The Washington herald., 1907-03-31

compiished more toward the creation OF
sentiment Of brotherhood between the
European and the Oriental-two elements
which are as difficult TO blend as wine and
oil-than anything else that has ever been
devised. 1t is for this reason that the
English authorities in India. far from
opposing, on the contrary, view with sat
isfaction the spread Of Freemasonry
throughout King Edwards great Eastern
empire. and do everything in their power
to encourage the organization Of new
lodges In all parts Of the world secret
societies seem TO appeal to the dusky
races. They abound not only in Asia
but also IN Africa. For the most part
their object is of a fanatieal or OF
criminal order II is therefore extremely
jUdicious on the part Of those Western
powers which have dependencies on the
Dark Continent and in the far and near
East to take advantage OF this craze
Of the natives for secret societies. to in
duce them 10 join an organization such
as that Of the Freemasons, the purpose
Of which Is frateFnal rather than honi-
cidaL
Here in America. as in the United King
dom of Great Britain. Masonry. as such,
holds itself aIoof from politics, which II
regards as constituting a source Of dis
cord. and is therefore caluculated to de-
feat the objects which it has in view.
namely. the establishment OF fraternai
relations among All its brethren. It de-
votes itself exclusively TO philanthropy.
It is possibly owing to this that little ad-
vantage has been taken as yet by the
American authorities Of the popularity of
Masonry among the natives OF the Philip
pine Islands II was introduced there
during the last two decades OF the Span
lsh domination, and in spite of ali the
efforts Of the government and OF the
clergy to arrest its growth it spread rap
idly all over the archipelago. The prin-
cipal leaders OF the Instructions that
characterized the closing years Of the
Spanish rule held high rank in the craft.
which furnished them with the means of
communicating rapidly and secretly with
their adherents. besides constituting a
guarantee OF loyalty and discretion.
have before me as I write this c remark
able memorial addressed by the Spanish
clergy in the Philippines 10 the home gov
ernment al Madrid in April, 1895, that IS
to say, a few weeks only before the bat
tie OF Manila. Much of this memorial is
given up TO a denunciation of the authoTi-
ties OF the archipelago for not acting with
sufficient energy Ia the suppression of
Freemasonry, which, it declares. had built
up wall OF separation between the na-
tives and the SpaniaTds. The clergy
demonstrate in the address that the en-
tire revolutionary movement against
Spain is engineered by the Katipunan
Lodge at Manila. and predict that the
supineness Of the government in crushing
out Masonry among the natives would
inevitably eliminate in the eventual loss
Of the islands 10 the Spanish Crown.
Less than a month after this was written
the prophecy was fulfilled. and 10 this
day many Spaniards are firmly convinced
that the sacrifice OF these colonies was
due far more TO the Vaccinations Of the
Masonic craft than to the force OF Ameri-
can arms.
Il has always been a source Of amaze
ment to those who, like myself. were
aware of the role played by Freemasonry
in the Philippines during the few years
preceding the transfer Of the archipelago
to the United States, that no systematic
attempt should have been made to turn
TO good account the Masonic tendencies
of the natives, and to invoke the assist
ance Of the craft in aliaying the feelings
Of enmity, and in creating bonds Of
/ friendship and of brotherhood with the
eight millions of shreWd and clever Ma
1 lays brought under the rule of Uncle
Sam by the treaty OF Paris Any one
/ who has lived In the East, not as a visi-
I tor, but as a resident, will agree with me
/ that Is a matter of supreme difficulty 10
( bind tie Asiatic. Friendship. in our un-
! derstandiag of the word, between the
/ white man and the native Is impossible
no matter what may be said to the con-
trary To rely upon the gratitude Of an
/ Oriental for services rendered is 70 lean
upon a broken reed. There is but one
thing by which 1t Is possible 20 hold a
/ native namely. by means OF his Obliga-
/ tions to the secret society TO which he
/ belongs. His obedience and loyalty 10 all
1 the hehests Of the latter are something
/ beyond our conception. In Difference to
| its commands he is willing 10 stife all
his racial resentment and prejudices, and
I If the statutes OF the society require that
+ he shall treat the white man as a brother.
/ the latter can then, and then only, rely
blindly upon his fidelity. Old-time white
| settlers IN China, in the Dutch Indies, in
the Straits of MaIacca. in fact, sir
I through the Orient. have stories TO tell
/ how Ia moments when foreigners have
been in danger Of massacre by the mob
/ their lives have been saved through the
I use in their extremity of some Masonic
1 sign, which. understood by some of their
/ assailants. has had the instant effect Of
converting them from foes into defenders
Under the circumstances one cannot re-
| frain from the opinion that the Americans
could have spared themselves much treas
ure and bloodshed if, during the first few
years following Admiral Dewey's victory,
/ they had made use of Masonry TO get into
friendly touch with the moving spirits Of
/ the insurrection, and thus not only TO
allay their animosity and to inspire them
with confidence, but also to secure their
services IN assuaging the hatred of the
population TO the American administra-
ton OF the islands.
A curious fact. and one which it is well
to bear in mind in this connection, is
that japanese Masons were very extern
sively represented among the Philippine
! Lodges prior to the acquisition of the
islands by the United States. In fact, the
! Spanish secular and ecclesiastical authori-
ties in the Philippines did not hesitate to
allege that the japanese nation made use
of the lodges TO foment the Instruction
and 10 furnish the rebels with reyolu-
tionary literature. with arms. and with
supplies in the expectation Of eventually
| securing possession Of the archipelago
The attitude OF the japanese government
| toward Masonry has always been rather
strange. Until year ago. at any rate.
1t declined TO allow the existence Of lodges
in the dominions Of the Mikado, though
| Il not only parnltfed- nut actually en-