The San Francisco call., 1899-01-27
SPOKE OF The
AME ERICAN ARMY
IN FAR MANILA
Interesting Lecture by
Rev. F. B. Doherty.
DESCRIBES THE RECENT WAR
PRAISES THE vALoR oF CALL
MA VOLUNTEERS.
Outlines Vividly the Battle of Manila
and the Bravery of Well
Known Newspaper
Correspondent.
DESCRIBES THE RECENT WAF
PRAISES THE VALoR OF CALL
MA VOLUNTEERS.

Rev Francis Brooke Doherty. the Paul
ist missionary, who lately returned from
Manila, where he served through the late
war as chaplain on General Merritt
staff. gave to his audience last evening
at Metropolitan Hall, on the subject OF
with the Army at Manila one Of the
most vivid descriptions OF Manila, the
battle, the heroism of the boys in blue,
and. in fact, the war itself from the time
of commencement until the signing or the
final treaty of peace. that has yet been
presented to the public of this city. The
lecture was given for the beneht or the
Catholic. Truth Society.
The speaker was introduced by DR.. A.
P. O'Brien, who also recently returned
from his duties as surgeon to the First
California Regiment, stationed at Ma
Mia. He said in part:
Peace is the better part-it is the true
relation of life when all charity and JUS
tice is fulfilled; but besides that steady
movement of men-the ebb and flow OF
endeavor-the tides in the affairs of men
which lead on to fortune-there are at
times great tidal waves of energy arising
when some volcanic gathering, repressed
for while, shakes the earth beneath the
waves. Then old landmarks are obliter-
ated, headlands are buried beneath the
waves and new divisions are formed to
change the chart of the world. This is
the work of war. terrible and devastating,
sweeping away the labor of centuries and
engulfing hosts of precious lives.
The religious community to which l
have the privilege of belonging is never
behind on occasions of this kind. Filled
with the spirit that animated the Ameri-
can humorist when he wanted to offer
upon the altar of his country all his
Father Doherty.' This compliment / ap-
preeiated."
After the story of the voyage the
beT fhf Of
of living and their various character
istics. An interesting description was on
the subject of Aguinaldo. His first head
quarters at Cavite were spoken of, and
the lecturers own visit and interview in
terestingly pictured. The Filipino lead
er's personality was cited and his i'm
passive character outlined. "Aguinaldo."
said the priest, is an ordinary man, with
an extraordinary amount of common
sense and with an Oriental Imagination,
which plays as many tricks with facts and
In speaking of the attack on Manila
and its occupation by the American troops
the lecturer spoke of the gallant entrance
of General Merritt within the walls and
his own detail to follow the. general with
met at the shore" he said. was the Ex-
anxiously If there had been any news
paper man in before him. l answered
No for | knew nothing of the fact that
Sol Sheridan of The Call was fighting his
way into the city with the California men
and was the first to cross the bridge in
that direction
Colonel James Smith was characterized
as the Roosevelt of the Philippine expe-
dition. Roosevelt declined a brigadier
generalship," he said. Colonel Smith
does not want the position. His highest
ambition has been gained in the splendid
record of his regiment, and his greatest
joy will be to bring that regiment back
and lead it in honor through the streets
of San Francisco. These are men who
have served their country well, who have
borne abroad the stars and stripes.
The lecture was concluded with clear
definition of American spirit as the lee
turer rightly understood 1t: My coun-
try may she ever be right-but, right or
wrong, my country!