The times., 1899-10-08
A Dangerous Filipino Argument.

Dangerous Filipino Argument.
According to despatch to the New York
Evening Post" the Filipino Junta in Bos-
ton has succeeded in establishing branch
in Cincinnati, where a successful propa-
ganda is said to be in progress among the
religious" element of the city.
The despatch asserts that the seditionists
are using the argument among the
pious people of Ohio that it is the
height OF wickedness to use an army
with banners, and otises and camp
followers to carry the gospel to
the heather. The idiotic weakness Of that
plea is its own answer. and it does not
deserve attention. But the emissaries OF
Hoar, Atkinson, ct ais, have hit upon
another line Of appeal which is specious
enough TO be dangerous unless its basis
can be explained away by authority.
They claim as a fact that -our Govern
nent is committed by treaty to the sup
port OF the Catholic orders in the islands,
which are so hated by the Filipinos.' This
contention. while colorado, is not definite
ly borne out hy IL. terms Of the Treaty of
Paris That solemn covenant was entered
into with fun knowledge on the part OF
the American Commissioners that certain
orders OF the Roman Church had acquired
control over real estate in the ISL
and Of Luzon amounting. as some have
asserted, to three fourths ia value OF the
arabic land; that they had been immune
from taxation OF any kind; and, further
ileges OF responsibility TO the civil
Law, and Of compelling the labor of the
natives without just remuneration Our
representatives were aware that these con-
ditions constituted the causes of local re-
belliol against Spanish authority. and that
if they should not be changed under Amer
lean rule, the problem OF pacifeation would
be practically hopeless one. The Bos-
ton Filipino Junta hes always held that it
vas the definite purpose Of the American
Commissioners in framing the Treaty. TO
continue the extra legal powers, immuni-
ties, and monopOlies enjoyed by the
friars prior to the capture OF the Philip
pines, under an understanding between
President Mckinley and persons represent
ing the Vatican. arrived at before the peace
protocol was signed On the twelfth of Au-
gust, 1888.
That some such arrangement was pro-
posed and ratified there is little doubt;
but that it was intended to apply to the
conditions created by the Peace Treaty is
not so probable When the protocol was
arranged at the several White House con-
.7o1 -Fr9,.
Senator Elkius. and others, the idea in
force was that the Administration would
take only Manila and q coaling station,
and hold the remainder Of Luzon, and the
other islands. pending an international
agreement for their division. subject, how
ever, 10 provisions which should guarantee
10 the religious orders everything that they
had claimed OF appropriated under the
Spanish Crown. When public opinion con-
PEELED Mr. Mckinley TO instruct his Com
missioners in Paris that they must take
over the whole archipelago. understand
ings and deals previously made On the
basis OF relinquishing the who,e posses
sion. with the exceptions noted. necessarily
fell 10 the ground Men like Senator Davis
and Judge Gray would, OF course. know
that perpetnailon Of the expressions and
scandals OF the old regime would be i'm
practicable under the Stars and Stripes,
and that any attempt in such a direction
would irrefrievably wreck the Admin stra-
tloa which should attempt it. All, then.
that the Boston Junta has to hang its ar
eument on is contained in Article VIZ OF
the Treaty OF Paris which reads as fol-
lows;
And Il is hereby declared thas the relinqush-
Ineut cession, - the case Ray be ear
Hot IN zIg respect impair the properly OF rights
which ly lax belong 10 the peaceful possession
q property OF al kinds, 0f provinces municipali-
ties, public private establishments. eocesizsti-
Ing legal capaclts - aculfe and posses property
m the 1fOTcs2id territories renolnced OF ceded
u private individuals, Of whatever nationality
such snaiFiduais may be-
The Filipino rebels insist that the
rights" claimed by the friars under the
Spanish Government we're nos rights at all,
bur Illegal usurpstions. II that position be
tenable. then an investigation win prove Il.
We think Il highly probable thar only a
naoiely Of the property appropriated for the
benefit OF the religious orders in Luzon
could be considered as having passed 70
them IN fee. Il is much more likely that
their possession OF most Of It was In the
nature Of 8 user. and so regarded by the
Spanish authorities. However. that is =
matter OF detail.
There is just enough Of suspicious char
oc;er about tie language Of Article VII to
alord good opportunity 10 the anti-ex-
pausionists 10 make dangerous use Of it,