The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-05

as Described by One of Them.
While Felipe Agoncillo, envoy Of
Aguine ldo, the leader of the Philippine
Insurgents. was in Washington recent
ly an interesting interview was had
with him by a representative of tn
Chicago Times-Herald who writes:
Il had the advantage of spending the
evening with him by appointment.
during which, by a series of questions
on social conditions, l managed to
bring out all the personal Characteris-
tics and surroundings of the Filipinos,
their manner of living, education re-
ligions, courts, marriage customsar
amusements, sports, etc, which. taken
as a whole. give about the first and
best reflection of these people with
whom We are to deal, direct from
native sent by Aguinaldo as their Off
clal spokesman.
CHARACTERISTICS.
Agoncllo is a swarthy-faced, black
haired, black eyed man, of small ply
sioue. dressed in the most faultless up
TO date American attire, including high
collar, yellow-toppCd patent leather
shoes, latest frock coat and appropri-
ate shade of trousers, and the general
aspect ole would find in a Japanese
gentleman of leisure. His alertness,
Nivacity, even to the emotional part,
strikes one in talking with him. You
are impressed also with his keenness
as well as his eagerness. After five
minutes conversation you are satisfied
that if this be the type of the Filipino.
then indeed these people are a revela-
tiun and are not the benighted barbar-
ianS one expects to find in the islands
OF the far east.
He was accompanied here by two
other natives, both bright and accom-
plishcd men. who had the advantage
over him in speaking English. Through
one of them the interview proceeded.
GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM.
I'VE have a system of schools all
through the island" said he. rang
ing from the primary school up to the
professional school and universities. I
know this will surprise people in Amer
lea. for they seem to think because
we are on the other side of the world
that VIC are not only ignorant, but
are actually going around half naked
wearing the breechcloth and carrying
spears. 1t will surprise them also Ia
know that the official statistics COM
piled by the government of SPAN show
hat ic per cent. of the entire inhab-
itants of all the Philippine islands car
beth read and write. How does that
percentage compare with the record
OF Massachusetts. Ohio or other cen.
ters of your education? | think it Will
come up to your best standards. II
shows that we are not barbarians and
such high percentage is the best proof
"t the wide extent of our educa tior
and school system.
The chief universities are at Manila
st. Thomas University being an exten-
sive institution with superb buildings
Then throughout the islands every
small town has its graded schools. one
for boys and the other for girls.
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.
In the larger cities there are pro
fessional schools, teaching medicine
arts, commerce and navigation. TIL,
need of educating the people is so wei
recognized that our normal schools ar,
especially encouraged. Outside of til,
facilities at home about 200 children q,
10 Europe every year to complete thei
studies, attending the schools at Ber
How about your religion: do Won he
lieve in supreme beingo" I asked. re
calling some of the stories of pagan
ism in those islands.
"Our people are probably more re
ligious than yours" answered Agon
clio, and that is natural in hayin,
been so long a colony of a Roma,
Catholic country like Spain But. un
fortunately, We are riest-ridden a
well as religious. The great body O
our people are Catholics. They mum
her 100000 TO 100000
Some Mohammedans live i'm tn
Islands or Mindano, but they are com
paratively few. Then of course. bac,
In the forests we have scattered band
or the primitive native, barbarous an
untamed.
But the great bulk of our peonl
nave not only advanced from that state
but are in high degree of civilization
You can go right to the center of Spaiu
even in CASTLE, and find some of tn
most ignorant people on earth. but
Is not characteristic of the neoule a
large.
Our religion is directed bv tw
classes Of cl rgy, first the native clergy
numbering about 600. and second IN
old Spanish friars, numbering abou
1000. Our native priests are poorl
paid receiving from $40 to $l2 pe
month, and never above 500 per month
out of which they must pay their per
sonal tax.
BIG SALARY FOR FRIARS.
But the old Spanish friars never re
ceive less than $50 a month, and thci
pay runs IN as high as $25, 900 a yea,
They are practically the rulers of III
island, and they are living on the ia
of the land, They have grown so in
dependent that the usual forms of NOR
ality going with religion are ignored
They are hand in glove with the Span
ish officials, and a bribe silences IN
officials If any immortality in IA fria
comes to the surface. The friars hav
splendid establishments plenty Of sci
wants, well-tilled wine cellars. on III
other hand the native clergy are doin
the real work Of eVangelizing anon