The Iola register., 1902-08-08
ADVICE IGNORED
Catholic Societies do not Heed Ireland
Anymore

Anymore
Chicago, Aug. 5.-The American
Association of Catholic Societies met
this afternoon and evening at the
Young Mems Christian Association
hall. In the afternoon, after the
addresses of welcome by DR.. II. S.
Taylor, on behalf of Mayor Harrison,
and M II. Griten, on behalf of the
Catholic societies of the city, tho con-
vention went into executive session
and organized. Short addresses we're
made by Bishop Messmer, of Green
Bay, Wis. ,lMcFaul, of Trenton, Nj,
and by the president Of the federation.
1t was evident from the tenor of the
remarks made in the afternoon that the
convention would not heed the mani
festo of Archbishop ireland, warning
them against u discussion of the
administrations methods in the,Philip-
pines.
At the evening meeting b shop
McFaul was the principal speaker and
directed his attention to the treatment
of the friars and the school question
in the Philippines. The bishop said
in part:
'"rhe calm, intelligent observer
must admit that some of the state
ments made in the public.press regard
ing the situation in the Philippines
were either incorrect or exaggerated.
"There was, however, very sub.
stantial foundation ofltruth in most of
the reports, which amply justified the
structures made upon those accounta
tbe for the abuse of power.
'No one is foolish enough to admit
that in affairs Of so important a ma
ture mere details are conclusive, par
ticularly when made by interested
parties. We had already been warned
to be on our guard by previous con-
radictions Of reports which we're
afterward proved true and found
worse than at first suspected. When
the news arrived that the Catholic
churches in the Philippines were
desecrated and looted, officers of high
rank in the army attempted to refute
the charges, yet the desecration: and
looting of those sacred edifces are
now SO certain that claims for DANA
ges to ecclesiastical property will be
accepted by the government.
Reports, too, of the frightful
spread of drunkenness and immorali-
ity after the occupation OF Manila by
the American tarmy were vigorously
assailed. Is there now anyone who
has the audacity to question their
truth? Since then we have all heard
of the "water cure" and the murder
Gus orders issued by an American,
general. The preparation of these
outrages were not known for o time;
they were, however, so nagrant that
it was impossible to keep them from
the knowledge OF the Public. The in
PRODUCTION alone of the public schools
system was just cause for alarm.
The speaker then declared that -the
federation is deeply interested in OBJ
tanning just treatment for the friars
in the Philippines who had suffered
he declared, "under so many cruel
calumnies.h
Bishop McFaul charged that in
selecting school teachers for the Phil
ippines discrimination had been prac-
ticed against the Catholics, because
of a total Of 9G7 teachers who, he said
had been sent 10 the island, but eight
teen or nineteen were Catholics.
"The impression has gone abroad, ("
the bishop said "that America is fur
nishing educational facilities to the
Philippines for the first time and that
the people were in u state of dense
ignorance. This is another calumny.
During centuries the friars dwelt with
the tribes of the Philippines and it is
to them that they are indebted for
whatever they possess OF education
and religion. They are chaste and a
pure people, unaware of many of the
vices of civilization until American
soldiers occupied their SOIL"
Preceding the address of Bishop
McFaul, a short speech was made by
Bishop Muldoon, of Chicago, who
was chosen chairman of the executive
board and Nicholas Conner, of Du-
buque, Ia, president of the German
Catholic societies, spoke briefly. All
the speakers outlined the purposes OF
the federation.
The convention will meet in iexecu-
tive session at 8 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
CIHRREn To DEATH