The times., 1899-10-25
The Friars in the Philippines.


dress 10 the students of Stanford Universe
ty, Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston made
some remarks on the connection of the
religious orders with the troubles in Lu-
zon. In the press dispatches he was quoted
as declaring that IF Congress would drive
out the friars and confscate every inch Of
Church property. the bottom would drop
out of the insurrection within one week"
Archbishop ChapelIe, who has been desig-
mated by the Pope as Delegate Apostolic to
the Philippines. and who is now in Wash
ington in consultation with President Nc
KinIey in the interest of his mission, took
exception to the remarks of General Fun
stcn. as reported. and gave out a reply
which was printed in yesterday mornings
edition of The Times.
In this reply. Monsignor Chapelle ex-
pressed his belief that the general had
been misquoted. The latter has since dis
claimed responsibility for the impression
conveyed in the newspaper reports Of his
address. that his position was one of an
tagonism to the Catholic Church. He says:
Nothing is further from my thoughts. The
Roman Catholic faith is the only religion
for those people (the Tagals), as far as
can see. But regarding the friars. Cen
eraI Funston reiterates. in substance. what
his critic has objected to:
Il said the influence Of the monastic orders there
IS detrimental. ] say it again The Dominican
triars there are queer lot. The secular priests
are all that can be desired. They men Of
education, honesty. and refinement, and ready
10 accept the situation from 4 philosophical stand
point. They under the jurisdiction of the
Archbishop and obey the orders given them with
0ut "a murmur But the Dominican friars not
responsible 10 the Archbishop and take no orders
from him They do they please and it
to them 1 referred when ] spoke slightingly of the
influence Of the Catholic clergy. For the secular
priest ] have the highest regard and admiration.
] ana soTfF / cannot say rs much for the DOmini-
can friars."
Defending the religious orders in the
Philippines, Monsignor Chapelle asserts
that whatever the natives are or have they
owe 10 the friars." and quotes the au-
thority Of Protestant missionary officials
in support Of the statement. Without at
present desiring to 90 into the details of
a controversy which promises 10 be a sub
ject Of much discussion. and may be diff
/ fcult of equitable and honorable settle
ment it may be said that, in the present
condition Of knowledge, the whole ques-
tion of the position of the Spanish friars
on the Island OF Luzon and of the vested
rights claimed by Them. must be regarded
and treated as an open one-open TO the
production of evidence, pro and con, and to
the judgment Of the American people
Since it is understood that the commits
sion Of MonsignOr Chapelle includes au-
thority TO Investigate charges against the
religious orders, is apparent that they
are under accusation Of some sort from
some quarter. That he should ask for
suspension Of judgment. and for a public
assumption that they are innocent of blame
until proven otherwise, is natural and com
mendable. Public opinion in the United
States, in the end, is fair, impartial, and
4 open TO conviction. Hence, a full and free
! discussion of the matter cannot reasonably
+ be objected to by the Delegate Apostolic,
or any other person.
Supposing General Funston to be in er-
ror concerning the friaIs, and that they
have been never anything but benefactors
to the Tagal natives, as Monsignor Cha
. pelle believes. it must be conceded that the
. Kansas soldier only expresses view which
is held by many other people in the Philip
pines, and notably in Hongkong and other
/ Eastern centres Of civilization. Indeed, the
allegations which have been broadly and
persistenty made against the Philippine
religious orders for the past three years
are TOO specific and too serious, if true, to
be dismissed with mere denial, or on an
little foundation in truth That remains
/ TO be seen upon disinterested investigation.
But there is too much smoke about the
scandal not 10 raise the presumption Of at
! least q little IRE.
it has been repeatedly charged and IS
widely believed that the Filipino reb=lions
which successively have kept the Is and o.
Luzon in a condition Of periodic anarchy
for a hundred years. have been caused by
the expressions and extortions Of the
friars. The natives declare this TO BE- fact
they may be mistaken. IT is. however.
charged and widely believed that, without
just compensation but through influence
with the Spanish Government and its CO.
lonial authorities the religious orders ac-
quired possession OF about three-foIrtas o,
the arabic land in the region inhabited BIZ
the Tagals; that they Leld this area free
from all taxation that they compelled tae
natives to pay them exorbitant tribute in
kind or labor; that they claimed and en-
joyed immunity from civil or criminal pro
cess. and. nevertheless exercised magis-
terial power; that, whereas they ned
.hrea-sourths OF the colonial property ex-
ampt from contribution to the State, III
other fourth was compelled to bear al ths
burdens imposed by the Government on
real estate; and that. whereas the friars
we're practically immune from taxation,
the laity were kept in abjecl poverty by
legal exactious.
Now, If. as Monsignor ChapeIIe asserts.
an the property claimed by these orders.
and all the vested rights they have en-
joyed. are the result Of legal and equitable
requirement, FUN and impartial inquisi
tlon VIII develop the fact The argument
has been advanced in behalf of the friars
that their case Is not open TO review. bay-
ing bsen settled by Article VIII of The
Treaty OF Paris; that it is only necessary
TO ascertain what property rights. and 50
on. they were possessed OF under Span, t.
determine what they are entitled to now
Concerning all these matters, the American
people win wish TO do what is right and
honest. No doubt the enquiry, which it is
I NoDs{gror CbaneIfe's yrrDosa IN make ~,