The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-02
VATMANN
PRAISES Gov TAFT
Has Recently Made InveStiga-
lions in the Philippines
A COMPLIMENT FOR WRIGHT
Catholic Priest Says Had an Archbishop
From America Been Appointed the
Breach Would Not Have
Been SO Wide.

Washington, May 1.--Extracts from the
report of Father e. ]. Vatmann, chaplain
of the Twenty-ninth United States in
fantry to the Catholic bishops assem-
bled in annual convention here last week,
on the status of the Catholic church In
the Philippines, were made public today.
Father Yatmann, with the knowledge
and consent of the war department, and
under direction of the church authori-
ties. recently made a careful investiga-
ton of Catholic interests in the archi-
pelago. He is unsparing in his praise of
Governor Taft and other members of the
Philippine commission for their honesty
and impartiality in religious affairs.
ITO my mind" says Father 'Vatmann's
report, 1T is deplorable that certain of
our Catholic papers persist In misrepre-
senting Governor Taft and his admin
istration He is a clean and hon
no faint of bigotry in his composition.
His attitude towards the church and to
Catholic interests in general is simply
admirable. You may be certain that he
thoroughly understands the character and
the selfish designs of the renegade Ag-
lipay, and that he has a profound knowl-
edge both of the men and conditions
around him. repeat, the governor is
honest and impartial and we have nothing
to fear from him; he can always be
trusted to do the right thing.
Is Fair-Minded.
Commissioner Wright Governor
Taft's able coadutor, is also fair minded
and impartial. He Is straightforward in
his dealings, and there is no evasion or
hypocrisy about him. He is an excep-
tlonally good lawyer, an excellent Latin
scholar and is well yersed in Canon law,
of which he has made a speciality. His
wife, a most estimable lady is devout
Catholic.
Judge Smith, another member of the
commission, is a Catholic, and surely our
interests would be safe in his hands. Mr..
Ferguson, secretary for the Philippines,
former Washingtonian, is another
broad-minded man with not faint of
bigotry. In fact, the commission itself
and all it's members are possessed Of the
right spirit, and we Catholics need fear
no injustice at their hands.
LAS to the Aglipay heresy-for 1t may
be so called-I am sorry to say 1t has at
tanned very considerable proportions and
bodies danger to the faith of the people.
Remember, there are 10000 900 Catholics
In the Phllippines-about as many there
as are in the United States.
American Archbishop Needed.
~ have the impression that had an
American archbishop been appointed to
Manila the breach would not have been
so wide and 1t would have been quickly
closed. Monsignor Guidi has done very
well, but 1 really believe the appoint-
ment of an American archbishop would
have carried with 1t more prestige. Most
unfortunate it Is that there is such a
deep feeling against the friars. Indeed,
they are really hated. They look upon
us as a part and parcel of the old OPP
presslve Spanish regime, and 1t is this
feeling that has given an impetus to
Aglipay. | found this feeling of bitter
ness against the friars in every one of the
provinces except perhaps, the province
OF Cebu
1T is beautiful to witness the pro-
found love of the Filipinos for the
church. I am deeply grieyed to think
that the faith of such devoted people
is in danger"