Lindley M. Garrison to Woodrow Wilson

I have just had the pleasure of a long interview with Bishop Brent, whom I met for the first time this afternoon. It was very gratifying to me, as a result of my talk with him, to find that the suggestion which I made to you of the character and extent of our next step in the Philippines, not only met with the approval of his thoroughly informed mind, but that he had independently reached practically the same conclusion, and to some extent had expressed it to you in the interview he had with you the other day. He told me that the only practical difference between the suggestion that he had made to you, and the one which I told him I had made to you, was in two particulars.

He suggested that a veto power be lodged in some council. I pointed out to him that under existing legislation there was almost no question that such a veto power was now lodged in the Secretary of War; and he expressed himself as entirely satisfied with that. His other suggestion was that the legislative situation be altered by giving the Philippines a Senate. My proposition, as you know, was to not alter the existing government as to form, but to accomplish the same purpose by giving them a majority of the council. When I pointed out to him that his plan would require us to go to Congress, whereas my plan would not, he immediately concurred in the view that it would be very unwise to embark on legislation until legislation was necessary. No legislation being necessary in my proposal, he expressed himself as satisfied what we should work along that line.

He left me to go and have an interview with Mr. Quezon, having an appointment with him. He returned and has just left me. His talk with Mr. Quezon was confidential, and he promised not to reveal it. He felt at liberty, however, to say to me that he thought that if the plan which I had outlined to him were carried out, it would satisfy Mr. Quezon as the best thing to do at the present time, and would satisfy the Philippine people at the present time. He thought that we should get to it as soon as we could practically.

I think that it would be very useful if you and I could have a talk, uninterrupted by other engagements, and preferably in the evening when you would not be subject to other calls. I do feel that we ought to settle on our policy definitely and begin the framing of it and the putting of it into operation.

May I ask you to bear this in mind and look out for an opportunity to make such an appointment for me?