The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-19
ORDERED To
 PHI yPINES America. friars Will Go
 t|Archipelago. TO RELIEVE SPANIARDS Two Priests Will Go from United States at Once
TO RELIEVE SPANIARDS
An Important Step Toward the solu. tion of the Troubles in the Is-
 lands-Distinguished and
 Able Clergymen Chosen.

Philadelphia, Sept 1S.-An important step toward the solution of the troubles in the Philippine Islands caused by the presence of the Spanish friars there was taken today at Villa Nova College when the Most Rev. Thomas Rodriguez, O. S. A. of Rome Prior-General of the Au- gustinian Order throughout the world, announced that Rev. Daniel o. OMa- honey of Andover Mass. and Rev. J. E.. McErlane of Villa Nova. had been or dered 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 followed in a short time. 1t Is believed, by several other American Augustinians. Both clergymen chosen are distinguisheo and able members of the order. They were selected from among about a dozen volunteers who offered their services to the Prior-General in case he needed American Augustinians for the Philip pines. Many of the Spanish friars in the Philippines belong to the Order.
 Father O'Mahoney Talks.
 we go there to carry out the pro- gram which has been decided on by the Prior General" said Father O'Mahoney this afternoon. We are fully cognizant of the great work done by the friars of ours and other orders in the Philippines and go to them as brothers working in the same cause. We have no idea how long we will remain or how many Amer ican Augustinians will be sent to the is- lands"
 The announcement was made during the celebration of the Feast of St. Thom- as. Patron of Villa Nova, which was ob- served with impressive exercises. At s a m. high mass was celebrated by Prior General Rodriguez. and at II o'clock a reception was rendered the distinguished Augustinian who has been in this coun- try a little more than month.
 The American provincial, Rev. Martin J. Sieraghty, 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 the United States. An address was also made by the Rev. Dr. l.. A. de Lury. President of Villa Nova. All the ad- dresses were delivered in Latin.
 The prior general. in replying to the welcome. among other things said:
 Prior General Speaks.
 Throughout all time the governments of the world have appealed to the sov- ereign pontiff as a peacemaker. 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 cant must be put aside and the facts only considered God fearing men will do right and justice.
 "Unfortunately nearly all the state ments furnished from abroad to the American press on the friar question are filled with calumny and mendacity 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 villify and maign our brothers.
 "I speak not as who does not know the conditions in the Philippines. l speak with a personal knowledge of the priests and the people"