The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-25
FUNsTON's EXPLANATION.
What he Really Meant About Ro-
man Catholic Church.

The following interview with Gen.
Fred Funston appeared in Sunday s
San Francisco Call:
I think there is a misunderstanding
of what I meant last evening when I
referred to the attitude of the Catholic
church in the Philippines during my
address at Stanford university last
evening. The published reports of my
remarks convey the impression that I
am antagonistic to the Roman Catholic
church Nothing is further from my
thoughts. The Roman Catholic faith
IS the only religion for those people, so
lar as L can see. I said the influence
of the monastic orders there is detri-
mental say 1t again. The Dominican
Friars there are a queer lot The sec
ular priests are all that can be desired.
They are men of education, honesty
the situation from a philosophical
standpoint.
They. are under the jurisdiction of
the archbishop and obey the orders
given them without murmur; but the
Dominican friars are not responsible to
the archbishops and take no orders
from them. They do as they please,
and it was to them I referred when I
spoke slightingly of the influence of the
Catholic clergy For the secular priest
l nave the highest regard and admira-
lion. lion. l am sorry 1 can not say as much
Tor the Dominican friars.
L have nothing but the kindest feel
lngS Tor the people of California. I do
not regard these grand receptions al
tOSGtuSA eS DelnS given IN my honor,
l feel they are tokens of esteem and re-
gard for my wife, who is an Oakland
girl. So long as I live I will remember
the KIND hearts of the people of this
state. L have been simply oVerwheln-
ed with kindness since my arrival and
you may rest assured I feel grateful
I cannot talk on the campaign or the
people who are directing it. AS a soldier
there IS but one thing for me to do and
that is my duty"
Mrs. Funston will not accompany her
husband to the Philippines. This was
determined on last night While she
feels deeply grieved at having to sepa-
rate from her husband so soon after
their return from the scenes of battle
She mas reconciled herself to the situa-
ton on the ground that his place is
where his country needs him most Fol-
lowing the strain accompanying the
Ebeu reception Mrs. Funston partially
collapsed and could see no one after
her return to her mothers home
The Chronicle says:
L am not returning to the Philip
pines for the salary of a brigadier gen
eraI" added Gen. Funston, "for since
my return I have had several positions
in civil life offered to me. any one of
which would afford me much greater
opportunities to make money than this
If We're simply after a good salary
should stay in this country, and, be-
sides, that is vastly easier But if thew
need me out there I do not feel that I
have any right to refuse. I must stay
with them until this business is settled
1t appears to me like a plain case of
duty. What brigade I shall command
is, of course, entirely unknown to me.
That is a matter which rests entirely
with Gen. Otis. I do not think that it
will be necessary for me to remain
there very long. AS soon as the war is
over I shall return to this country
Nothing would induce me to go into the
regular army and nothing would induce
me to stay in the army after the war is
over and I am no longer needed"