The Papacy and the Philippine Settlement
The “Christian Advocate,” the chief organ of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, again and again calls attention to the settlement of the Philippine matters. While it believes, as should every one, that strict justice should be done to the friars, it also believes that there is great danger that special favors will be granted them. It closes a note of warning thus: “All Europe is looking on to see if the government of the United States will firmly maintain the principles of an absolutely free church in a free State, or, as a means of governing in peace, throw its influence perniciously in favor of the ancient intolerant régime.” Other papers feel as does the Advocate. They do not see how this government is yielding step by step to the entreaties of the Vatican, do not see the strong, almost invisible web which the Papacy is weaving—as she believes to be her duty—around the sleeping giant of the West.