The San Francisco call., 1898-11-11

MANILA, Sept 29.-There has been so far little of the religious element in- troduced by the Americans into the war in the Philippines. It is true that we have found here a somewhat com plicated religious situation. l believe firmly nothing like it has been seen III modern times, the priests of both the Spaniards and the Tagallos, acknoWl- edging the same head, being even more bitter against each other than the lay men of their respective followings. IL Is likewise true that some or the less reputable of the Spanish priests have been suspected, with what justification I have been as yet unable to ascertain of striving to stir up the natives against the Americans. The Arcn- bishop of Manila at all events has been no party to these alleged plots. mat prelate, a man of more than ordlnary talent and of most commanding pres ence. has personally assured me or ms belief that the only hope of the churcn here lies in the stability of the govern ment, and that the only hope or sta bjlity lies in permanent American oc- cupation. The clergy, all that Is good in 1t, share his views as a matter or course. In view of the existence Of this spirit it is most unfortunate that there should have occurred an incident which is most properly characterized in the following open letter from the Paulist Father Doherty to Major Gen eral Otis:
 MANILA. Sept. 2S. 1898. Mai Gen. E. s. Otis, Military Governor PbjIippine Islands-Dear Sir: On the Ist inst. an officer of the commissary depart ment. said to be Captain Lynn, with detail entered the College of St. Cath crime Manila. and Witn the osIeils1p5e r2i s,,I5 plies within, the party intruded them selves upon the reserved precincts or the convent cloister, and even lnt9 r,ea Ine cetts at or sleeping rooms of the nuns. These acts were accompanied by demands to open the doors in the lattice between church and cloister, a door Wnlch 11.a ssoge IS geFof of the blessed sacrament to the SICK or dying. The nuns protested as pest they could against this needless hunhiIla I tIoH. but after the threats of the officer to ploW or burst it open, the door was, 10 no pur- fTn inc days of the Know Nothing move 11ent GIT in Massachusetts, a malodorous body came into legislative existence, the mission of the organization being the yratifica ton of prurIent curiosity under fhe guise of convent investigation Though name name '~ of the the Smelling Committed . causes goood folks in New England, even until to-day. to hold their nostrils.
 They are not forgotten for their works follow them. and it is evident that the mantIes of these worthfes have fallen naturally upon the shoulders of the afore- said offenders of the present day, 10 whom neither womanly reserve nor re- ligious conservation seem to De sacred;
 There are duties which, though painful, are necessary, and. when performed al the hands of a gentleman, acting unoer nroDer authority and observing due for maiitv are acknowledged by the weaker marty with due submission. But when unnecessary and officious interference IS imposed upon refined, reVerenI and neaceful people, and Is accompanied by brlIsoueness of manner and brutality Of protest and this do as an American clt- izen in the name of a people not given to warning upon women nor upon religion, in inc name of thousands of Catholics here on this expedition, soldiers, faithful to their duty and obedient to your com mands e., lowed by such an example as will aAay the apprehensions of the injured ones, and that some officers may be brought to realize that their position not alone gives mower and entails responsibility, but also exacts such consideration for the feelings of those whose sensibilities they cannot annreciate that in way, such abuses may be avoided in the future. Respect
 FRANCIS B. DOHERTY,
 Priest of the Congregation of St. Paul the
 Apostle.
 What action will be taken in the mat ter remains to be seen. The authorities are expected, however, to act promptly. and General Otis has not shown dis