Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-27
THE PHILIPPINE PRESS
Peculiarities Of Newspapers Published
in Manila.
NATIVE WRITER'S ACTIVE
Eight Journals Printed in the
Spanish Language.
AIMS OF ISLAND EDITORS

From thu. Shanghai Mercury.
There are eight newspapers in Manila,
printed wholly or mainly in Spanish. Three
of them at least are faction organs pure
and simple. La Democracia being the prop
erty and mouthpece of leaders of the fed
eral part, Ell Diario de Filipinas represent
ing an element which calls itself the con-
sentative party and Is mainly concerned
with exposing the personal and political
foibles of the federals, and La Libertas
edited by Dominican friars and standing
always for friar interests. La Fraternidad
is an autonomist print, which voices the
sentiments and thinly wells the ambitions
of Pedro A. Palermo, who negotiated the
treaty of Biac-na-bato between the Span
iards and the insurgents, and vainly wished
Spain to give him title of nobility and
81 100000 for that service. and who has
since worn several political coats. FL Critic
del Pueblo is printed partly in Tagalog Its
sympaahies are for autonomy. but 1t is most
temporarily written and a deserved favorite
with the natives. Ell Noticiero, edited by
Jesuits. seeks to print the news inpartially
and to argue out its editorials with every
appearance OF fairness. Ell Progreso and
Ell Commerce. are Independent. All Of these
papers have organized news sources
throughout the archipelago, and several of
them take special care to gather from vari-
Gus quarters material designed to keep their
readers in touch with the general as we'll as
the Local field.
The Friar Question.
Friar enjoyment Of the insular benefices
occupies foremost place in editorial discus
sion, although opposition to the federal par
ty runs close second. Thus those who
would escape the swelter of commission
routine. military orders. clippings from
home papers already grown yellow and
shipping misinformation should not fail to
read the three organs for entertainment as
we'll as for instruction and the others In
conformity with the custom Of the port
One of the practices of the newspaper con-
stituency here Is that 1t buys everything
offered. Since the advertising constituency
as impartially supports every publication,
the able editors may slug away without the
slightest anxiety over expenses. The box
offices unfailingly reflect satisfying appre-
citation Of the star performers. Receipts do
not warrant luxury in any quarter, but they
are sufficient for practical purposes. There
is apparently no thought of expecting from
native enterprise of this character heavy
returns. Modest living contents the work
ers and investors derive the major part Of
their dividends in the satisfaction OF getting
a reading more or less wide for their polit-
ical views. Zeal is q motive to be counted
in native work, cash being. possibly in part
Of necessity, quite subordinate.
Organ of Federal Party.
La Democracia thinks itself on top be-
cause the civil authorities have practi-
cally committed themselves to the fortunes
of the federal party. They have caused the
appointment Of three members OF that party
to the only places reserved for natives in
the general legislature Of the islands, and
otherwise have manifested their preference
for the party and their faith in the men
who lead 1t. 1t seems more than possible
that there will be regrets this
because while the federal party commend
ed itself primarily as an agency for paci-
cation, and doubtless did good service to
that end, 1t never embodied all the peace
aspirations of the islands. Success in Sc
curing official favor exclusively for itself
has naturally stirred animosities against
1t. Now come reports Of discomfort among
its own members, with charges that its
president, inflated by his personal luck in
landing well, has assumed to assert DOW
ers reserved to themselves heretofore by the
directors, exercised by them, and which
they have never surrendered
The newspapers. have not been slow to
preach the doctrine Of free speech or to
exemplify their understanding of a free
press. Since all the outs are opposed to the
federal party, official disbursement having
ignored every other political interest, free
press and free speech are both alert for
openings for attack upon the authorities
should the sense of personal Importance at
tr1buted to the president of the federal
party develop jealousies or factions within
that organization the government might
find Itself forced to support its own veicbt
Making no doubt that it is strong enough
for such an undertaking that way to nuh-
lie confidence Is certainly roundabout Tba
present fact is that La Democracia tb,nLs
IL rules the roost, and many other papers
dispute its right to do SO with necl 800
ers ruff1ed and head lowered
Red and Yellow Words.
This is the reply of La Democratic IN q
in 7 7
declared that there was no opposition 70 H.,
friars, except within the federal party.
1t Is not the federal party's fault if tho
Filipino people hate the thievisb 60
without country or religion, which Is con,
stltuted by the so-called friars The friar
Is outside Of all control. He does no+ oar.
for the pope, and the best proof Ia tb.t
he has miserably swindled the holy father
into sending his blessing to Liberals tho
ihoSt ueIamatory, Photographic, disgusting
ana shameless publication ever seen In the
fedara1 1t It Is not the fault of the
!edefai party II We see on all sides mani
festations against the friars, and If the
irlars We're not trying again to Interfere
In our politics we, the Filipinos, would also
let them alone. "i"o
:. Nobody here attacks the Catholic re-
Hon., but We all admit that il the friars
persist in their criminal attitude. the Cath
Ollie Church IS bound to suffer, from the
ca Atoli GU against It's RIDICULOUS min
listers. Whether or not the country changes
It's religion, it Is not the business of the
FEDERAL party to interfere. 1t Is not the
business OF the federal party If the friars
are SO ridiculous, as it was not our party
that picked out from the dungheaps up In
the mountains of the peninsula the worst
looking ragamuffins of Europe; neither is it
responsible for their grotesquely shaved
heads, or for the clown sacks which they
use as garments, or for the utter lack nr
manners which characterizes the gang and
makes the friars look like so many buff
foons.
La Libertas Abusive
'Libertas tried to insinuate that the neo
pie Of Cavite loved the friars, and when
the commission saw the unanimous ex-
preston of anti-friar feeling which took
place in the province. the friar paper grew
furious and heaped insults on the federals
who accompanied the commission How
can the hands which write Libertas ever
hold the holy host? It is impossible that
God should allow the miracle of the e,,cb.