The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-11-10

Funston and the FEfars Again
want to emphasize my statement
that the expulsion Of the friars from
the islands would mean an end Of the
rebellion. I am satisfied that no per
msnent peace or progress can ever be
attained until that is done. When I
speak Of friars do not mean the Cath
Ole church. I have high regard for
that church and have many friends
among its clergy But the friars in
the Philippines have little in common
with the church in this country or
with the clergy Of the islands.
The frisrs represent the middle
sges. It is q fact that up to within
two years ago the practices Of the old
InquisitiOn obtained in the islands.
I have seen men whose bodies bear the
scars from having been scared with hot
irons BY the friars. Hanging by the
thumbs, hanging head downward, steel
books and other similar methods we're
used to compel victims to confess their
connection with Kstipunan, q secret
organization among the Fflipinos
whose object was to free the people
from the rule Of the friars and the
Spanish government. In 1867 the
wholesale execution OF natives took
place, the information against the vic
tins having been furnished by the
friars who extorted it by torture.
These facts 1 have gathered from
foreigners who have long resided on
the islands, and, from the natives If
one wants to understand the fullness
Of the awful character of these friars,
he should read q book called The Phil
ippine Islands, written about seven
years ago by an Englishman, John
Foreman, who had been an old resi-
dent. Mind you, that be was a loyal
Catholic, too.
There are four orders Of friars on
the islands. The best of these is the
Jesuits, who have accomplished much
good in educational work. The others
are narrow, cruel and licentious. They
keep mistresses and the number Of
illegitimate children of these priests
scattered about the islands is well
known. It is a common joke among
the natives. These orders own large
percent Of the best cultivated lands
and a most terrible form Of rack rent
exists. The system absorbs everything
except bare living.
These lands should be confscated
and the proceeds devoted to imprO7-
ing the condition Of the people. They
are practically crown lands and now
belong TO the United States, for there
never was any clear division between
church and state property under the
Spanish regimen. Titles to these lands
should be submitted to q commission,
and the mOnastic orders should be re-
quired 60 prove their title. Every acre
that is not leg1timately theirs should
then be COnhscated.
The hatred Of these frisrs by the
natives amounts to a mania. By my
familiarity with the Spanish language
was able, before the outbrake Of hos
tilities, to converse with many of the
insurgent officers. I asked them what
they would 10 if they had their indie
Pendence. They had crude ideas Of
finance and other questions Of govern
ment, but they invariably replied that
their first act would be to expel the
frisrs. The natives are loyal Catholics
but they want secular priests. They
have no use for Protestant missionaries
but We should encourage sending Am
ericsn Catholics to take charge Of the
welfare OF the people. The friars hate
Americans and Cypress the native peO-
pie. They are remaining neutral in
the rebellion, as they dislike both the
Americans and the insurgents.
Now let me explain why the expulsion
of the friars would end the war. The
insurgents would accept it as an ex-
preston Of good faith on the part Of
our government. 1t is the end above
all others that they have fought to &C
and if the United States
would give it TO them they would begin
to understand that we really want to
treat them fairly and better their con-
ditiOn. But as long as the pernicious
influence Of the frisrs continues in the
islands We shall be regarded by the in
surgents as no better than the Span
ish Reconsideration. Fred Funston in
Denver Times.