The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-20
Helpless Catholic Priests Wan
tonly Butchered by Agui-
naldO'S Followers.
Father CULLEN, an Augustinian Monk, Wildly
Describes the Conditions Existing in
the Unsubjugated Islands in
the Philippines.

Until this is accomplished we can hope for
nothing but continual cruelty and carnage.
The object Of the rebellion against the
priests is to get possession OF the power which
is invested in their office This. the leaders
know. only be done by depriving them Of
their liberties and battling with the entire
population of the islands as the natives refuse
to consent TO see US banished from them with
cut stubborn resistance. BY 1mprlsonlnS, muir
dering and banishing they hope TO wrest from
military, civil and religious power,
which We exercise in the various parishes IN
der control.
Although Governor was appointed by Spain
10 rule the islands his power was simply
ed, by his sanction and that OF those who sent
him, in the priests, who were considered 10
have more influence over the natives than any
funCtionary that could possibly be sent there
TO govern them by either force or a policy of
the priests, they never abused il. They recog-
nIzed the Governor and deemed themselves
towns in name; they governed them in reality
For these and various other reasons, prompt
co oy 4fhplt!oh ana greco ior power - ulLltluo
and his followers have instlgated the rebel
lion. Knowing that they could never hope TO
get entire control Of the government without
destroying the power OF the priests, they nave
undertaken to force them 10 relinquish their
influence by assassination, Imprisonment and
Punishment. The atrocities they still continue
to practice upon the priests are appalling
When the rebellion first broke out the cap
tured priests were seized and thrown into
prison. While there they were offered every
indignity and insult. Their sacerdotal robes
were torn from their backs In place of these
no other clothing was given them save a pair
OF the thinnest trousers and a small jacket or
coat once caDtlred they are NOT left long 10
mediate in their cells. Provided with their
scant clothing they are set TO work in sugar
cane fields in the hot sun. Guards are placed
over them, who compel them with the utmost
cruelty to work whether they are physically
able 10 do so not. Their food for an entire
day consists of handful of rice and little
water, which is handed them at night. II they
ask for more they tortured and cruelty
abused. AT night when they return from the
fields they are compelled TO sleep on the pare
floors OF their prison with absolutely not the
slightest covering for their aching bodies. Some
are thrown into dungeons. WhIe others are
taken into the open squares and beaten
The natives OF the better class have shown
every disposition TO help them, but they are
powerless. under pain OF death, to render them
the least assistance. Food is forbidden 10 be
brought into the jails, and If anybody is seen
assisting some unfortunate priest, by handing
him the least food, he is liable to extreme
punishment and even death.
Just after the rebellion commenced a Fran
Trfs0r and vas murdered for his trouble He
was taken into an adjoining field and dashed TO
q post, where he died from the effects of the
heat and starvation. II the priests ask for
meat the insurgents cut il from their arms or
other parts OF their body and compel them to
eat il. Scores OF the unfortunates have been
crucihed and tortured in various other ways.
To escape their torture We are forced 10 go
into exile. Just before we left the Philippines
the insurgents made an attack on Bohol. For
tUnateIy the Inhabitants were notlned and l
hastened TO Cebu, where I notified the authori-
ties who sent 500 soldiers to rescue the natives
and save the town Ihls was successfully done
and the insurgents were compelled to retreat
The Indians, or low class native Filipinos,
intend TO fight until they either gain their in
dependence or are vanquished. They believe
that IL they die IN battle their children and
other relatives viii take their places They are
sanguine Of success and place every confidence
in the ability of Aguinaldo. Much blood will
be shed fear before the insurgents surrender.
Every desire among Spanish and American in
habitants is that peace will be restored in the
near future. The Augustinian monks and mem
bers Of various other religious orders are hoping
for the same result, that they may be per-
mitted to 60 back to their parishes in the
provinces and resume their work among the
natives
When the American soldiers first landed IN
the islands the natives accused them OF cow
ardice. saying they were afraid OF the saber.
This impression. however, has given place TO
a realization of the fact that the Americans are
even drawer than the most stubborn Fflipinos.
From November OF last year until February
of the present year I was compelled TO seek
protection in q convent in Manila, where
was garrisoned with three companies Of the
Colorado regiment. While there I undertook
70 teach the men the best way OF living IN the
Philippines. 7 showed them the proper food
TO eat and the necessary method Of living TO
be pursued in order to retain their health and
protect themselves from disease. All the priests
who have not left the islands are at Manila
under the protection Of the Americans.