McIntyre's cable message to Wood mentioned that the desire to get rid of the Philippines was due to opposition to the free admission of Philippines sugar, cigars and other products into the United States. American agricultural producers eventually supported moves for the independence of the Philippines in the belief that Philippine exports were responsible for the drop in prices of domestically produced sugar and tobacco. Using statistics to bolster their argument, these farm groups noted that sugar exports rose by 450 percent, coconut oil exports by 223 percent, and cordage by 500 percent. The general sentiment of the farm groups may by summarized in the speech which Harold Knutson of Minnesota delivered before congress.