The Washington times., 1902-07-09
Charges of Proselyting
May, However, Have
Very Bad Effect.
CABLEG2AM FROM xlR. TAFT
Secretary Root Has Directed An inquiry
Into the Charge That Protestants
ATe Tying to Wean Filipino Roman
Catholics Fem Religion.

A cablegram received yesterday from
Governor Taft at Rome shows that the
negotiations with the Vatican are pro-
ceeding as satisfactorily as can be ex-
pected, notwithstanding the charges be-
ing made in this country of proselyting
by Protestant school teachers in the
Philippines. Fer several weeks these
charges have been appearing in certain
recognized church publications, and sew
e-al days ago long petition adopted by
the diocese Of Pittsburg was sert to
President Roosevelt. at Oyster Bay. and
referred TO Secretary Root
The Secretary of War has ei-
rected Vice Governor Wright at Ma
Mia to investigate these charges, and
if any teacher has been attempting to
change the religion Of the natives 1t Is
the purpose CT the President and the
Secretary Of War to punish the guilty
person by dismissal from the service
1t is feared here that these charges
upon being reported to the Vatican may
seriously interfere with the negotiations
fer the dismissal OF the friars from the
Philippine Islands, AMI cause emhar-
Iassment 10 Governor Taft
Spanish FriaTs Opposed.
While the Government is opposed to
the retention in the Philippines of the
Spanish friars who have been expelled
from their provinces by the natives. it
is not the intention Of the officials to
permit school teachers to interfere with
the religion of the natives.
The petition received by President
Roosevelt and forwarded to Vice Gov
ernor Wright is signed by F. W. In
mekus. president, and P. H. Mcclure,
secretary. and declares:
THAT we do protest against such
prcselyting, and OF behalf OF the 10000
members composing the Federation CT
Catholic Societies OF the Diocese OF Pitts
burg, Pa. appeal to his Exceilency. the
President ef the United States, to inssi-
tute a searching inquiry. and. if found
correct, b. the powers vested in him as
Chief Executive CT the cation, to apply
such measures as will lead not only to
of said abuses and injus-
tices, but also to the removal of the
guilty parties
Called for Report.
Acting upon this request Secretary
Root has called upon Vice Governor
Wright for a report upon the charges.
1t is net believed at the War Department
that the charges are true. 1t Is pointed
out how absurd it is to suppose that
teachers who cannot. speak the Span
ish language, or talk the seyenty-six
different dialects OF the natives Of the
Philippines. Of whom only five per cent
can speak English. can secure converts
to any particular religion.
1t is known that of the 1000 school
teachers appointed for work in the
Philippine schools. nineteen of them are
Catholics. OF the religion of the re-
mainder nothing is known at the War
Department. 1t is declared that there
are 10000 native school teachers in the
as compared to only 1000
American teachers, and that the Ameri-
cans are almost wholly employed in
teaching the natives the English Ian
guage.
There is no evidence as yet that these
charges have interfered with the mis-
sion of Governor Taft at Rome. though
the reports received at the War De-
partment from Governor Taft show a
persistency of purpose on the part Of
the vatican with reference TO the reten-
tion In the islands Of some of the church
teachers. 1t IS believed by Governor
Taft that some compromise will be
necessary, owing to the objections Of
the church orders to absolutely with
draw from the archipelago. This COM
promise will include the retention, how
ever, of only q few friars in charge Of
the high Catholic universities. and will
not extend to the parish priests who are
SO Objectionable to the natives.
Lies With Church.
The latest cablegram from Governor
Taft makes it apparent that the present
lies with the church itself.
The Pope is willing to grant some of the
made by Governor Taft, but
is trying to get the four church orders
to agree 70 the proposals. first. These
orders have SO far failed to indicate
their approval, fearing that the money
10 be received from the friar lands will
go TO the church treasury instead OF
being distributed to the church orders
n proportion to the amount Of property
owned by them.
Nest Serious Problem.
This is now regarded as the most Sc
rious problem connected with the nego-
iations. Under military government II
was an easy matter to deport the friars
;ummarily in the interest of peace, but
here are some officials who profess 20
believe that this Government would
hesitate TO resort to summary action
how that peace is declared. The vatican
las also raised the point that as the
Spanish priests are Spanish subjects
hey come within the provisions of Ar
icle N of the Paris Treaty OF Peace,
which says:
In explanation of this it is said that
.early all the Spanish priests AMI monks
lave declared their allegiance to Spain
md are now able to avail themselves of
his provision of the treaty, which would
interfere with their summary
.eportation from the Philippines should
he church insist upon their rights.
1t is believed. however, by the officials
It the War Department that the with
travail of the friars will be made by
.htn- ,V t-rf, 20