Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-28
The FEDERAL PARTY
The Members Threatened BY 4
Priest in the Philippines.
The NATIVES SWEARING ALLEGIANCE
Several skirmishes Between the Americans
and Insurgents - Peace Commission
Negotiating with Insurgents In
Northern PRnay.

Manila, Feb. 26.-Rev. Father Me-
Kinnon, who was formerly private
secretary to Mgr. Chappelle and who
Ia now pastor of the Ermita Catholic
church, informed representative OF
the Associated press yesterday that
there were upwards of 500 native
priests in the Philippines opposed to
the federal party and that these
would refuse to administer the sacra-
ment to federaists, because they be-
lieyed the federal party to be merely
cloak for Protestant attempts to
weaken the power Of the church OF
Rome. He referred to the federal
party as "resting on an insecure
foundation and destined to crumblc
soon," and asserted that the Metho-
dist and Presbyterian missionaries
were using unfair means to induce
Filipinos to leave the Catholic faith.
lie assaied the character of Senior
Buencamino and other evangelical
leaders and contcnded that only by
securing the cooperation and good
will Of the padres could the Ameri-
cans make permanent progress in the
Philippines.
Senior 'I'avera, president of the fed
eral party, when the views OF Fat her
Mcknnon were brought to his atten-
ton, replied: $50 much the better,
rs it will bring the matter TO an is
sue
When asked whether the members
oil the party would not leave il If
they learned that membership in
volyed their church standing, Senior
Tayera replied: "rhey probably
would II that were true; but | be-
liesc only u small proportion Of the
priests would exclude people from
their church privileges for such a
reason. We Filipinos did not make
an issue of separation of church and
state. This was lecreed by the United
States constitution. Nothing else is
tolerated under American sovereignty.
Whether federalsts approve or not,
they cannot be loyalists and yet op-
pose that doctrine, II the Catholic
authorities are not willing to accept
It, they are not patriotic. The fed
eral party may disintegrate after
civil government is generally estab-
lished In the Philippines, but the prin-
ciples of peace under American sover-
eighty will not disintegrate."
Senior Tavera asserted that the fed
erallsts who had relatives and friends
among the prominent insurgcut lead
ers were endeavoring by correspond
ence to induce them to surrender, al
though thus far without result.
Chaplain Fitzgerald administered
the onth of allegiance to 200 Ilocoans
at church in Vigan ON February %,
and q parish priest at Santa Catalina
administered similar oath to 700
natives February "a.
Lieut.. West, with detachment Of
the crew of the gunboat Laguna do
Ray, attacked 200 insurgents under
Caballos near Cavinta, province of
Laguna. After a hard fight of 40 min.
utes the insurgents were dispersed,
losing six killed and four captured.
A detachment Of the Forty-seventh
volunteer infantry encountered a body
Of insurgents In the province of Al
bay, killing Is and subsequently an
dther body killing nine. The Amcri-
cans had no casualties.
A squad Of the Eighteenth United
States infantry surprised n band OF
Ladrones at Moosin, island OF Panav.
killing sin The Americans captured
five rifles.
The peace commission is negotiat.
Ing with the insurgents in northern
Panay and there is u prospect Of an
aapI,, ourpnuJa,