance, at Amritsar, several
hundred unarmed civilians who were in a lawful pursuit of
their rights, were massacred, mowed down with machine guns
by an English general with the avowed purpose of cowing the
Indians to submission. In Egypt, England once ruled with a
strong hand to suppress the nationalist agitation. The famous
General Allenby was sent as High Commissioner to prevent
the ominous unrest of Egypt from developing into a seething,
sweeping rebellion. In Java those who showed enough
courage to speak in favor of the liberation of their country
were promptly arrested and imprisoned. In the Philippines,
the greatest man that our race has ever produced, Dr. Rizal,
was shot in order to stop further revolutionary movements.
Nevertheless, Egypt continued fighting for her liberty with
undaunted energy and succeeded in getting it. India, under
the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, is now conducting a most
amazing campaign for independence, never before equalled in
history. Java is still in lethargy, but like a volcano, may
burst any time. In the Philippines, all national elements are
now welding themselves into a strong organization to make
our campaign more effective. Nationalism, like liberty, is not