The Pope, the United States, and the Philippines.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 31 July 1902, Page 1

The Pope, the United States, and the Philippines.

A short time ago on the suggestion, it is said, of President koosevdt Mr Tall, Governor of the Philippines, was despatched to Rome to hold a conference with the Vatican with a view to settling the difficult question of the fiiars' lands lne conference is now proceeding but as is usual in such cases the revs supplied io us by lhe c ible agents as to the progress of the negotiations is not very satisfactory. A few days ago \\e were informed that the Cardinal", who represented the \ alien h id declined to accept Governor Taft's proposals and that negotiations had been broken o!f. Almost the very next day we have another cable to the following effect . ' The Daily Chronicle^ states that the Pope is intensely displeased at the Cardinals' conduct in the negotiations regarding the Philippines, and has over-ruled their decision. He declares that the American demand is reasonable, and has expressed readiness to treat with Mr Taft, Governor of the Philippines, personally in the matter.' Obviously, the wise thing for Catholics here to do is to receive the cabled items with even more than the conventional grain of salt and to take nothing as final until full and definite information comes to hand by mail. * In the meantime it may be interesting to recall the position in which the matter stood when it was decided to despatch Governor Taft to interview the Vatican. The American Government had then made an offer of seven million dollars to the religious Orders in the Philippines for their property in the islands but this oiler could not be accepted except with the approval of the Holy See. It was to secure the Pope's acceptance and ratification of this proposal that foimedthe main object of Governor Taft's visit to Rome. So far the Pope had been unwilling to authorise the sale of this property lest such action should be twisted by the Church's enemies into a condemnation of the friars themselves. The charges made against the Orders had been fully investigated by Archbishop Chappelle who found only a very small percentage among them worthy of censure. The friars have, on the admission of even Protestant travellers, done a magnificent work for Christianity and civilisation in the Philippines, and it would be cruelty and base ingratitude il they were sent out of the islands with even so much as the suspicion of a stain upon their good name. Fortunately Leo XIII. has the gifts of a statesman and diplomatist as well as of an administrator and it may be confidently anticipated that his exceptional tact courtes) , and ability, will enable a satisfactory settlement to be arrived at. * In addition to the main question a^ to the disposal of the friars' lands some other pressing pioblems will also be likely to come up for discussion at this conference and notably the present position of the schools in the Philippines. The avowed policy of the American Government was to introduce a ' non-

sectarian * system of education but under the present directors the system is being deliberately and unblushingly used as nothing more nor less than a means to Protestantise the islands. An American gentleman travelling in the Philippines sends the following particulars to the Catholic Citizen, Milwaukee : •To begin with, the head of the whole educational system is a Rev. Dr. Fred. W. Atkinson, a Protestant clergyman whose record in selecting only Protestants, and notably Protestant clergymen, for his leading assistants is sufficient proof of his bigotry. He has placed the city schools of Manila in charge of Rev. Mason S. Stone, a Vermont Protestant, a Presbyterian clergyman, who, in turn, has appointed only Protestants as principals and teachers in the public schools of this important city. There are only two Catholic teachers (ladies) in this city and 70 Protestants to teach Catholic children and to supervise the education of Catholic youth.' Moreover, according to this writer, the Rev. E. B. Bryan, a most bigoted Protestant clergyman, who has often bitterly denounced the Catholic Church and the friars, has been made superintendent of normal schools and not one Catholic is to be found among any of the American teachers who are employed under him in the education and training of native teachers. The correspondent adds that choice of places in the provinces is given to the native teachers who apostatise together with double the amount of salary which is given to those teachers who remain true to their faith. It is just possible that this account — which is certainly sufficiently startling — is somewhat exaggerated but in any case it will clear the air and reassure public opinion in America to nave the matter officially discussed with the Holy See. * Since the foregoing was written the following further cable, dated Rome, July 23, has come to hand : ' The Pope gave an audience to Mr Taft, the United States Governor of the Philippines, and assured him that the Apostolic Delegate in the Philippines would be instructed to execute the plans mutually agreed upon by America and the Vatican.' From this it would appear that our anticipation as to the probability of a settlement being arrived at has been fulfilled.