New-York tribune., 1900-03-04
THE PHILIPPINE CHURCH.
THE IMPORTANT PART WHICH 1T PLAYS
IN THE POLITICS OF THE ISLANDS

IN THE POLITICS OF THE ISLANDS.
Manila, Jan 1s (SpeciaD.-In Manila the Amer
leans are amused by variety of things in
cluding conspiracies and dynamite. These are the
latest Bombs and other varieties Of explosives
were unearthed in Binondo-which harbors
much evil as Mulberry Bend-a few days ago, and
II has been told that plot existed to plunge the
United States into interna tionaI complications 1t
was expected that the funeral procession of Cen
eral La"ton would pass down the Escolta. and the
bombs were reserved Tor this occasion They were
not destined for the Americans but for the rep
resentatives OF foreign Powers. the Consuls and
Viee-Consuls who took part in the procession This
Is hendish enough to have been hatched in the Mid
die Ages. and there is more or less truth in it,
Some thousands OF Filpinos said be impn-
Gated. but only thirteen have been arrested, and
until the trial the public will be more or less ig-
norant of what really intended Hardly a
week passes by that there is not alarm of some
KIND in the city of Manila Warnings OF outbreaks
are still sent into headquarters as in days of yore
when the entire insurgent army far from
the city
The death struggle OF the insurrectiou is almost
on at linus 1t is strange that this should be near
enough to Manila for the boom of the cannon to
be heard after of fighting. The insurgents
have been congregating the south line for a
long time. The separated and demoralized bands
Wmcn remain from the army of the North have
worked their way down there. and combining have
gained courage with their numbers. and are pre-
pairing to make desperate stand As General
Bates has been made major general of voun-
teers and is to FIJI General Lawton's place he
VIII probably take personal command OF the op
erations thera
On New Years Day there was most interest
Ing religious demonstration. This day. the Feast
OF the Circumcision, is one of the great 'hestas'
ana was celebrated with more pcmp and cere-
mony than was Christmas, "Pascual" All day
long, services were held at the various churches
but at o'clock the great service Of the day was
heio in the cathedral The body of the church
slowly filled with people. who represented almost
entirely the old regime in Manila. over the gall
iery OF a house the Gale Pala 10. which skirts
one side of the large building. hung the orange and
red and the castle and lion Of Spain, while ex-
cept for the special guard which had been ordered
by the Provost Marshal 10 keep order in the Plaza.
and a few Americans thnly dotted here and
there throughout the audience that they were
hardly noticeable, there was scarcely anything TO
indicate this afternoon the change that has
taken place in the Philippines
CHILDREN IN CHURCH
Besides the civilian popllace gathered together
in the cathedral. there were the pupils from all
the church schools. under the watchfuI eyes of the
padres" or the "hermanas'-s sisters-the boys Of
the Jesuit School. In their immaculate white truu-
sers and double breasted blue coats the "nlnas"
from Santa Isabel, Santa Rosa Santa Catalina
hundreds Of girls dressed in black with red medal
ribbons around their necks. from which depended
a scapular. and their heads covered with black
the centre OF the nave. incosed by iron grating
sat number OF padres who took no active part
In the service. but who, later on. Joined in the !
procession
The Archbishop entered In robes Of bright scar |
let. the long train of which held up by some |
young native priests and. after crossing himself.
crossed To the altar rail and entered the chauceI |
where ne stood At the left OF the high altar under
a red canopy. Here while various prayers were
offered up 10y priest in the pulpit his scarlet
was taken on. and he assisted into a lonr
white alb over this WIS placed q stole and "a
small cope and over all D magnificent and heavily
embroidered cope with !oug train. There were
some twenty priests assisting I'm these operations
or about the altar IT is said that old times
FIVE hundred priests connected with The
cathedral aud some OF the duties assigned them
were made manifest In the time
acoytcs with crosses and long brass caudlcsticks
had been collecting at tho right Of the cathedral |
They red CassoCks. over which cottas Of !
lace, and following Filipino hand. were to
head the procession. Il took about three quarters
of hour for the procession file around the
square. There were three bands OF Filipino mu-
sicans, and all the religious orders I'm Manila
represented by white. blue. brown and black ropea
Friars with tonsured heads About the Arch
lnds. who long ago obliged take refuge
N Manila-those OF Cebu. Ieilo and NiEau-in long
,opes.
THE VISIT OF TIE PLAGUE.
The cases Of bubonic plague which developed in
Manila were genuine enough There has been but |
one death. and that took place before the matter
,ame to the attention OF the authorities. Two OF
he patients convalesciug. The houses
where the disease broke cut have been thor
,ughly quarantined. No cases have developed
md there is sickness OF even suspicious char