"I am very glad to meet you as a citizen, but of course it is against
the policy of my country to receive you as an envoy from the Pope."
"Very well, Judge Daft, we shall not quarrel over a little thing
like that."
It was the Jesuit talking to the new American governor. He had no
intention of abandoning his purpose, but he meant to approach it by
indirection. He knew something of diplomacy himself, and so devoted a
few minutes to casual conversation. He was by nature and practice an
expert in the recounting of stories, having found that an art which
won where no other art was honored, and the two passed a pleasant
half hour together. Finally, as Rodriguez Violeta, the Jesuit father,
arose to take his departure, he said:
"If I speak purely as an individual, I presume you will not object
to my asking that you treat us fairly relative to churches and
church lands."
"By no means. I have no objection to telling you that I desire to
treat you fairly in these and all other matters."
"Perhaps you would not object, then, to issuing an order that, until
the matter can be settled in the courts, the possession of churches
is to be secured to the party in possession, whether that party
be the Roman Catholic church or the Filipino Catholic church. This
seems to me to be fair, and I believe is in accordance with American
jurisprudence."
"I shall be glad to issue an order of that nature to the soldiers in
the Philippines. Anything that is mutually just will be granted you;
and, while I can not receive you as envoy of the Pope, I shall take
pleasure in hearing your recommendations as an individual of experience
who is capable of understanding your people and presenting your side
of the controversy in a fair and liberal way."
"If I can be of any service to you, it will afford me pleasure to
be commanded by you. I do believe, however, that the holy father,
the Pope, has a plan which would save you very much trouble. I wish
you would permit me to present it--as an individual."
"You are at perfect liberty to do that. Be seated and I will hear you."
The Jesuit re-seated himself. The camel's nose had found entrance,
and the rest of the body was about to follow.
"The Spanish friars are at the bottom of all the trouble in the
Philippines. The Aglipayan schism came because of them, and the
many revolts that have disturbed the islands for the past three
centuries have been because the people wanted native rather than
Spanish priests. Now Leo, who has always been friendly to America
and Americans, is desirous of removing the Spanish friars from the
Philippines."
Judge Daft leaned forward, evidently interested. "This concerns me
greatly," he said. "Outline to me the plan more fully."
The Jesuit ignored the request. Instead of answering him directly,
he observed: "This would greatly simplify matters and make your
problem sensibly easier of solution."
"I am conscious of that," asserted the Judge, betraying eagerness,
a weakness which revealed that he was being beaten in diplomacy.
"America can easily handle the Spanish army. Your future problems
will lie with pacifying the natives and adjudicating the conflicting
claim of the two churches."
"You understand the situation just as it presents itself to me."
"You have splendid opportunities here."
"You mean, to make a fool of myself?" laughed Judge Daft.
"That is an opportunity that knocks often at every man's door. But
I was not thinking of that. I was merely musing--speaking aloud the
thing I thought--and a man never ought to do that."
"Sometimes I think he never ought to speak aloud anything else than
his undisguised thoughts. I shall insist on hearing this novel thing,
the undisguised thought of a Jesuit."
"I meant, opportunity to make yourself a reputation that shall lead
to future political power. Who knows but that the presidency of the
United States lies along this path?"
"I am not ambitious."
"I understand that; indeed, I was not thinking so much of you as an
individual as of you in your position. I was musing, you know. We
Jesuits naturally look into the political possibilities of things,
and I am astonished at the possibilities I see before you."
"War generally brings a warrior to the front. The people take pleasure
in preferring their military heroes."
"That is very true. I perceive you are an astute politician. Because
you are so far-sighted, you cannot fail to realize that if you are
enabled to satisfactorily settle a dispute that has been raging
for three centuries, and give America the Philippines to exploit,
you will have distinguished yourself in a way that is sure to bring
reward. Perhaps not at once. The military hero may come first, while
your reputation is in process of building; but if you succeed, your
time will come."
"The people are very forgetful."
"But men of affairs are not, and they are the folks who count. The
substantial business men, who see the advantages that accrue to
them because of these things, will remember; and the holy church
never forgets. We alone poll two million votes in America now. But,
remember, I am only musing. I am asking nothing. I shall report,
however, the kindness you have shown me, which will, I feel sure,
help to make your task easier."
"For your suggestions I thank you. You shall be welcome whenever you
choose to call--in your individual capacity."
"You are a sly dog, Judge. I confess myself completely out-generaled
in diplomacy, and have dropped it. Hereafter I wish to be known only
as your friend. In the language of the Spaniards, buenas noches,
amizo mio."
Never more of a diplomat than when he was claiming to have abandoned
diplomacy, the priest took his departure, knowing that he had left
thoughts that would cling and bear fruit. He understood that, though
the Judge might have been able to handle the simple-minded Saguanaldo
by his diplomacy, every good has its better and he had been bested
without realizing it. It is the true test of wit that cuts so smoothly
one does not know of his wound at the time it is given.
The Jesuit sought Bishop Lonzello and spoke imperiously and exultantly:
"I am to have an order from the American governor that the soldiers
are to protect in possession either side of the controversy that
may have possession of churches and convents. You want to summon all
you can command and seize at night on all these buildings that you
can. You haven't half of them now, and by this means you may secure
practically all of them. And the American army is pledged to maintain
you in possession of them, once you are in charge. There is no time
for delay."
Lonzello was not a man who needed to have explained to him the
advantage this gave the friars. He sprang up, before the Jesuit was
through speaking, and began preparing to go on the street and set
his machinery in motion.
"You will not find me sleeping," he said.