Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-19
Members Of Auxu.ti.i.n orssr l.
This Country Ordered Out.
THE PIONEER AMERICAN PRIEsrs.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. September 1S.-
An important step towards the solution of
the troubles In the Philippine islands
caused by the presence OF the Spanish
friars there. was taken to-day at Wills
Nova College, when the Most Rev.
Thomas Rodriguez. o. s. A.. Of Rome
prior general of the Augustinian Or1eN
throughout the world, announced that
Rev. Daniel O'Mahoney. of Andovsr
Mass. and Rev. ]. e. McErlaine, OF
Villa Nova, had been ordered to the
Philippines as pioneers In the movement
of American priests to those islands. to
succeed the spaniards. The two priests
will leave for Manila within the next
two weeks. and will be followed In short
time. it is believed. by several other
American Augustinians. Both c1ergymen
chosen are distinguished and able mem-
bers Of the order. They were selected
from among about dozen volunteers.
who offered their services to the prior gem
erat, in case he needed American
Augustinians for the Philippines
Many of the Spanish friars in the Philip
pines belong to the order.
we go tnefe TO carry out the pro-
gramme which has been decided on by
the prior-general, said Mr. Mahoney.
I'VE are fully cognizant of the work
done by the friars of our and other or
ders IN the Philippines. and go to them
as brothers. working In the same cause.
We have no idea how long we will re-
main. or how many American Augustine
ians will be sent to the islands,
The announcement was made during
the celebration of the feast OF ST.
Thomas, patron of Villa Nova, which
was observed with impressive exercises,
Reception to Prior-GenernI.
Ats P. NJ, high mass was celebrated
by Prior-General Rodriguez. and at II
o'clock reception was rendered to the
distinguished Augustianian, who has been
in this country a little more than a
month. The American provincial, Rev.
Martin j. Geraghty. delivered an address
OF welcome to the prior general on behalf
of the American province. which takes
IN all the communities of the order In tlla
United States. An address also wnas
made by Rev. DR.. L.. A. -Delury, president
Of Villa Nova. All the addresses were
delivered in Latin. The prior-general. Ii,
replying to the welcome. among other
things said:
Throughout all time the governments
of the world have appealed to the SOW
ereign pontiH as peace-maker The
American government has appealed to
him. and rightly so, to settle the trou-
bles in the Philippines We have no fear
of the outcome. Prejudice and can't must
be put aside. and the facts oaly cons
sidered. God-fearing men will do right
and justice. a
Unfortunately. nearly all the state
ments furnished from abroad to the
American press on the Friar question are
filed with calumny and mendacfty In
regard to the Friars in the island. We do
not blame the Philippine Commission for
any Of the opinions that body holds. for
we know the information furnished to it
was mainly obtained from our enemies.
men who have stopped at nothing to Wilt
fy and malign our brothers. speak not
as one who does not know the conditions
in the Philippines. ! speak with a per.
soral knowledge of the priests and the
people"