The Penn's Grove record., 1920-07-30
THE PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS
Growing Appreciation of the American
Public School System

There is in wide circulation in
America and elsewhere a statement
attributed to the National Catholic
Register, but probably spurious, in
which high praise is accorded Presi-
dent Wilson's Secretary for his alleged
guardianship and promotion of Ro-
man Catholic interests. Among other
items it is stated that through his eff
forts president Wilson has practical
ly granted that education in the Phil
ippInes shall be under the control of
the Catholic Church."
AS copies of this alleged statement
have reached this paper from a varie-
ty of sources, we have been at some
pains to verify its authenticity, thus
far without success. There seems to
be no such periodical as the National
Catholic Register" Officers of the
Guardians of Liberty, an organization
which has helped to circulate it, are
unable to authenticate its origin. Pos
sibly this publication will bring out
additional particulars, or, if not, may
at least serve to withdraw credence
from the article which is being re-
printed in the ends of the earth.
Not only is the Roman Catholic orr
gin of the article under suspicion, but
some of its alleged facts will not bear
investigation. AS to the betrayal of
the public school system in the Philip
pine Islands, we are able to print a
recent letter from a well-known Amer
lean Methodist, now resident in Ma
Mia, who is thoroughly conversant
with educational affairs in the islands.
After quoting the allegation of "Cath-
Ollie control Of the Philippine schools,
he says:
"If any such arrangements have
been made in Washington they have
been closely guarded from those in au-
thority in the Philippines. l have
taken this matter up with prominent
officials here at Manila-Filipinos and
Americans-and they positively deny
knowledge of any such policy.
"The lact is, as far as | can judge,
The possibility of such a calamity is
less likely now than ever before. If
anything the breach between the
Catholic Church and the public schools
IS widening. The Catholic Church is
more antagonistic to the government
than ever before. She is es-
,ablisking parochial schools wherever
possible, and doing her best to destroy
he power and influence of the public
Some of the leading families
prefer to have their daughters educat-
ID in private schools, but very few of
hem are willing to send their boys to
he Catholic schools. A large number
If private schools have sprung up in
~ yvav ra1ated to the Catholic Church.
But in spite of all this the govern
nent schools have grown during the
past three years from 100000 to
500, 900 pupils in attendance. One
American teacher said that "The atti-
.ude of the Catholic Church by it's at
,ack up on the public schools and by
establishing parochial schools was do
ng more than anything else to cause
he rising generation to become anti
Catholic"
The director of education is Luther
Bewley and the first assistant is
Osias, a Filipino, who belongs
o the Central Methodist Episcopal
church of Manila. Both men are
Masons and Protestants through and
through. AS such they will deal fair
Y with all the people regardless of
heir sect or religion.
Such a statement, coming from a
;ource which may be relied upon abso-
utely, will be welcomed by those who
been loath to believe the contrary
assertion which has been so extensively
thrust before them.-Christian Advo-
ate, 7-17-'20.