Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-23
GOV. WRIGHT EXPLAINS
The Governments Policy
Toward Aglipay's Church.
MUST PRESERVE ORDER
MAY NOT DIspossEss CATHOLIC
ECCLEsIAsTIcs.
He Will Be Held Responsible for Con-
duct Of His Followers-His Loyalty
Not Above Suspicion.
BY WILLIAM + CURTIS.

B1 WILLIAM Il COn1lS
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald.
MANILA, May %, 1904.
l was present the other day at an inter-
view between Governor Wright and Senior
Filipino Catholic Church. at which the
policy OF the government toward that move
ment vas explained plainly and firmly.
There las been great deal of trouble and
frequent disturbances have occurred
throughout the islands over the possession
of church property. Agljpay sends his bish-
ops and clergy into parishes which have
been without pastors; they take possession
OF the churches and parsonages (Which are
called oonventos here end assume control
OF the ecclesiastical affairs At other places
they call together discontinued members of
the congregations and appoint committees
VINO address petitions to the bishops of the
independent church setting forth their dis
satisfaction with the Roman Catholic pas
tors and begging that priests of the indie
pendent church be sent down to minister to
them. When the priest comes the COM
mittee takes forcible possession of the
church property drives out the Roman
priest nd installs the dissenter in his place
such proceedings frequently develop riots,
stir up bad feeling in the communities and
sooner or later involve the local officials in
the controversy.
Aglipay Sent For
The amount of disorder in the villages and
towns CT the interior has become so great
that Governor Wright sent for Aglipay to
have frank talk and reach an UNDER
standing with him. Aglipay was due at 8
o'clock in the morning, but he did not arrive
until after IL. This, l am told is his habit
which he considers becoming in a man of
his Importance. The former Spanish arch
BISHOP Nozelada was notorious for being
tardy 8nd for failing &c keep his appoint
Iaents and Agllpay initiates him as far as
possible.
The Independent archbishop came into
the governors office with cordial dignity
ana perfect self-possesson, and during the
entire ordeal, which was quite severe. be-
cause Governor Wright spoke very plainly
ne did Lot show the slightest irritation or
displeasure. He did not lose his composure
1or an Instant: he spoke freely, but without
Inc slightest bravado or temper. He was
deferential, diplomatic and conciliatory 1t
did not seem possible that man of his
appearance and manners could be guilty Of
me horrlpie barbarfties and debauchery of
which he is accused. When questions of
fact arose in the conference he was willing
to admit that the governor had better ia
cilities than himself for obtaining informa-
con; although 1t were possible that even he
might be misinformed. If it was a question
or law he confessed his ignorance of such
matters, but at the same time would be
glad to have an authoritative decision; and
when the charges against his followers
were repeated to him he lamented that peo-
pie would not always be wise ard prudent
and was confident that they intended to do
no wrong. There was altogether too much
humility in his manner; yet while he SEEM
ed to assent, he yielded nothing
American Policy Explained.
Governor Wright explained to him the
policy of the United States concerning lib
erty of conscience. freedom of worship and
the relations between church and state, and
assured him that he and his followers would
be permitted to do everything they pleased
in the way of worship, educa tional and
charitable work, provided they obeyed the
laws and did not interfere with the rights
of others
But they would not be permitted to take
fo1cible possession of churches. conventos
schools and other church property or inter-
fere In any way with the rights and liber-
ties of the regular Catholics. Where they
found church entirely abandoned they
were at liberty to occupy it for religious
worship with their own priests in their
own way, and no one would be allowed to
interfere with them. but they could not
claim title to the property without an order
from a court. The government took the
position that all property in the islands
which had at any time belonged to the
Roman Church belonged to it STILL and the
abandoned
was not equivalent to a REIMBURSEMENT or
forfeiture of title. He told Aglipay that his
people had no more right to claim owner
ship to a vacant church than a vacant
mouse or vacant farm. When the repre-
sentatiyes of the Roman church or any
other person appeared to dispute possession
the courts would decide which claimant was
entitled to the property.
At the same time the representatives Of
the Roman church would be prohibited
from interfering with the worship or other
peaceful proceedings of the independent
church. No force or intimidation would he
tolerated on either side. If representa-
tive of the Roman church found the repre-
sentatves Of the Independent church in
peaceful possession of house of worshin
Or a school or a convento they would not
be permitted to use force but must submit
their claims to court instead The policy
OF the government therefore, is to allow
priests actually in possession, whether reg
ular or independent to remain unmolested
until the courts decide otherwise
Aglipay's Apparent Qualification.
Aglpay appeared to assent to all these
propositions and expressed his qualification
that the government was SO liberal SO 1ust
and so fair. and when Governor Wright in
formed him that his priests were violating