The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-09-12

Lawton Declares the Time Has Come
for Diplomacy and for Mutual I'm
derstandings
The Rev. Peter MacQueen, now in
the Philippines. has written for the
Oongregatioralist all interesting review
Of the religious situation IN the Islands.
and in this review he quotes Gen.
Lawton as declaring that what we
want is to stop this accursed war, and
that it is time for diplomacy md mu-
tual understandings
From General Olis the Rev. Mr..
MacQueen obtained an interview in
which the General said -
LAS far as the present state Of religi-
Gus progress among the natives is con-
cerned, the people have gained more
from the work Of priests and friars than
is usually supposed There are many
abuses among the friars, have no
doubt. They hold land today, much Of
which has been acquired contrary to
the decree Of the Council Of Trent and
the rules Of the Catholic Church in
Spain. The holy orders own half the
real estate in Manila and nearly all the
property in the region Of Larguna de
Bay
They do not allow the Filipino
priests 70 be settled over the parishes.
This causes no end Of friction. They
have had complete control Of education.
II is not so bad an educational system
as 1t might be. They want their
schools re-established, and a delegation
is waiting for me just now in regard to
their schools. 1 must look out for
them
HARD GROUND FOR pROTESTANTS.
I'm regard to the establishment OF
Protestant missions in these islands,
they Will have q hard and stony ground.
The Fllipinos are all earnest Catholics,
and any attempt at proselytizing them
would stir up heir anger against Amer
leans, whom they would accuse Of try
ing to take away their religion as well
as their liberty. think in time Prot
e-tantism will be good for such Of
them as care to worship that way. but
AS things are now it would only sti.
up their animosity. "
Mr.. MacQueen had talk with the
Archbishop Of Manila, who SAID Of
SPANS work in the islands
There was more done here than Eng
land aud America believed Almost
every Tagal child can read and write.
We have great desire to see every
child IN Ihe Philippine educated, and
~ result, the average Of education Is
h CHER here than in Spain.
believe the Americans can do great
things here The liberation Of your
p 'ople is very gratifying ID me. We
shall get along spendioly together, l
have do doubt -
LAYTON PRAISES FILIPINOS
Mr. MacQieen had a long interview
with General Lawton, who praised the
Filipinos as "a very fine set Of sol
diers. " and far better than Indians
Taking everything into considera-
ton" said Gen LAwton, The few
facilities they have, the many draw
backs, they are a very ingenious aud
artistic race. And, taking into account
the disadvantages they have to fight
against Ia arms, equipment and mill.
tary discipline. without artillery, short
Of ammunition, powder inferior shells
reloaded until they are defective. in.
forior in every particular Of equipment
and supplies they are the brayest men
| have ever seen.
The FIlipinos are not military by
nat1re. They are rather domestic in
tastes and habits, peace.loving and in
dustrious NIne-tenths Of the people
Of the islands will strongly favor peace,
even at the expense Of some Of their
theories. wishes and hopes
Il believe that with liberal gov
eminent, such as the United States can
and will establish, they will be peace
able, thrifty, happy people. believe
that it was a great misfortune that we
were not able to give them chance to
sample our government before hostili-
ties opened. The only thing we have
to fear is from ambitious youths, who
want to obtain control for financial
reasons, that they may practice what
the Spanish have taught them.
"Among the Filipinos there are
many cultured people who would orna-
mant society anywhere in the world
ladies' who have studied and travelled,
men who have a good education and
fine brain. Take them as a class, there
can as many Of them read and write as
the inhabitants in many places in
America AS for their treachery, you
would not have TO come so far as this
to find that. There is plenty Of it in
North America. All nations are
treacherous more or less. Some men
and nations have treachery trained out
Of them more than others.
"Yhat we want is to stop this acours.
ed war. 1t is time for dipl )macy, time
for mutual understanding These men
are indomitable. At BacO0r Bridge
they waited till the American brought
their cannon TO within thirty-fve
yards of their trenches. Such men
have the right to be heard. All they
want is little justice.
Il established a civil government at
Belinag, with the government entirely
in the hands of the natives. 1t work
ed to perfection. All these people
need for self government is the pro-