The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-05-12

those of the 'Katipunan triangle, man
aged to so manipulate things that the
friars were thought by some to be the
chief cause of grievance. But Aguinal-
dos two letters to a professor in St.
Thomas University are sufficient to
show that the agitation OF the natives
was directed against Spain's corrupt
representative officials.
"The Filipinos are a civilized, reli-
gious, honest and brave people. In
treating with them we can we'll afford
to be magnanimous. The spirit of the
constitution which fired the courage Of
the men OF '76 should guide us yet, for
just as soon as we part from it will
como the republics ruin and decay"
In an interview with representative
of Donahoe's Magazine, Father Nc
Quad gave additional information re-
garding the friars and the Filipinos as
follows:
'What is the secret of the animosity
against the friars?"
The friars are the embodiment of
Spanish loyalty and have always quelled
and repressed every movement or agita-
tior on the part of the natives against
Spain. Thus the Filipinos cannot fail
to look upon the friars as old enemies. :"
"Then you do not believe the stories
that are circulated to the effect that
the Filipinos have no confidence in their
pastors or native clergy?"
II take no stock in such stories, and
the people who have spread them have
not been on the islands, or they were
badly informed and talked in ignorance
of the real situation. AS far as I OBJ
served the natives have great respect
for the secular clergy who in turn are
we'll worthy their confidence"
'Wl1at do you think of the capabili-
ties Of the people for government?
II believe they are more capable of
governing themselves to-day than are
the Japanese. They start in with Chris
tianily. which the Japanese as nation
have not, though it, was given to them
at the cost OF the blood of martyrs"
"What gives you faith in their capa-
bilit;es?"
Il believe that any people among
whom I saw such conditions prevailing
as obtain in Manila are capable of do
ing great deal for themselves. For in
stance. look at their educational stand
ing. Before leaving the Philippines
read as an undisputed fact that just prior
to the second rebellion against Spanish
sovereignty. there were 117,ooo children
enrolled in the schools; in the Univer-
sity of St. Thomas, conducted by Do
minicans, there we're students of the
ology, law and medicine, and the grad
yates were natives. In the great OBJ
servatory of Malate there was large
college conducted by Jesuits, where the
native youth were being taught all the
branches of collegiate education. 1t is
a noteworthy fact that the natives of
the Philippine Islands can read and
write. The Fi]ipinos are considered by
some to be better educated than the
rural population of Europe, and the
percentage of illiteracy among them is
very low indeed.
''TLeir morality has been reflected
upon by some cold observers, who have
returned to America after four days
residence Oil the island. In reply to such
aspersions I would say that with the
single exception of the Catholic Irish,
there is 10 race that I believe to be
superior to them in respect to morality"
"What is your opinion as to the hest
methods to be pursued to bring to an
end these hostilities in the island?"
81 say unreservedly by means of con-
Citation"
"What do you mean by conciliation
in this case?"
"By listening to the people; by Civ
ing them means of self-government; and
showing consideration for their habits
ard religion"