The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-22
IRELAND SATISFIED

vnat CAEnolctum Will W tAS NAALAOF "
tho War with spaIn-Ths ArohbIshop'S
Satisfactory Conference with the Prssl.
dent.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.-Archbishop
ireland, who has been in the city for
several days, left last night. During
his stay he has Ind several conferences
with President Mckinley, with whom
his relations are of the most cordial
character. 1t has been generally under
stood that he was acting in the Interest
of the Catholic church as to its protec-
tIon in our new possessions. Tonight
he made this statement:
"The church question in our new pos
sessions offers no difficulty whatever.
Two principles are already settled by
the constitution and laws of America.
There will be no union of church and
state, such as is established by custom
or concordat In certain Catholic coun-
tries Of Europe. There Will be complete
protection of all properties and OF all
persons with such principles, Catholics
in the United States are satisfied. and
Catholics in our new possessions will be
satisfied. The so-called church question
need not be considered by military or
peace commissions. II Is fully regulated
the moment the flag of this country is
raised over territory.
1.-THE people of our new possessions
understand, am sure, this matter very
well, and will loyalty accept the sItua-
ton. 1t may not be very easy for them
at first to adapt themselves in all cases
to this situation. but the embarrass-
ments felt will be temporarily. The peo-
pie will soon realize that II Is their duty
to support religion by voluntary per-
sonal contributions. In the greater
number OF parishes. moreover, church
properties yield ample revenue TO meet
all expenses. The church everywhere
in our new possessions is thoroughly or
ganized It wears no missionary or ex-
perlmcntal aspect, but has the full form
and the full strength OF organIza tIon,and
is well prepared to care for all her inter
ests without the help OF state or Of char
table aid. 1t demands no favor, no
prlvllege-naught but liberty and the
legal protection OF the natural and civil
rights ot It's members.
Certain people who talk Of those ter
rltorIes as fields for missionary efforts
from the United States do not know
what they are talking about They
might with as much sense organize mis-
sIons for the conversion of the Catholics
of Washington as for the conversion OF
the Catholics of Santiago, Havana or
San Juan, and their labors would have
as much prospect Of success In Wash
Ington as In those cities Of Cuba or
Porto Rico. The separation Of the coun-
tries OF South America from Spain and
Portugal brought no change of religion.
nor will the separation Of Cuba and Por-
to Rico from Spain bring any, Indeed,
the Catholic church will flourish better
in Cuba and Porto Rico than In other
territories formerly colonies OF Spain,
because in Cuba and Porto Rico there
will be for her the liberty and the sta
bIllty OF order which our flag guaran-
tees.
Cuba and Porto Rico form an eeele-
slastical province, with the orehbIehop
OF Santiago us metropolitan, and suftra-
gan bishops at San Juan and Havana.
This province will take It's place In the
American hierarchy, Just as do the
provinces in the unItedstatcs,nnd bring
Ing to our Catholic population an'addI-
IloR Of 100000, net 60 talk o.. ialands In