"To the favorable international atmosphere may be added the fact that the first of colonial powers is already reversing her former policies. She has granted recognition of freedom and equality to peoples hitherto held as subjects and vassals. Egypt has regained her independence. The Irish people have been asked to enter into an agreement with England, looking to the establishment of a free state. Liberal institutions are now being established in India. TRIUMPH OF AMERICAN IDEALS "We see in all these events the gradual triumph of American ideals, especially of that fundamental American principle that declares that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. "Hence we come to America in the full expectation that the United States can do no less than other nations have done to their dependencies; that she cannot now refrain from practicing those principles which were initiated by her and followed by her sister nations; that she cannot now refuse specific realization of those purposes and ideals, which found eloquent expression in her spokesmen both in times of war and in times of peaceful reconstruction; and that she will make the Filipino people a determining factor in the relationship that should exist between the United States and the only unincorporated and subject country now under the American flag. MISSION HAS FULL POWERS "We, therefore, submit our case, with faith and confidence, frankly and without evasion. It is the case of the Filipino people whom in fact and in law we represent, for certainly under the present circumstances no other agency can speak or act with as much authority on what the Filipino people want or on Philippine conditions in general, as their duly accredited representatives. That is the very essence of representative government." President Harding replied after due deliberation, stating that he was not yet ready to recommend the concession of independence to Congress, but assured the members of the Mission and, thru them, the Filipino people, that there would be no backward step taken during his administration, and that the autonomy now enjoyed by the Filipinos would remain unimpaired. Petition for a constitutional convention.--The second Mission, failing in its object like the first, the Philippine Legislature at its next session in 1922, set about to devise other means whereby action on the question of independence could be hastened. After days of stirring debate, it was decided to ask Congress for permission to call a Constitutional Convention to draft a Constitution for a Philippine Republic, and the following resolution was passed: "Whereas, the people and government of the United States have solemnly promised to grant independence as soon as a stable government can be established in the Philippines; and