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.

26 INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

negotiation still pending, there happened a change of administration in the United States and an investigating mission was
sent here. We had a new governor-general. There was created
a tremendous reactionary campaign in Washington for the
purpose of withdrawing the little concessions of autonomy
which the previous administration had given us. The threat
went still further. At the botton, the blow was not only
aimed against autonomy, but also against the promise of independence. Our work was necessarily weakened, because
we had to fight first against the reactionary movement, which
threatened the freedom already obtained. I do not need to go
into details that are still fresh in your memory.
We have stopped the blow and regained what we had lost.
We come back to reorganize our forces, to renew the campaign. But another battle issued forth, this time against the
economic elements which demanded the abolishment of free
trade and asked for the imposition of the tariff on our products or the limitation of the importation in America. Again,
with the help of the American spirit of justice, we successfully
repelled the aggression. And these economic elements, defeated
on their own ground by our men, have caused the increase of
friends of our independence. As they represent vast economic
interests, and have for this reason ample means to be heard,
they agitated American opinion and for some time it looked
as if our great obstacle for independence, the indifference of
American public opinion which is constantly absorbed by
problems much more urgent and vital, has been conquered.
All our friends took the opportunity to urge Congress for a
final solution. Various independence bills were presented in
the House of Congress. In the Senate the King Bill has
attracted the attention of the Committee on Territories and
Insular Possessions, about which bill, are being made prolonged
hearings. Valuable opinions in favor of the Philippines have
been expressed inside and outside of Congress.
Such events gave rise to great optimism. Many believed
that independence was well nigh approaching. The more
cautious men have warned us, however, at one time or other,
that we should not be too optimistic; that the discussion of