Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03
JEREMIAH ]. HARTY
Archbishop of Manila Now in the
City. "a
IMPRESSIONS OF ISLANDS
And People Who Are Deeply
Religious.
ARE ADVANCING INDUSTRIALLY
American Machinery is Doing Mar
vels-Would Be Disgrace for
Government to Abandon Them.
ARE ADVANCING INDUsTR1ALLY

on business connected with the administra.
ton of ecclesiastical affairs in the Pacific
is now in Washington, the guest of Rev.
Father Scully, 81.
The archbishop, who is in his fifty fourth
year. is a native of st. Louis where he en-
joyed great popularity and influence for
many years. He was ordered to the Phil
ippines in June. 1908, because of his ample
understanding of republican institutions,
his large administrative capacity and his
energetic good health.
His incumbency has been very success
full, his methods in the islands having
been quite as much those of priest among
the people as of a primate at the head of
a great jurisdiction.
Likes His Work.
Il like my position and my work very
well, indeed" he said in response to various
inquiries, though 4 went to Manila in
obedience to orders and not as matter of
choice. My health is good, perfect 1 may
say though 1 have, to say the truth, some
times suffered when out in the provinces
without proper shelter and accommoda-
tons. 1 am part of the insular fabric now
and deeply in love with my work.
Il think l will answer first your ques-
tons about the church, religion and edu-
cation. At the head of the educational
establishment in the islands is the univers-
ity, in which are taught philosophy, theol-
ogy, scriptures, oriental languages, law.
medicine. pharmacy, the arts and techno
logical branches.
Law, medicine, pharmacy, ETC., are
taught by laymen. natives being in the
majority. OF course English is taught,
and | am having all of our priests study
English. They speak that language
and are becoming more and more proficient
in it.
.'At the time Of the American occupation
SiyyfN- nirhf -.
In the islands. twenty-one in the Manila
archdiocese In four of these there are
now 3,1OO boys, and in the girls colleges
of the city about 300 pupils. When the
Americans came in there was primary
school in every parish but l must say that
there is no doubt whatever that the Amer
lean government has improved the entire
government and primary school system and
is diffusing broadcast a knowledge of our
language and doing immense good by i'm
pressing upon the native mind the dignity
of labor.
People Deeply Religious.
Yes, 1 reply to you, the people are not
only religious, but deeply religious. The
attendance at the Sunday schools taxes
the capacity of the churches. Very few
native families fail to have daily prayers
in common. Besides, the custom introduced
by the early missionaries of reading in
each family during Lent the passion of
ID.
The effect of this solid religious training
is percepube in the remarkable purity of
the girls. the great self-control of the men
and boys, and the universally ready sub
mission of all to parental authority. 1t
Is almost unknown for even men and wom-
en- of families to decide any important
matter or take any important step without
consulting their parents.
Sane judgments always result from this
beautiful practice, as well as peaceful lives.
Their home life is very, very attractive.
l am well aware that persons who have
spent but a short time in the Philippines
have reflected severely on the natives, but
over three years of close personal knowl-
edge of all classes in their homes, and in
innate family relations make me positive
OF the truth of what l am saying"
DO you observe any advancement in ma
terial things?' was asked of his eminence.
Islands Advancing Industrially.
"Oh, yes; the islands as whole are max
ing strides industriallys and agriculturally.
American machinery is doing nnarvels and
will do even more yet much more as the
country continues to be opened up. You
must remember that less than one-tenth of
the land is under cultivation, but all of the
land in the islands is classed with the most
fertile In the world and capable of raising
two and three crops a year.
1T is not difficult for Americans who lead
a normal and moral life to adapt themselves
to the climate. Vigorous dancing, late and
sumptuous parties, heavy drinking-in fact
all excuses. drains and exacting indoor
functions-must be cut OUT If 1 may
be permitted 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 diseases common to
children are practically unknown The
medical service in the cities is admirable
The entire archipelago is paradise for
huntsmen and fishermen. The longevity of
the natives is remarkable; many live to very
great age. They are healthy. In Manila
sewerage system Is being installed and
the surface and surplus waters that form
erly stood stagnant in the pockets and low
places are now drained off and statistics
show that the health of the city is at least
as good as that of the District of Columbia.
THE intellectual capacity of the natives?
1t Is good. You must remember that ex-
cept in the interior, where a few wild .
tribes remain, the population is not
negritic. 1t is Malay. The Malay mind
Is acute; it is growing Natives have at
tanned to high rank lin many PROFESSIONS
law, medicine and literature
Years aso-a century and a half ago-two
native priests were made bishops in Mexico
and acquit ed themselves WE'LL"
Evidently. ventured the interviewer.
your eminence does not favor the abandon
ment of the Philippines by the American
government"
No Abandonment by America.
Most decidedly not" responded the arch
bishop with feeling. TT would be a burn
Ing disgrace. Yes, disgrace. I want to
use that word. 1t would be shame. Give
me permission to state also as my decided
opinion that the brightest page in Ameri-
can history will be that recording the opera
lions of this government in the Philippines.
My belief is that in time the F'flipinos NAV
turn Japan to Christianity. These Philip
pines are the pearl of the orient Just
thinks 600 Christians in we may saw.
the heart of Asia! Yes, and do not feel
am optimistic, I believe that the Filipinos
will finally convert the Japanese and the
Japanese will in due time convert ASIA
Many Americans think, your eminence.
that the Philippines are costing too much.''
suggested the interviewer.
Schools cost too much; many things that
are merely seed-planting operations, cost
too much at the moment of expenditure. in
the minds of those who cannot or do not
measure the fruitage OF the future. The
government is spending money for improve
ments and for the army, but the municipaIi-
ties are already self-supporting, and before
long the islands will not be burden to the
United States"
While disclaiming any proficiency in d.
plomacy or statecraft, Archbishop Harty
easily made it evident that he did not think
there could be any danger of war with
Japan. He thinks that the Japanese field |
of exploitation Is toward the east-on the
continent of Asia and not In America or