The age-herald., 1898-08-28
TOR PEACE COMMIsSIONER

Washington, D. C., August 22-Tt was reported tonight that Justice Edward Doug lass White, of the United States supreme bench, had accepted an appointment as one of the peace commission. While no verified ton of the rumor of acceptance could be secured at the White House. there appears to be little doubt that Justice White either has been offered or will be offered a place on the commission His name has been before the president for consideration, and his backing has been exceptionally strong. President Mckinley spoke to Archbishop Ireland about Justice White, and asked his opinion as to his qualifications for the place. and whether his appointment would be sat- isfactory to the Catholics. Archbishop Ire land was very highly pleased at the sug- gested appointment and said that he was eminently fitted for the position, and his appointment would be as satisfactory as any that could be made, from Catholic standpoint. The president did not give any intimatfon tonight of having selected Jus tice White, but a gentleman who saw the president today said tonight that he was certain the appointment would be made.
 The selection of Justice White one of the peace commissioners would no doubt stir up considerable comment on account Of his being a Catholic, but it is believed in administration circles that his appointment is an especially good one because he is a Catholic. The population of the islands of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines is al- most entirely Catholic. The church has thousands of priests in these islands, and it owns vast tracts of territory in them. In many places, especially in the Philippines, the natives are controlled more by the priests than by the civil officers. These facts have been considered by the president and Secretary Day. and Archbishop Ireland was requested to give his views on it to the president when he called on him Satur- day.
 The supreme bench will undoubtedly be recognized in making the selections for the peace commission, and by the choice of Justice White the president would recog- nize both the supreme bench and the Cath= olics. Another strong recommendation for his appointment is the fact that he is from New Orleans, where he long practiced law. and where the Code Napoleon forms the basis of the local laws. This code prevails in the dependencies of Spain which 1t is proposed to annex, and, being perfectly fa- miliar with this code, he would be well equipped to deal with the legal questions presented.
 It may be authoritatively stated that neither the pope nor the Catholic delegate. Mgr. Martinelli. has had anything to do with any recommendations for appoint ments on the commission. Mgr. Martin elli has held strictly aloof from all ques- tions pertaining to the war, has refused to express any opinion, and has declined to discuss the subject with any one. At the beginning of hostilities he was general of the Augustinian order, one of the oldest and most powerful orders of the chufch. Since he left Rome his vicar general, Rod eriguez, had been acting in his place. but there were many questions which were re- ferred to Martinelli. Feeling that he could not at the same time be apostolic delegate to the United States and general of an or5 der which has 500 priests in the Philippines alone, he forwarded his resignation to the pope The latter has accepted 1t and ap- pointed Roderiguez in his place. <