Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-08-09
DEFENDS THE FRIARS
Bishop McFaui Addressed Catholic
Societies on Philippine Question.
ATTACKS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

Said Its introduction Was Just Cause
For Alarm, AS Il Contributed largely
TO DEMONSTRATING Amerlea-FrIars
Educated the Natives.
Chicago. Aug. 6.-The American
Federation of Catholic Societies met
yesterday afternoon and evening at the
Young Mems Christian Association
Hall. In the afternoon. after the ad-
dress OF welcome by DR.. II. s. Taylor,
on behalf OF Mayor Harrison, and NJ.
f. Hirten, on behalf of the Catholic
societies OF the city, the convention
went into executive session. 1t was
evident from the tenor OF the remarks
made in the afternoon that the conven-
ton would not regard the manifesto
OF Archbishop Ireland, warning them
against discussion OF the administra-
tons methods in the Philippines.
AT last evenings meeting Bishop
McFaul, of Trenton. N. j., was the
principal speaker, and directed his at
tention to the treatment of the friars
and the school question in the Phil.
ippines. The bishop said In part:
The calm, Intelligent observer must
admit chat some OF the statements
made in the public press regarding
the situation In the Philippines were
either incorrect or exaggerated. There
was nevertheless a very substantial
foundation OF truth In most Of the re-
ports, which amply justified the strict
ures made upon those accountable for
the abuse OF power. When the news
arrived that the Catholic churches in
the Philippines were desecrated and
looted officers OF high rank in the
army attempted to refute the charges.
yet the dissertation and footing of
these sacred edifices are now so GER
tain that claims for damages will be
accepted by the government.
Reports, too. Of the trightful spread
OF drunkenness and immortality after
the occupation Of Manila by the Amer,
lean asny were vigorously assailsd.
Is there now any one who has the
audacity to question their truth? Sincei
then we have all heard OF the water
cure and the murderous orders issued.
tration OF these outrages was unknown
for time; they were, however, so fia-
grant that it was imposszSe to keen
them from the knowledge OF the pub
lie.
THE introduction alone of the pub
lie school system was Just cause for
alarm, as the system has been one of
the chief factors in leaving millions
OF Americans outside the boundaries
Of any religious organization, and that,
In fact, has contributed largely to the
! notwithstanding OF America.
\ "The impression has gon. abroad
that America is furnishing educational
fackties 10 the Filipinos for the first
time. and that the people were In a
state OF dense Ignorance This Is an
other calumny. During centuries the
friars dwelt with the tribes of the
Philippines, and it Is to them that they
are indebted for whatever they pNs.
sess OF education and religion. They
are q ehaste and q pure people, I'M
aware 81 many OF the vices of civiliza-
ton until American soldiers occupied
their soil. The frtars civilized and
Christianired the FYlipinos, and they
had not done their work with the rife,
as too often had been the case in our
treatment OF the Indiana"
The speaker then declared that the
Federation il deeply interested in OBJ
tanning just treatment FOR the friars
In the Philippines, wAe had suffered
so many cruel ealumnies.~
Bishop McFaul also charged that IN
selecting the school teachers for the
Philippines discrimination had been
praeticed against the Catholics. be-
cause OF a total Of es7 teachers who,
he said. had been ssnt to the islands,
but Is or - were Catholics.