The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-03
he SPEAKS
FOR FRIARS
Bishop HennesSy Gives Nota-
BILE Interview on the Subject.
SAYS MISTAKE WAS MADE
When the United States Dealt
With AguinaIdO.
SAYS MISTAKE WAS MADE

the policy of the federal government in
regard to tie Philippine friar question,
and holds the position that if that policy
IS carried TO a successful issue that q
great injustice win be done the religious
orders.
Upon being asked by a reporter for the
Eagle for an expression OF his views in
regard 10 the subject. ne said:
According to the reports which have
been spread broadcast over the country
the friars are the cause Of most Of our
trouble and to end it they must be ban
ished from the islands and their property
taken from them either by forced sale or
corascation. The Eagle which is usually
1ust and fair in its treatment of religious
questions has Joined the general chorus
of condemnation Of the friars In recent
issue it stated editorialy, that General
Funston and other commanding officers
were emphatic in their declarations that
the friars were at the bottom Of most OF
the trouble Again that the friars were
directly responsible for the insurrection
agains: Spain. Being heavy land owners
and adroit politicians, they were prac-
tically In control of the administration OF
affairs in the islands under Spanish rule.
The instruction, in fact, was revolt
against the tyranny Of the friars.
Now let us look into these statements
and find what they are worth as evidence
that the frlars must go. General Fun
eton and other commanding officers are
emphatic in their declarations that the
friars are at the bottom of the trouble.
II is well known and universally crafty
ing fact that this yoluble officer received
decisive orders to stop talking. Other
commanding officers like Leary of Guam
were likewise called home for a similar
weakness. Several Of these commanding
officers are at the present time before the
bar Of justice accused of brutality and
barbarity that would shame an Apache
Indian
while these officers were giving orders
60 turn the country into a bowling viii
derness' and 10 kill every man over ten
years Of age they found time in their
bloody butchery TO send out emphatic
declarations that the friars were at the
bottom Of the trouble.
1--WE have yet to read Of single in
stance where the friars have done any
thing to cause trouble since our army en-
tered Manila.
The Eagle ventures to say that the
friars were responsible for the insurrec-
ton against Spain. Well, ] doubt this
statement; one might with equal truth as
sert that the Republican party, having
control of our government is responsible
for the coal miners strike in Pennsyl-
yania. Our own Indians nave been In
chronic state Of instruction ever since
the strangers took control OF this country
and we are as responsible here as the
friaFs have been in the Philippines. But
what matter. We have nothing TO do
with conditions preceding our purchase Of
these islands. What concern is it 10 us
II the friars rebelled. or the people Our
troops rebelled also and effectualiy. The
islands are ours. Personally. 1 do not
consider their acquisition a matter for
congratulation. The question now is:How
are we 70 bring about thorough pachca-
ton Of that country? The administration
al Washington says by banishing
the friars because they are a disturbing
element. because again the people demand
IT. Now in what way are the friars
disturbing element? What have they done
iE any way to be disturbance Since we
purchased the islands the friars to the
number of 1900 were clustered in Manila
for safe keeping. The rebels who were
opposing our army also opposed the
friars. During the past year over 1900 Of
these friars have left the county not to
return There are today. according TO the
latest reports. but 475 left. What have
these done 10 merit expulsion? We have
not heard q word about them. except the
cruel and slanderous statement that they
" ere the living embodiment OF the seven
deadly sins. Nothing has been proved
against them as a body IN a collective
note TO the world issued some time ago
they invited Investigation of their affairs
ana dared their caluminiators TO substan-
tate their baseless accuations We have
heard nothing since. These men are I'M
der the protection Of our flag. and cannot
be punished under our laws, without trial
and conviction.
They have large property. Well. so
have Vanderbilt and others at home, but
that is not as yet a crime in this country.
The property owned by the Trinity church
IL Kew York could buy out the friar's
acres in the Philippines three times over.
Besides the friars' property is used ex-
elusively for charitable and religious pur-
poses and not for themselves, the people
sre the benehciaries. and have been for
over 800 years.
When we adopt the principles Of social
ism and anarchy Unsteady OF our constitu-
ticn it viii be time 10 talk OF banishing
people who possess property.
Another cry is the people do not want
the frsars therefore they ought to be ban
iEhed. The secretary OF state in a note To
the vatican saws ne has no charges 70
make against the friars. but the people
don't want them. and the administration
would be more al ease II they were ban
ished. Perhaps the same complaint could
be made against the Democratic party or
the A. P. a party. o. the Salvation Army
but We do not believe in curing the trouble
by Punishment Yet. Il we can legally
hanish the friars from our territory what
IL TO prevent similar treatment &c our
parties al home. II is a hsd and danger
Gus wedge to drive into the rock OF our
liberty
But is Il true that the people do not
want the fsiars2 The best evidence in the
case is thas % the people themselves and
not the emphatic declarations Of gener-
ais whose garruions propensities have
been publicly and officially condemned.
7 have before ne q eablegram from
Eenila addressed Il the bishop OF Grant
Rapsds, ailcs-. 5ated July l7th and insert
ed in the Evening Post OF that city. which
sdectually puts an ED &c this contention.