The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-27

Priests own Version or what ne Said Touohing
Spain and the Waited states.

Priests own versien or what ne Said TouchinE
Spain nnd the United states.
Father Weber, the Western priest who has
been assisting Father Kuhnen In 81. Peters Ger
man Catholic Church at Hondout, and who has
been quoted as having advised all. American
Catholics to take sides with Catholic Spain in
the event of q war. has sent to THE Sun a posi-
tive denial. Father Weber says that ho has
been consistently misquoted, that reasonable
language that he never uttered has been put In
his mouth, and that o deliberate attempt to
mako him out q traitor to his adopted country
and TO ruin him in the Catholic Church has been
made.
Father Weber went to Rondout about four
months ago as tho guest OF Father Kuhnen. He
assisted tho latter in his church work. and
mado n good impression In the parish, although
little or nothing was known about him. He
oficiatod one night last week at the funeral of
ono Frank Martinelli, a member Of st. Peters
Commandery. Knights of st. John. At the
conclusion of the ceremony. 1t was alleged, he
made a political speech, in which he reviled
the United States and told all present that It was
their duty as loyal Catholics to take up arms
against the United States and fight for Spain In
tho event Of war. He was quoted as having
said further that under no circumstances
should Catholics fight against Spain, q Catho-
lie nation. and that 1t would be an excellent
thing IL President Mckinley and tho members
Of his Cabinet were all blown up. Published
reports attributinR such a speech to Father
Weber stirred up q hornets nest. He was
roundly denounced all over the country by
Catholics as well as Professionals, and there was
9 general demand in this diocese for his with
drawal from active church work hereabouts.
The statement which the priest has sent to THE
Sun Is as follows:
II did not know the Knights Of st. John were
present, and j did not Know the dGCea ael wna
a member Of that organization. I did not say
q. word about the American Administration. I
did say Cuba belonged to Spain. and that this
land has no right to interfere with their trou.
bles. No othor nation NEEDLES with American
would throw the country into a war, and in this
event, they might receive q severe lesson, which
about the government, or mention the names Of
anybody connected with it. l said Spain is a
Catholic nation, and it seemed that there lies a
cutlery of jingoes and A. Z. AS. 1t is a shame.
tSl lie that should have said anything about
up of arms against America eeSs.At German anS .A sIaiTf
cans cnIns, should ID always be loy4l, as they have a
should be proud and not ashamed Of their an
cestors; because Germany is one of the greatest
andT Oldest nations, to which the world owes a
sciences. l said it won't do to say, I am an
American, because everybody who abides by
in an honest way is a real American. and de-.
serves ali the protection and advantages of this
country and you all. my friends. should be such
American citizens. The whole article is a
mean and groundless attack upon a priest who
assists his friend, the Rev. NJ. Kuhncn, in 81.
Peters Church. A cause for this misrepreson-
tation may be found in tho insufficient Rnowl-
edge. OF German OF tnoso present. or may be
sought in throwing a slur on a priest whose
struct the faithful in spiritual as well ss So
cial affairs. I.also said at the.beginning Of my
sermon that 1t was not the. custom of Catholic
priests. to interfere In politics, but as emotion
runs high 1t would not be out of place to warn
them and give them an idea in what,danger the
country may plunge. 4 consider the other state
ments below my dignity to answer"
Father Connolly. Archbishop Corrlean's SEQ
rotary. when informed of Father Weber's de-
nial yesterday. said:
Our Information on this matter has come from
and newspaper mon. In view OF the
fact that every newspaper in the city Gu~otedFath-
CT Weber in the same way, 1t seemed to us prob
able that It was true. The Archbishop wrote
to Father Weber yesterday informing him that
he must cease all work IN the diocese if the re-
port Of his utterances was true. He wrote. too,
to, Father Kuhnen. telling him to ascertain
quoted, and if so. to Withdraw tho hospitality Of
the diocese at once. Tho Archbishop has had
no response to these letters yet. l sincerely
hope that Father Weber did not make the state
mcnts credited to him. 1t Is hard to believe
any priest would tall; In such fashion. He
wouldn't have the Endorsement of a Catholic
In tho country. The church will always vigor-
ously resent any attack on the rights OF its
members as American citizens, and 1t would
with equal vigor defend and guard the rights of
all American citizens"