Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-28
ARCHBISHOP KEANE
Speculation About His Intentions
DistastefuI to Him.
AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT
He is an American and an Humble
Priest
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT

In conversation this morning with rep
resentative of The Evening Star, who called
upon him to ascertain the real reason of
Archbishop Keane's return to the United
States, one of the most prominent repre-
sentative and liberal Roman Catholics In
The country spoke follows:
THE approaching return of Archbishop
John James Keane to the United States
always obnoxious to him and distasteful
to those who know him and understand
him. that has been inspired by his every
movement since he retired from the rector
snip of the Catholic University of America
Inc purpose of Archbishop Keane's return
TO TINS country was authoritativeiy stated
some months ago. 1t was, and is, simply
LOT the purpose of permitting him to exer-
else MS wonderful personality in securing
iunds 1or the Catholic University, which
VIII place 1t In an even higher position for
the accomplishment of its purposes than it
no" holds That its purposes are to convey
the truths of Americanism along with the
tenets of the Roman Catholic Church in
the United States is a well-known fact
Just as 1t is certainty that Archbishop
heane Is as loyal, as earnest and as an
uhcompromlsing an American as he is a
Cathoi1c of the Church of Rome He was
an American when he was a priest at St
fatrlcks Church in this city, as assist
ant 10 the late Father Walter, and at the
same ume an obedient and subservient
worker In the priesthood of the church He
was an American as rector Of the Catholic
University, which his potent influence did
SO much 10 raise to its present command
ing place In the ranks not only of religious
but secular American educational institu-
lions.
Never a Church Politician.
He has never been and never will be a
church politician any more than he will be
practical politician in the accepted Amer
lean sense of the term. He will go to
whatever duty he is assigned, and what
ever his right hand is called upon to do It
will do it with all its might, and he will be
an American all the time. The statement
that he is now holding an unimportant
place in the Catholic University is absurd
his advice and his vast wisdom are never
1aillng Factors in cases where either is re-
quested. as they frequently are. l do not
go beyond the bounds of fact when | de-
clare that his residence in Rome has given
the Vatican authorities better and more
comprehensive idea of American conditions
than they ever had before simply because
ne has told them the exact truth from the
STANDPOINT OF an honest and unbiased OBJ
server. There is one thing that NAV not
be uninteresting.
A Suggestive Occasion.
Previous to Archbishop Keane's going
to Rome he was given a testimonial at the
Carroll Institute. On that night the presi-
dent of Baptist university, Columbian,
and the Congregationalist president of
colored university stood the same plat
form with distinguished jurists and the
president of Jesuit college, and Wed with
one another in paying tributes to then
BISHOP keane. 1t was a revelation to
Rome when the account of that gathering
reached it, for the Vatican authorities,
bear in mind keep in close touch with all
that sort of thing. And Archbishop Keane's
presence there has been a revelation ever
since. He has never sought to bring an in
fUence in behalf of any personal ambition
of his own, because he is an absolute
stranger to such a thing. He has, and l
speak authoritatively, strenuously objected
to efforts. honest and fair enough, that
have been made in his behalf to advance
him to more important positions.
Approval of Selection.
He regarded the selection of Archbishop
Chapelle as admirable and the latter's adj
vancement as most appropriate. This
personally know. Every real friend of
Archbishop Keane in the Catholic Church
and out of it, and the latter are almost as
numerous, knows his sentiments regarding
Himself. He is a priest of the church, and
wherever he is sent, be his duty humble or
important, he will endeavor to execute his
orders valiantiy and well. Whether he is
sent to the Philippines or the Congo he
VIII be the same Jealous churchman, in
the broad sense of the term and the same
Jealous American in the broadcast sense Of
that term, as he was when painstaking
priest at st. Patricks.
And l want to say further while we are
on this subject that the constant prom
inence into which Archbishop Keane is
placed regarding his motives and intentions
is the source of about the only sorrow that
he knows. AS a priest he cannot make an
authoritative denial of the many assertions
made ahout him. l trust this statement
from one who is conversant with the facts
Will be made public