CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, 23 February 1911, Page 347

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

LECTURE ON THE PHILIPPINES

(From the club correspondent.) The Right Rev. Mgr. Fowler, of Sioux City, U.S.A., who is at present on a visit to Christchurch, delivered a lecture on the ‘ Philippines ’ before the members of the Catholic Club and their friends on Tuesday evening, February 14; , Amongst those present were his Lordship .Bishop Grimes, Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Fathers Graham and Quinn (St. Bede’s Collegiate School), Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev, Fathers McDonnell and Hanrahan. Mr-. J. R. Hayward (president) briefly introduced Monsignor Fowler, who said that his talk on the ‘ Philippines ’ could not be dignified by the title of lecture. Monsignor Fowler then went on to say that he spent three years in the Philippines and found them very interesting. When the islands fell into the hands of the Americans, the one great thing that the Church was anxious about was that the religion j of the people would not be interfered with. Both his Holiness the Pope and the American Government thought it the best policy to have American Bishops to rule over the various sees instead of Spanish, Bishops, and the Government petition his Holiness to appoint American Bishops. The Spanish prelates were quite willing to vacate their sees to the American Bishops. It was then explained how the Taft Commission was formed. It was composed of Mr. Taft, Bishop O’Gorman, Mr. Smith, one of the principal members of the Government, and some military attaches. Archbishop . Harty, a life-long friend of Monsignor Fowler’s, was chosen as the first Metropolitan of the Islands. Monsignor Fowler accompanied him to Rome as his secretary. On their return to the Philippines they visited Japan. _ With regard to the Japanese, the thing that impressed him especially was the utter disrespect they had for anything which was sacred to other people, and the manner in which they treated foreigners, especially Americans and the English people. The latter think the Japanese like them, but they do not. Monsignor Fowler said that the Japanese merchants were, not trusted by English or American merchants, as they had

no business integrity. What seemed strange to him was that in all banks in Japan, and in large business houses and large stores, the Chinese handle the money. He considered that the Yellow Peril was not a myth. He was very glad to get away from Japan, but was on the contrary glad to get to Hong Kong, which had a great many English residents. It was a thoroughly English city, and very beautiful. After a short stay in Hong Kong they sailed across the Yellow Sea to Manila, which took fortyeight hours to reach. The Philippine Islands are composed of some 2007 great and small isles, the principal being Luzon. Their arrival in Manila was the occasion of very great rejoicing by the people. They were received most cordially by the Governor and the principal officials. The resources of the country are most monderful, principally untouched as yet, and consist of, among other things, gold, silver, copper, and tin. l There are some very fine woods, and the various articles of furniture made from them were then described. The people are small in size and brown in color. _ They are of Malay race, and the only one of that race which has been Christianised. They are very treacherous. One may have a Filipino servant for years and even then not know him. The Filipinos mistook the Americans kindness for weakness. Americans see now that the Spaniards knew how to treat the Filipinos. They needed to be ruled with an iron hand. The Americans learnt to esteem the Spaniards in the Philippines There were no more courteous people in the world, and a Spanish gentleman was one in every sense of the word. The food of the natives is principally rice; they may eat meat once or twice a year but don’t care for it. The natives have veiy large families, usually from sixteen to twenty childron They are a very moral people, the women' being noted for their modesty, and the people as a whole are very religions. The standard of education is a verv high one they have some very fine colleges conducted by the Jesuits’ Augustmians, and other Orders. A large number of the Filipinos are educated therein and a good number are studying for the priesthood. Mass is said from 4 o’clock s'™ ""‘i 1 7 - • Af ! cr «(•*. ‘here is a Mas at 8.30 fm tlm lazy Americans.’ Tlioir churches are most beautiful, especially the Cathedral of Manila. The Filipino is a great smoker, men, women, and also' children indulging in the habit. They are extremely fond of reli-

gious processions. Attempts have been made by nonCatholics to proselytise them, but these have been generally unsuccessful. Drunkenness is unknown amongst them. The obje<jfion to the friars arose from the fact that the Natives considered that they represented Spanish law and order, and as they hated the Spaniards who sometimes treated them cruelly, this was their reason for expelling the friars. With regard to the Spanish-American war, the American Government have come to see that they were in the wrong, and that it was a most unjust war. It was really the outcome of representations made by the army and navy, and President McKinley was very loth indeed to sign the declaration. He did not want to go to war, but the situation was forced upon him. There was no doubt but that Japan had its eye upon the Philippines. The Japanese want to be masters of the Pacific and are watching the Pacific very closely. They are an infidel people and would stamp out any religion in the Philippines if they became masters. It was the lecturer’s opinion that they will engage in war with America sooner or later. It is a lesson for English-speaking races not to trust the Japanese, who are prepared for war, whilst the Americans are not, and the former care for nobody but themselves. Needless to say the audience listened with rapt attention to one of the most instructive and interesting lectures it has ever been their good fortunte to listen to. Mr. McKeon in moving a vote of thanks to Monsignor Fowler said the lecture had been most interesting and instructive, and of a very high order. Mr. P. McNamara seconded the motion. His Lordship Bishop Grimes said they had had an intellectual treat, a graphic description of the people of the Philippines, which he had listened to with the greatest interest and profit. The motion was put and carried with applause. Monsignor Fowler briefly thanked the meeting for its expression of gratitude. During the evening Mrs. Arthur Mead, Miss Hayward, Messrs. A. Bunz, R. Beveridge, and C. Fottrell contributed to a musical programme.

Conservatism (says the Catholic Times) is losing ground in Ireland. It has had special means of gaining and winning support. Those who made profession of that political faith were fairly sure of loaves and fishes. Any well-paid posts which were sinecures were, as far as possible, reserved for them. If they were in business they had a monopoly of the custom of the members of the party in the neighborhood. In fact, recruits were Avon by the certainty held out to them of improving their worldly prospects. But all the advantages Irish Conservatism enjoys in political warfare are more than counterbalanced by its anti-Irish sentiment. Its cry at every election has been ‘ Do not trust the Irish people.’ That is an appeal which is bound to fail.. Even in the breasts of Irish Conservative electors there are sparks of patriotism, and unquestionably there has been a lack of enthusiasm in their ranks during the contests which have just come to a close. Mid-Tyrone has been recovered by the Nationalists, and in South County Dublin Alderman Cotton, a Nationalist, replaces Captain Bryan Cooper, a Conservative. South of the Boyne, save at Dublin University, a clean sweep has been made of Conservatism, whilst in ulster the Nationalists and Mr. Redmond Barry a Liberal who represents North Tyrone, hold sixteen out of thirty-three seats.