The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-19
STEP ID SETTLE
 FRIAR QUESTION
Two American Priests Ordered
 10 the Philippines
BOTH ARE AUGUSTlNIANS
Movement Means the Beginning of Re- moval of Spanish Frlars and Suh- stitution of Americans-The
 Rev. Rodriguez Speaks.

Philadelphia, September IS. = An i'm portant step toward the solution of the troubles in the Philippine islands caused by the presence of the Spanish friar5 there was taken today at Villa Nova col- lege when the Most Rev. Thomas Rodri- guez, O. S. A, of Rome, prior general of the Augustinian order throughout the world. announced flat the Rev. Daniel o. O'Ms honey of Ardover, Mass, and the Rav. J. p. MsErlane of Villa Nova had been ordered to the Philippines as pioneers in the m ovement of American l riests to those islands 10 succeed the Spanirds. The two priests will leave for Manila within the next two weeks and will be followed in a short time, it is be- lieved, by several other American Angus tinians. Both clergymen chosen are dis tinguished and able members of the or der. They were selected from among about a dozen volunteers who offered their services to the prior general in cas- he needed American Augustiniaps for the Philippines Many of the Spanish friars in the Philippines belong to the order.
 To Carry Out Programme.
  gramme which has been decided on by the prior general" said Father O'Ma- honey 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 American Augutinians will be sent to the islands"
 The announcement was made during the celebration of the feast of St. Thomas, Patron of Villanovas which was observed with impressive exercises.
 At a. m. high mass was celebrated by Prior General Rodiguez and at Il o'clock a reception was rendered the distinguish ed Augustinian who has been in this country a little more than a month. The American provincial, the Rev Martin J. Geraughty, delivered an address of well come 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. Delaury, presi- dent of Villanova. All the addresses were delivered in Latin.
 The prior general in replying to the well come, among other things said:
 Pope a Peacemaker.
 "Throughout all time the governments of the world have appealed to the sover- eign pontiff as a peace maker. The Amer lean government has appealed to him and rightly so, to settle the troubles in the Philippines.
 "We have no fear of the outcome. Prejudice must be put aside and the facts only considered God-fearing men will do right and justice.
 unfortunately nearly all the friar questions 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 malign our brothers.
 'I speak not as one who does not know the conditions in the Philippines. I speak with personal knowledge of the priests and the people,"