New-York tribune., 1903-05-02
GOTERNOR TAFT PRAISED.
ChaDIdin Vdttmann on CdthOhc In
tercsts an the Philippines.
FAVORS AMERICAN ARCHBISHOP.

Washington. May 1.-Extracts from the report Oh
Father E. ]. Vattmann, chaplain of the 18th unted
States Infantry TO the Catholic bishops assembled
in annual convention here last week on the status
of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, were
made public to-day. Father Vattmann with the
knowledge and consent of the War department. anu
under direction of the Church authorities recently
made a careful investigation OF Catholic interests
in the archipelago. He praises Governor Tart ana
other members of the Philippine Commission TOT
their honesty and impartiality In religious arars-
He comments the influence or AgIpay, an IN
surgent priest, in the islands. and expresses the
belief that had American archbishop instead OF
Monsignor Guidi been appointed at Manila the
breach would not have been so wide and would
have been closed quickly. Father Vattmann regards
the present feeling toward the friars as most un-
fortunate.
ITO my mind" says Father Vattmann ut is de-
pIorabe that certain Of our Catholic persist
in mlsrepresenting Governor Taft and his ADMIN
istration. He is a clean and honest man. broad
minded and LIBERAL with taint of bisotry In his
composition. His attitude toward the Church ana
to Catholic interests In general is simply admirable
You may be certain that he thoroughly understands
the character and the selfish designs OF the rene
gade Aglipay, and that he has profound kno"l-
edge both OF the and the conditions around
him. repeat the Governor is honest and impartial
and have nothing to fear from him-he can
always be trusted to do the right thing
Commissioner Wright Governor Taft's able CO.
adjutor is also farmnded and impartial. He is
evasion hypocrisy about him. He is an excep-
tionally good lawyer, excellent Latin scholar
and Is well versed in canon law, of which ne mas
made a speciality. His wife. most estimable
woman, is devout Catholic
Judge Smith, another member OF the commits
sion, is a Catholic. and surely interests would
be safe in his hands. Mr.. Ferguson, Secretary for
the Philippines, former Washingtonian, is an
other broadminded man. with not tatnt Of bigotry.
In fact, the commission itself and all its members
are possessed of the right spirit and we CathoncS
need fear injustice at their hands .
AS to the Aglipay heresy-for IL may be so-called
i am sorry say it has attained very consider
of the people. Remember there ten million
Catholics In the Philippines, about as many as
there are in the whole United States. have the
impression that had American archbishop been
appointed to Manila the breach would not have
been so wide and il would have been quickly closed
Monsignor Guid has done very well, but l really
believe the appointment OF an American archbishop
would have carried with ii more OF prestige. Most
unfortunate is it that there is such deep fee!ng
against the frarS; indeed they are really mated
They looked upon part and parcel or the oId
oppressive Spanish regime, and 1t is this feeLnS
that has given impetus to the Aghpay heresy-
found this feeling of bitterness against the frarS
in every of the provinces. except perhaps the
province of Cebu.
TT is beautiful to witness the profound love Of
sions strongly impressed by it. 1 deeply grteved
to think the faith OF such devoted people Is IN
danger. But I believe l have pointed out the
solution the DrOblem'