The Topeka state journal., 1902-07-23
LEAVE 1T TO THE POPE.
Archbishop Ireland Says Friar
Question Will Be All Right.

st. Paul, Mimi, July 23.-Archbishop
Ireland in an interview with a repreSen-
tative of the Associated Press, reviewed
the progress of the negotiations con-
Quoted between Judge Taft and the va
tican and took to task certain Catholic
organizations that have assumed to
question the fairness of the administra-
ton toward their co-religionists. The
archbishop said:
Yes. the news from Rome is quite
satisfactory and I am sure. quite cor
rect. Private advices coming to me
from the most reliable source confirm
in all respects the dispatches given by
the Associated Press The sovereign
pontiff and other Roman authorities are
delighted with Governor Taft person
ally, and with the negotiations in
course of progress between him and the
vatican. Reports sent by the cores
pendents of certain London papers to
the effect that the pontiff was displeas-
ed with the manner of acting of the
commission Of cardinals appointed to
treat with Governor Taft were abso-
mornings Rome dispatch the pontiff
assured Governor Taft that he was
most satisfied and happy at the results
so far obtained and that he was con-
fident the negotiations begun in Rome
would be the starting point of a COM
plete and satisfactory solution of the
question under discussion
1.-THE vatican and Governor Taft came
easily and quickly to a substantial
agreement; the question for the vatican
is what practical methods are to be
adopted to put the agreement into exc
cution. With a little time certain mat
tiers now seeming to offer great diff
culties will be made. by quiet, skillful
touches of pontifcal diplomacy, to work
themselves out without friction or ex-
citement; and so, when in Manila, final
conclusions are to be reached, things
will have been ripe and will turn out
all right This is the vatican method OF
proceeding: it is wise and prudent
method. Mr.. Taft understands the
matter and leaves Rome thoroughly
satisfied and hopeful. There can be no
doubt that the active cooperation OF
the vatican is now secured to the Amer
lean government in it's task of pacifica-
ton in the Philippines and that In the
results to come the administration at
Washington will have ample reason to
felicitate itself for having sent Cover
nor Taft to Rome.
"And now, it is to be hoped there will
be among certain classes of Catholics
in America cessation of movements and
declarations such as we have had recent
occasion to hear of regarding religious
matters in the Philippines. The pope
teaches those Catholics to trust the
American government, as they seeming
ly have been heretofore unwilling to do.
"In his conversation with Governor
Taft he expressed the highest esteem
church matters, and remarked that he
had often pointed towards the United
States as setting an example well worth
copying. His words ought to signify
something to those who profess to take
him as their leader and guide. At any
rate, the direction of Catholic affairs is
his business, not that of irresponsible
church societies or newspaper editors.
and when he informs Catholics that any
one natter is in his hands they ought
promptly to step aside and allow him
to have charge of it. The question of
religion in the Philippines is now for
mally and officially his own; and 1t
should be considered as such. A few
there may remain who still believe they
have a better understanding than he
has and will insist on telling him how
to handle it; but such as those are few,
and at least it will be clear that they
hold no brief whatever from the Catho-
lie body at large
'-The agitation, such as 1t was, in
certain Catholic quarters did no honor
to those who participated in it. As is
now proven, they spoke and acted with
out due knowledge and certainly with
out proper regard for the government
of their country. They should first have
been absolutely certain that injustice
had been done to their co-religionists,
and, next. if any injustices had been
done, they should have sought to rem
officials before raising in public irritat-
ing clamors- 1t was rankest rashness
and rankest injustice to intimate thai
the government intended to proselytize
in the Philippines, or to do aught tc
detach the inhabitants from the Catho-
lie faith. To know in the slightest de-
gree Mr.. Roosevelt. Mr.. Root or Mr.
Taft is to be certain that nothing of the
kind could have been thought of Oh
could have been tolerated. Never did
there reside in the White house a mar
more fair minded and impartial in re-
ligious matters, more resolute to give
rights granted them by the constitution
and to protect them in those rights thar
Theodore Roosevelt During his ad-
ministration it is unqualified1y absurd
| to imagine that governmental acts
could be such as to deny oC impair thl