A Traditional Policy Broken
By L. A. S.
AN article contributed to the Independent (N. Y. City) of January 7, by James A. Le Roy, private secretary to a member of the Philippine Commission, states that “the Catholic schism in the islands [the Aglipay following] is by no means the unimportant, even amusing, movement that might have been expected from the character of the men who organized it in August, 1902. To be sure, the Associated Press has practically ignored it [under Catholic influence], and one might well gather, from the hiatus of information upon it for nearly a year, that it had come to naught; but this is not the first time the Associated Press has committed serious errors of omission in regard to the Philippines. Plainly told, the truth of the situation is that the Catholic Church in the Philippines is literally rent in two.” Under the conditions which now exist in the islands, there being two rival Catholic parties, one of which is supported by the authorities at Rome, the United States government, which is called upon to decide the disputed question of the title to much of the church property in the islands, will have no small difficulty to avoid interfering in religious affairs, and becoming an ally of the papacy. Indeed, such interference is already an accomplished fact, and Mr. Le Roy sees it. He says:— Confining ourselves entirely to our Philippine difficulties, we might as well frankly realize that, on our own part, we have practically broken with our traditional policy of non-intervention in church matters, and that we may have to go still further in this direction before our hands are again entirely free. Governor Taft was not formally an “ambassador to the Vatican,” . . . but, far from being merely a business negotiation about friars’ lands, his mission was really a diplomatic mission, by whatever phrase we may choose to call it. The fact is recognized that this nation has “practically broken with” its “traditional policy of non-intervention in church matters,” and even that it may have to go further in this direction before it can see the way open to return to its former position. It means to return, of course; who ever knowingly ventured a little out of the right path without meaning to return? And now it seems necessary to go on a little further in order to return, to get back safely without unpleasant consequences. That is the old story. It is much easier to venture into the wrong path than to get back again from the wrong path to the right one. It is much easier to get entangled in the meshes of papal diplomacy than to get out of the tangle after Rome has drawn the lines to cut off retreat and make further advancement in her pathway appear the only feasible course. L. A. S.