Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-30

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald.
MANILA April %. 1904.
The new American bishops are all now
here each in charge of his diocese They
have been cordially welcomed, and have
taken hold of their work with energy and
zeal, in marked contrast to their Spanish
predecessors. Archbishop Harry is here,
and Bishops Rocker. Dougherty and Hen
bricks are at different points throughout
the island They are under considerable
embarrassment because of the confusion,
the lack of clerical assistance and the re-
sentiment of the public toward the Span
ish friars Nor do the friars look upon
their American successors with favor, al
though thus far they have done nothing I'M
friendly or unkind 1t Is not unnatural Tor
them to feel little envy and chagrin at
the manner in which they have been treat
ed although they have no one to blame but
themselves The conduct, the bearing, the
habits of living and methods of reasoning,
the scruples and morals OF the American
priests are as far removed from those OF
the Spaniards as if they belonged In diner
ent planets and worshiped different gods.
Opposition to Foreigners.
Rishop Rocker and Bishop Dougherty
have been having rather rough work owing
TO the decentralization of their parishes, the
schism and the independent movement
which has gained much ground in their do
oeses and 1t will take them some time TO
overcome the popular prejudice against for
eign priests One of the planks In the
platform of the revolutionary party de-
clared that the people would not accept the
ministratiOns of any but native priests, ana
that is the basis of the independent move
ment which has gained much more impetus
Aere than people at home suppose, ana pom
sicans are using II for their own purposes
The Fflipinos do not understand the type
ar the American priest. He is something
Entirely new and 50 different from what
they have been accustomed 10, out with
zeal tact and candor the new Dlshops are
gradually getting the confidence oil tne
people and restoring order among the
clergy. In DR.. Rockers diocese the people
have suffered more from the tyranny ana
exactlons of the friars than in any other
part of the country, and there is scarcely a
Priest left under his Jurisdiction; every one
Of them was driven out In DR.. Dough-
srtys diocese the Independent movement
has made the greatest Roadway, and is ex-
ercising the greatest influence. These
young men have tremendous task before
them. / do not know of anything that
parallels 1t at the present time. Neither in
America nor in Rome have the church au-
thorities an adequate comprehension OF the
condition of ecclesiastical affairs here, or
the difficulties which the new bishops have
been called upon to encounter.
There are only four American Catholic
clergymen In the archipelago besides the
bishops named. They are Mgr Fowler. pri-
waite secretary to Archbishop Harty and
chancellor OF the diocese, who comes from
Sioux City; Father Stanton of 81. Louis.
and a graduate of Georgetown University
at Washington. who Is a professor In the
Jesuit Seminary, and has been engaged In
educational work here for Ave years; and
Fathers OMahony and McElhone Angus
INT Mac anhf N ra
doing regular parish work In the city of
Manila in connection with the Church of st.
Augustine. They look after the American
Catholic residents, who number more than
1900 the clerks teamsters and other civil
ians connected with the army, and the SOL
diers. Many priests are needed. more than
can possibly be obtained. for not less than
@ thousand Spanish friars have been killed
or driven out of the eountry since 1886.
Archbishop Harry Welcomed.
Archbishop Harty has made distinctly
favorable impression and has received a
very cordial welcome. which naturally has
been very gratifying because of the deli
cate situation In which he is placed. His
predecessor. the Spanish Archbishop No
geladas. Dominican monk. was practical
Is political dictator here for many years
being more influential with the court al
Madrid than the governor general himself
And he outlived a long list OF governors
He active and energetic man. OF
autocratic disposition and dictatorial man.
ner. and much disliked by the people. who
attributed much to him OF their political
troubles. His character and style may be
Judged by the proclamation he issued when
Admiral Dewey's fleet made its first APP
pearance In Manila bay. He declared that
IL the Americans won the homes of the peo-
pie would be debauched. the affairs of the
churches desecrated. that morality would
be banished and vice would become ram
pant.
Before the equalization OF the city he es-
capped in disguise to Shanghai by the Ger
man man-of-war Darmstadt. but after q
while returned and, 1 told. became
reeonciled to the Americans, who had orig
e. inally excited his fury. Before he left per.
menently hs came to like them very well
But he was glad TO 60. His influence wal
entirely diasIpsksA; hs had forfeited. thu