The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-11
LAwTON on THE WAR.
Says II should stOp-Time for Di-
pIOmacy.
From the New York Herald.

pIOmacy.
From the New York Herald.
The Rev Peter MacQueen. now in the
Philippines, has written for the Congrega-
tionaHst an interesting review of The re-
lbgious situation in the islands and in this
review he quotes Gen. I.awton as declar-
ing that what we want is to stop this
accused war" and that it is time for
diplomacy and mutual understandings.
From Gen. Otis the Rev. MIR. MacQueen
obtained an interview, in which the gen
erai said:
As far as the present stale of religious
progress among the natives Is concerned,
the people have gained more from the
work of priests and friars than is usually
supposed. There are many abuses among
the frars. l have no doubt. They hold
day much of which has been acquired
contrary to the decree of the council of
Trent and the rules of the Catholic Church
in Spain. The holy orders own half the
real estate in Manila and nearly all the
property in the region OF Larguna de Bay.
They do not allow the Filipino priests
to be settled over the parishes This causes
no end of friction. They have had com
plete control of education. Ii is not so
bad an educational system as it might be.
They want their schools re-esta blished,
and a delegation is waiting for me just
now in regard TO their schools. 1 must
look out for them.
Hard Ground for PrOtestants.
"In regard to the establishment of Prot
estant missions in these islands they will
have a hard and stony ground The Fill
pinos are all earnest Catholics, and any
attempt at proselytizing them would stir
up their anger against Americans, whom
they would accuse of trying to take away
their religion well as their liberty I
think in time Professionalism will be good
for such of them as care to worship that
way, but as things are now II would only
stir up their animosity"
Mr.. MacQueen had a talk with the Arch
bishop of Manila. who said of SPANS
work in the islands:
There was more done here than Eng-
land and America believed. Almost every
Tagal child can read and write. We have
a great desire to see every child in the
Philippines educated. and as a result, the
average of education is higher here than
in Spain.
Il believe the Americans can do great
things here. The liberation of your peo-
pie is very gratifying to me. We shall
get along splendidly together, I have no
doubt"
LawtOn Praises FiIipinOs.
Mr.. MacQueen had a long interview
with Gen. Lawton, who praised the Fill
plnos as a very nne set OF soldiers, and
far better than Indians.
Taking everything into consideration"
said Gen. LawtOn, "the few facilities they
nave, the many drawbacks they are a
very ingenious and artistic race. And
taking into account the disadvantages
they have to fight against in arms, equip
ment and military discipline, without ar
tillery, short of ammunition, powder in
ferior, shells reloaded until they are de-
fective, inferior in every particular OF
equipment and supplies, they are the brav-
est men I have ever seen"
THE F'ihpinos are not military by ma
ture They are rather domestic in tastes
aud habits, peace loving and Industrious
| Nine-tenths of the people of the islands
win strongly favor peace, even a the ex-
pense of some of their theories, wishes
and hopes.
L believe that with a liberal govern
ment, such as the United States can ana
will establish. they will be a peaceable.
thrifty, happy people. | believe that il
was great misfortune that we were not
able to give them a chance to sample our
government before hostilties opened. The
only thing We have 20 fear is from am
bilious youths, who want to obtain con-
troll for financial reasons, that they may
practice what the Spanish have taught
them.
Time to Stop the War.
among ttle finplIOS tnere are many
cultured people who would ornament So
ciety anywhere in the world-ladies who
have studied and Travelled, men who have
good education and a fine brain. Take
them as a class, there can as many or
them read and write as the inhabitants
in many places in America. As for their
treachery, you would not have to come
so far as this to find that There is
plenty of il in North America. All ma
tions are treacherous more or less Some
men and nations have treachery trained
out of them more than others.
What we want is to stop this accursed
war Ii is time for diplomacy, time for
mutual understandings These men are
indomitabc Al Bacoor bridge they wait
ed till the Americans brought their can
non TO within thirty-five yards of their
trenches. Such men have the right to be
| heard An they want is little justice.
Il established a civil government at Bell
nag, with the government entirely in the
hands of the natives. 1t worked to perfec-
ton. All these people need for self-goVern-
ment is the protection of our troops till af-
fairs have quoted, and then they will. I
| have no doubt, advance as rapidly as the
Japanese, perhaps more rapidly. l am
very well impressed with the Filipinos"
Intelligent and Progressive.
! In giving his own opinions, the Rev. Mr..
| MacQueen says:
| oeHeNe tne masses IN the Philippines
are more intelligent and progressive than
we thought they were, and l assure Won
| that, while | have great hope of Protest
ant missions here in the future, yet I
| think, as Gen. OTIS does, that they will
| have hard, stony ground.
Il do hope that the whole Protestant
| Church in America will aid them. Instead
of starring rival sects and competing mis-
sions, which will only tend to emphasize
the unhappy differences that exist among
sectarians and which would certainly lead
| to complications among the natives.
1.-THE heather in his blindness cannot
| possibly understand why there should be
| so many different kinds of Protestants.
| and a series of theological discussions
would certainly not conduce to his forsak-
| ing his idols"