The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-02
DISSERTATION OF CHURCHES.
Varying Views ia Regard to the
Matter in the Philippines.

New York Catholic News.
Jacob Gould Schurman, president of the
Philippine commission, has returned to
this country from the Philippines, and to
the reporters who interviewed him he had
much to say in line with the ISLANDERS
that have been so widely circulated
against the friars. Mr. Schurman, like all
others who have repeated the stories
about the friars, failed to give particu-
lars. The friars, said he, were accused
of this, that or the other thing. Appar-
emily that was all he required, for a mere
accusation against a friar is equivalent
to conviction. In other cases, however,
strong evidence is necessary before an ac-
cused person is declared guilty.
TO Mr. Schurman's attention were called
the charges that American soldiers have
desecrated Catholic churches around Ma
Mia. These charges Mr.. Schurman en-
phatically denied. His declaration"
says press report of the interview, that
the American soldiers have not been
guilty of outrages against church prop
erty or priests was most emphatic He
said the sentiment respecting the Ameri-
can army in the island of Luzon was en-
tirely different from that which the enc
mics of the administration have been try
ing to show, and that none of the charges
made by priests or laymen in this country
derogatory to the soldiers could be sus-
tanned"
The Manila Times, a newspaper that is
in a position to know what is going on
among the American soldiers in Luzon
does not agree with Mr.. Schurman. In
its issue of July 6 that paper. which is
evidently controlled by non-Catholics
says:
''self-protection is the first law of ma
ture; therefore, In cases of necessity, to
insure. the safety of human lives the de-
struct1on of churches is eXcusable. But
so many instances of Wanton destruction
or affairs and Images sacred to those who
adhere to the Roman Catholic creed and
which, although not professed by many,
should at least be revered by all as the
faith of 'as many good, noble and right
eous men and women as can be found
amongst the followers of Martin Luther,
that we feel in duty bound to make a
protest The destruction of the beauti-
ful Cathedral of San Fernando, blown up
on May with dynamite by order of the
1nsurgent Luna, was eXcusable, from
Luna's point Of view, in his own defense,
as well the destruction of other
churches by the American troops. Much
silver-altar pieces and sacred vessels
was found in the ruins and appropriated
by the finder, in accordance with the
usual practice in war, though condemned
ia theory. But wantonly to enter
peaceable convent or a little Wayside
church. and deliberately proceed to dis
mantle every picture and altar-piece, de-
and ransack and pillage a little house of
worship, where rude villagers still llock
in silent, simple alteration, and which
has been spared by just American COM
manders as being too insignificant to af-
ford a post of vantage to the enemy, is
piece. of vandalism. crime, for which
no punishment is too severe.
This extract indicates that Mr.. Schur-
man, when he denied the charges against
certain American soldiers, spoke without
a knowledge of the subject. That he has
no better authority for what ne says
about the friars it is fair to presume.
From many sources in the Philippines
have come accounts of acts of American
soldiers that Jare plainly prompted by
anti-Catholic bigotry. What our officials
should do is to investigate such stories
and punish the guilty ones. Wholesale
denials will not make amends for the In
suits offered to the faith of so many Of
the officers and men who are fighting I'M
der the American flag in the Philippines.