ed
himself competent to declare that "the accusations adduced against
them (the Religious Orders) are the merest pretexts of shrewd and
anti-American Filipino politicians." [270] As a matter of fact,
nothing anti-American, or American, had any connexion with the
subject. The struggle to expel the friars from these Islands was
initiated years before the Americans contemplated intervention in
Philippine affairs. Open rebellion was started against the friars
twenty months before the Battle of Cavite. Nozaleda and Chapelle
wished to appoint friars to the provincial benefices, whilst protests
against this proposal were coming from nearly every Christian quarter
of the Colony. The Filipinos desired to have the whole administration
of the Church in their own hands and, if possible, to see every
friar leave the Archipelago. The representative Philippine clergy
were Dr. Mariano Sevilla, Father Rojas, Father Changco, and Father
Singson. The great champions of the national cause were the first two,
who stoutly opposed Nozaleda's schemes. Fierce discussions arose
between the parties; Father Sevilla and party defied Nozaleda to
make the appointments he desired, and then sent a cablegram to the
Pope to the following effect:--"Archbishop and Apostolic Delegate
want to appoint friars to the Philippine benefices. The Philippine
people strongly oppose. Schism imminent." Father Sevilla could
not be wheedled into agreeing to Nozaleda's and Chapelle's plans,
so he was sent to prison for two months in the _Calle de Anda_,
Manila, and deportation to the Island of Guam was menacingly hinted
at. When the reply came from Rome, disapproving of the action of the
two prelates, Father Sevilla was released from prison. Nevertheless,
Nozaleda's wrath was unappeased. He then proposed that the benefices
should be shared between Filipinos and friars, whilst Father Sevilla
insisted on the absolute deposition of the friars. At this time there
were 472 members of the four confraternities in the Islands, mostly
in Manila. [271] At a meeting of the Philippine clergy the expulsion
of the friars was proposed and supported by a majority; but Father
Sevilla vetoed the resolution, and his ruling was obeyed. Moreover,
he agreed that the friars should hold some benefices in and near Manila
and the ecclesiastical-educational employments in the colleges. "We,"
said Father Sevilla, "are for the Church; let them continue their work
of education; it is not our function."