The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-14

u WltndfaWal OF lne SpaillSil-Spedh-
ing friars from the Philippine
islands, in progress between the Vati-
can and Governor Taft, after a prom
Use of early and harmonious conclusion
should now appear to be entering a
stage of difficulty. 1t is also to be re-
GREETED that there should appear to be
danger of stirring up OF prejudices tc
no good purpose.
The friar question in the Philippines
is very simple, if we may credit the
testimony of American officials deputed
to study it. In course of years, by
acts and ways in no way rejecting
upon the church to which they are at
tached, but natural under the demoral-
izing influences of Spanish administra-
tion large numbers of the ecclesiastical
brotherhoods in the archipelago have
become obnoxious to the natives, whose
pacification is retarded by their pres
ence. These friars, or many of them,
being Spanish in speech and sympathy,
have systematically obstructed the
work of the American government and
their continuance in the islands would
vastly increase our difficulties.
In this situation, the government at
Washington, through Governor Taft,
proposes to the Vatican the purchase
of all the lands and property owned by
these brotherhoods, at a price to be
fixed by arbitration; and also urges
the authorities at Rome to recall these
friars and to substitute priests who
speak the English tongue and who are
acquainted with the conditions of
American administration including the
complete separation between church
and state. There is nothing unreason-
able in this proposition; on the con-
trary, it has the support of the fore
most American Catholics, who wish
their church to put it's best men in the
new dependencies, in order that it may
be built up In the same manner and
with the same success which has at
tended it's career in the United States,
proper.
But it seems that certain Spanish in
nuences are at work in opposition to
the proposals of Governor Taft; and
it Is possible that these are also respon-
sble for the endeavor to carry this
delicate question into the realm of sec
tartan controversy. On this basis it is
recent report, so plainly without foun-
dation, that American teachers in the
public schools in the Philippines were
conducting Protestant propaganda.
No doubt the brotherhoods whose re-
moval our government, with the CO.
operation of many eminent Catholics, is
urging upon the Vatican, would be glad
to see division of American public
opinion on this question, corresponding
with lines of creed, so that the whole
matter would end In bitter sectarian
quarrel at home, with nothing done in
the Philippines.
But we feel satisfied that this hope,
il it exists, will not be realized. There
is no room for it. In the United States
the Catholic church has every freedom
enjoyed by any other church and is
prospecting even more conspieuously
than most churches. So 1t will be in
the Philippines, If the American basis
shall prevail. The one thing which
could hinder such advancement on it's
part would be an attitude of resistance
by its Philippine priesthood to Ameri-
can influences and methods. and that
is inconceivable.
A novel plan has been adopted by
the chief of the New York street
cleaning department to promote So