New-York tribune., 1903-04-25
THE FRIAR QUESTION UP.
ARCHBISHOPS VIEWS.
Catholic Church and Problem of
"'4mericanising" Philippines.

Washington, April 24.-Secretary Root and the
Rev. Edward ]. Vattmann, chaplain of the Zath
Infantry, had important conference to-day
concerning affairs IN the Philippines. While
both parties to the conference were reticent as
TO details. II Is known that It related to the
friar question, and to the attitude of the Cain
olic Church toward the "Americanzfng OF the
islands. Chaplain Vattmann has received from
the War Department leave OF absence Tor SIX
months. with permission to visit Europe. he
started to-day for Fort Sheridan, Chicago. and
will sail for Europe May g. Before he re-
turns to the Philippines he will confer with the
authorities of the Catholic Church at Rome.
More than a year ago. with the knowledge and
consent of this government, Chaplain Vattmann
was directed by the authorities or the Cathohc
Church in the United States to make a thor
ough investigation Of Church questions IN the
Philippines. and to report the result of his find
ings and his conclusions to the Catholic hier-
archy. This report he submitted to the arch-
bishops at their annual meeting yesterday. AS
indicated by The Associated Press last night
the Philippine question was discussed fully by
the archbishops, practically to the exclusion of
other matters. The report OF Chaplain Vatt-
mann was not made public and may not be for
some time and those cognizant Of its contents
manifest reticence In discussing it.
It Is known. however, that 1t covers ex-
haustively all phases of Catholic Church ques-
tions In the Philippines, including the frar ques-
ton and the result of what is popularly known
as the "AgIipay movement" The latter is not
new question to the authorities of the Catholic
Church. either in the United States or at Rome
Aglipay is an insurgent priest who has prac-
ticaIly renounced the authority of the Church
of Rome and has organized what he terms the
Philippine Catholic Church He has gained
large. and IN some places an inf1uentlaI. loi-
lowing among the Fflipinos. Chaplain watt
mann reports that while he does not incite open
rebellion Aglipay and his followers are not only
opposing the authority of the Roman Church
but also are opposing the establishment oi
American rule in the Philippines.
A wide divergence of opinion developed in the
discussion Of the report by the archbishops VINO
heard it. BY some It was urged that the Agh-
nav movement and all other controverteo
Church questions could be met best by placing
Catholic seminaries in the Philippines under
the control of American priests, so that Che
native students would be inspired by the h1gheSt
ideals of Americanism BY others 1t was main
tanned that 1t would be wiser to bring orlght'
canahIe and jealous native students TO the
United States place them under the training
of American seminaries and then. at the con-
clusion of their training, return them TO the
Philippines to direct the Church educaLon VI
other natives No conclusion was reacneu. ~ c-A
ecutive action concerning the iiie1'tol "t'A
sariiy originate at Rome - w.t.
The questions presented by chaplain a.
mann in his report to the archolshoPS We. 80.
cussed bv him with Secretary Root anu II We
NTH the knowledge that Chaplain Vattinahn eA-
nactad 1o bring the result of his Investigations
n the attention of the vatican that oecle Soa
Root granted him an extehoeo iea'0 '-