The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-07
AMERICAN PRIESTS
May Replace the Spanish Frjars In
The Philippine Islands.
GIBBONS TO TELL POPE
Of the Wishes Of the Administration
in Regard to the Matter.
ROOT HAS DISCUSSED THE CASE
With Archbishop Ireland and Tells Him
Where He Stands.
THE SUBJECT WILL BE TALKED OVER
Among the Churchmen Who Are to Meet
in Baltimore to Attend the
Martinelli Ceremonies.
ROOT HAS DISCUSSED THE CASE
With Archbishop Ireland and Tells Him
Where He Stands.
THE SUBJECT WILL BE TALKED OVER

Washington, May Git Is believed In
Washington that when Cardinal Gibbons
leaves this country next week for Rome
he will so charged with the delicate mis-
sion of presenting to the pontin, Leo XIII.
the attitude of this administration on the
question OF the future of the friars In
the Philippine Islands. The admlnlstra-
ton Is firmly and unalterably opposed to
the return of the frars to the islands. 1t
Is believed here that Cardinal Gibbons,
too, believes their return TO people who
fear and hate them would be injudiclous.
and that he concurs fully In the sugges.
ton of Archbishop Chapellc the apostolic
delegate, that American priests should be
sent to replace the friars Indeed, In view
of the close relations that have already
existed between Cardinal Gibbons and
Archbishop Chapolle, it IL the belief here
that Archbishop Chapele's conversion to
the wishes of the Philippine commission
that American priests be sent to the Phll
ppIncs in the place of the friars was
largely due TO Cardinal Gibbons, whose I'M
sweWing loyalty to American institutions
has beea proved again and again.
1t is assumed here that the whole ques.
tlor of the fate OF the Philippine frlars
and the task OF finding American priests
to take their places in the Islands viii be
very fully discussed by the prelates who
are now assembling in Baltimore to wilt
ness the ceremony of COMFORTING the bi'
rctta on Cardinal Martlnclli ut the cutho.
dral next Wednesday,
All three OF the orders whose frlars arc
involved IL the question will he repre-
scented In Baltimore. The three orders
are the Augustinian, the Dominican and
the Franciscan, the fourth order of Recol'
/ la NlR
gustlnlans. Cardinal Murtlnelli himself Is
The prior general Of the Augustinlans. The
Domnicans VIII be represented by Very
Rev. j. T. Moran, prior Of the Dominican IAN
Francisrans- viii have an sble9representa-
tive In Father Godfrey of the Franciscan
monastery, near this city. Members OF tae
Jesuit and other orders, MS well as Dlsn-
ops and archbishOps from all over TINS
country. VIII be present. Indeed, the
Catholic church OF the whole United states
win he represented, and ample opportunity
will he offered TO canvass the situation
Cardinal Gibbons Will he able 70 learn
hoy many American priests can " sent
to the Philippines at once, and what ar
rangements can be made for stondy
relay of eager, sclfsacrlhcing young men
10 take the places of those who break
down under the strain of their religions
work or who succumb to the climate.
The representatives Of tho various orders,
too. may be able to offer some sugees'
tions as to the solution of difficult prob
lpm namely, the future disposition OF the
Philippine frlars who are debarred from
returning to their former homes. Tho
suggestion Of Judge TAFT that this gov
ornment purchase the enormous land hold
ings OF the orders may also be discussed
Archbishop ireland OF st. Paul has been
IN Washington for some time, and he Is
expected To be In Baltimore Tuesday.
He has been In frequent conference with
Secretary Root who represents the adj
ministratlon In all matters pertaining to
the Philippines With him Mr.. Root dis
cussed the situation very fully. and his
assistance was requested to secure the
consent Of the pope TO the admlnistra-
tinn's wish for the Punishment OF the
frlnrs 1t Is understood that Archbishop
hons with Che wishes OF the adminlstra-
ton. In order that he may present the
subject properly when IN Rome. The
friendly sentiments entertained by the
administration toward the church are
thoroughly appreciated by Cardinal Glib
hons. Indeed, Or. HILL the acting sec
rotary of state, Is one of Cardinal Glib
hons warmest friends, and viii be the
latter's guest at the cathedral Wednes-
arrive In Rome before the advent OF Arch
bishop Chapelle.
| II Is Inevitable when the American car
| dnai makes his report to the sovereign
| p0ntiff Of the affairs of the church In
| America that tho Philippine question VIII
come mp. The gathering OF the church
I dignitaries In Baltimore this week will
/ aforn Cardinal Gibbons nm excellent op-
| portunity 10 sound the sentiment OF the
! impress upon the pope the wisdom OF
consenting and cooperating with the
wishes of the administration In the set
| Element of the Philippine question.