Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-18
Good Cheer From the Philippines.

One Of the best messages which has
been brought from the Philippines since
Admiral Dewey smashed the Spanish
fleet is delivered by Archbishop Harry
of Manila who is now making a visit
to this country. When the late Pope
: Leo picked him out for the church's
most important post in the archipelago
he was Father Harty of St. Louis, a
: successful and beloved priest about sc
years old. He went to his new and
most arduous assignment in the archi-
pelago four years ago this coming
summer. He was in Washington last
week and gave the Star a most inter-
esting interview. He reports himself
in perfect health notwithstanding some
necessary privations and hardships.
Il am part of the insular fabric now
he says, land deeply in love with my
work.
He gives his Filipinos a first-class
character for piety. They are deeply
religious" They have family prayers;
they thrOng the churches; the Sunday
schools are full to overlooking; Lent is
devoutly observed; the home life is
beautiful. 1.-THE effect of this solid
religious training is perceptible in the
remarkable purity of the girls, the
great self-control of the men and boys,
and the universally ready submission of
all to parental authority Archbishop
Harry is having all his priests study
English; they speak il, already to some
extent and constantly become more
proficient in it.
He gives the American government
of the islands certificate 1t has i'm
proved the entire school SYSTEM. 1t is
"diffusing broadcast knowledge of
our language 1t is "dOing immense
good by impressing upon the native
mind the dignity of labor" American
| machinery is doing marvels'' AS a
whole the islands are making strides
| industrially and agriculturally" 1t is
| iIhpoSSi'ie " speak 700 ilSnly OF the
general conduct of the American SOL
,diers." General Wood has grown ap-
probably under his responsibilities;
'nis grasp of the situation is firm and
broad. but his administration is tact
full and kindly in spirit" The Malay
mind is acute and teachable. and grow
ing more so. 1t takes note Of all these
| things.
| What is the feeling of the Malays of
the Philippines toward US? Arch
bishop Harry says:
1T is most cordial among the better
| element of all classes. The humanity
| and GisintereStedness of the American
| government are becoming understood
| ana fully appreciated. All who have
| anything to lose; all who are rearing
| families-in short, the great. the i'm
| menSe majority of the people now re-
Srect and really like the United States.
Whatever AmericOphobia may exist
is to be found only among the disap-
pointed revolutionary leaders,"
What is the blacklist peril of the
Philippines? Archbishop Harty says:
1.-THE real, almost the only, danger to
the prosperous and happy future of
these beautiful and wonderfully fruit
full islands is to be found among the
revOlutionists. the professional revolu-
uonists, l may say, who are compose
of small but noisy, resolute and aggres-
sive groups here and there, but prin-
| cipally in or near Manila. 1t is noto-
| riouG that these revolutiOnists are men
without. education, property, ability or
principles. Not one Of them has any
property at stake. The worst excuses
of Central and South American anar-
chy which now and then disturb the
world would be the necessary conse-
quence of permitting these irresponsible
men to rise to power"
Are we at liberty to abandon the
Philippines? Archbishop HARRY says:
Most decidedly not. 1t would be a
burning disgrace. Yes, disgrace. l
want to use that word. It would he a
shame. Give me permission to state al
so as my decided opinion that the
brightest page in American history
will be that recording the operations
of this government in the Philippines
My belief is that in time the Filipiros
may turn Japan to Christianity. These
Philippines are the pearl Of the Orient"
Will people of our race AMI blood De
able to make homes in the Philippines
and settle down in them for a pro-
tracted residence? Archbishop Harry
says:
1T is not difficult for Americans who
lead normal and moral life to adapt
themselves to the climate. Vigorous
, dancing. late and sumptuCus parties
heavy drinking-in fact, all excesscs
drains and eXacting indoor functions -
must be cut out if l may be per-
: mitted to use the term, in the Philip
pines. Life instead should be outdoor
and calm, not strenuous. For eight
months the climate is ideal. The dis
eases common to children are practi-
caliy unknown. The medical service ir
the cities is admirable. The entire
archipelago is a paradise for huntsmer
| and fishermen. The longevity of the ma