Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-17
CHURCHMAN FOR ANNEXATION
Agent Of Bible Society Considers Filipino,
Incapable Of lf-Govsrnmsnt.
WOULD SOON RELAPSE INTO BARBARIsN
Masses Of the People Densely Igno-
rant-Charges the Condition to
Religious Orders, but Eek.
%Onerate the Jesuits.

NEW YORK, Jan. 16.-The American Bible
society has received a second report from
Rev. John r. Hykes, d. d., who in Sep
TENDER last was commissioned to proceed to
Manila for the sake Of preliminary inquiry
about the possible openings there for tho
, distribution of the holy scriptures. He ex-
presses the opinion that the Filipinos are
not now capable Of self government and
says:
while there are doubtless many able
men among the Filipinos, l am convinced
that they do not have the qualifications which
are essential In the founders Of q republic.
1 believe that II western influence were to be
entirely withdrawn civilization would spon-
taneously die out in the Philippines. The
mass OF the people are ignorant in the ex-
IRENE and they are not prepared and will
not be prepared for many years for self
government. 1t will be generations before
their aspirations to become an Independent
commonwealth ought to be realized.
II was introduced to Aguinaldo, but l did
not mention the subject OF my mission. A
friend Of mine. who Is In the confidence OF
Aguinaldo, promised to bring the matter be-
fore him and let me know his views. l
received q letter from him q few days ago
in which he says: According to promise l
interviewed General Aguinaldo on the sub
ject Of a bible depot here Tin Manila), and
his answer was to the effect that per-
sonally he was In favor Of it. but the ques-
ton had been discussed by the cabinet and
they objected to the scheme. Aguinaldo,
himself, has become a Protestant. and he
assures me that a little later on, when things
become more settled, there will be no
trouble about the Bible society sending
! agents here to the Islands. / am sorry that
l cannot send you a more favorable answer
now, but l will not lose sight OF the matter
Not Prepared for Independence.
at would be monstrous TO turn the Phil
! ippines. back to Spain. 1t would be a great
blunder to grant them independence. In my
judgment the only proper, the only right
thing Is for the United States to keep the
whole archipelago and give the people good
government and religious liberty. Every
Spanish friar ought to be banlshed from the
islands. II not, there will be endless trouble
l ought to have said that the Jesuits were
never accused OF the gross immortality with
which the other orders have been SO freely
charged, They were driven out OF the prov
inces by the other religious corporations anc
their work was almost entirely confined tt
Manila. There Is q priest here In Shangha
who was in Manila for many years. and M
does not hesitate to say that the lives o.
the Spanish friars were scandalously cor
rupt.
IT know that the opinion has been ex'
pressed in the United States hal there II
no need for the Protestant churches to con
Germ themselves about the Philippines; tina
the Roman Catholic church has taken goot
care Of the people for more than 800 years
that they are good. intelligent Catholic
who ought not to be disturbed In religious
matters, and that we have nothing better Il
offer them than what they already have. M
man who has been to the Philippines couit
honestly hold such opinions for a moment
No man who Is familiar with the history o
the church in the Philippines could hav'
the audacity to give publicity to such state
ments. The people have been kept II
ignorance because the priests could thu
best play upon their superstitions. Schools
authorized by the Spanish government wer,
not established because 1t did not suit tn
priests to have them. They have nothing
but the outward form OF religion and know
nothing of It's inward and spiritual grace
Roman Catholicism has not purified thei
lives. 1t has not been a power in moulding
and Transforming their characters. Piou
and deyout Catholics would be scarcely read,
to acknowledge them Catholics In more thai
name and l think would admit that the,
are FIT subjects for missions Of their ow
church. The mass Of the people are pain