New-York tribune., 1899-07-24
RELIGION IN LUZON.
ATTEMPT TO START INDEPENDENT
CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES.
INCREASED-THE ZEALANDIA AR
RIVES AT MANILA

Manila July GA Filipino priest named
Gregorlo Agrpay, is with the insurgents try
ing to lead a movement for the independence OF
the Church in the Philippines from the Spanish
priesthood. He has issued a proclamation de-
caring himself the vicar general Of all the
Filipino priests in the districts outside of Amer
can control on the island OF Luzon. and is in
citing the priests to disobey the regulations OF
the Church and brotherhoods. The Archbishop
OF the district has issued bull excommunicat-
ing Agrpay, and this action has increased the
feeling between the Filipinos and the Church.
The Archbishop threatened to eXcommuncate
the owners Of Spanish papers publishing an
nouncements OF Protestant and Masonic meet
ings whereupon an American paper warned him
that he might be bundled out OF the island
like any disturber of the peace, II he should
incite religious animosites
The Dominican frars have begun the publ
cation OF a newspaper under the title Of the
"Libertas" for the purpose OF defending the
brotherhood.
The United States transport Zealanda. which
sailed from San Francisco June "a with four
companies of the oath United States Infantry.
80 recruits and a large amount of provisions
and supplies for the Army on board, has ar
rived here.
FIGHT WITH ROBBER BANDS IN NEGROS.
FULLER PARTICULARS RECEIVED FROM GEN
ERAL OTIS.
Washington. July 23-The War Department to-
day received from General Otis another dispatch
giving additional particulars Of the fight between
Captain b. A. Byrne with seventy men OF the
9th Infantry, and robber bands In the island OF
Negros 1t shows that the victory Of the soldiers
was greater than that reported in General Ous's
dispatch Of July q. and that the loss suffered by
the robbers was considerably larger than before
stated Much satisfaction is felt by General Otis
over the results Of this preliminary effort In deal
ing with this disturbing element in the Island and
he reports that 1t already is having a sautary
effect on other bands infestng the locality
SOLDIERS VIEW OF PEACE PROSPECTS.
Kansas City Mo. July 23.-A dispatch TO The
Times" from Independence. Kan, SAYS:
Under date May 81 Emil G. Etsold Company G.
9oth Kansas. writes from Manila to his sister in
this city. Among other statements, Is ths one -
"They say that our regiment VIII be reheved IN a
few davs. but | think we are in for It until 1t Is
finished think it will not be long now now until this
war IS over and that the volunteers Will go nome.
There were two OF Aguinaldos officers here yester-
day negotiate on peace terms and mopG9y
TO have the stop. and our Government @ mas mas
offered $50 Mexican money for every man VINO Will
come in and give up his gun.
GENERAL MERRITT AND THE PHILIPPINES.
Among other rumors In connection with Philip
pine affairs is one the effect that General Wes-
lev Merritt commander OF the Military Department
of the East may be assigned 10 the duty OF SUD
DUNG the Fipinos. When spoken TO regarding
this Yesterday General Merritt said he had heard
nothing about II.
And" ne added 81 do not care to have snyfhins
to say about Philippine matters.
When asked whether he still thought as ne Is
said TO have once stated that twenty thousand SOL
ha sufic Philippines,
general sad
when made that statement referred to the
Spanish war 1 did not think then that there would
be a war with the Fillpinos."