to alienate them from
his cause. In his overtures towards those whose co-operation he sought
there was a notable want of frankness and a disposition to treat them
with that diplomatic reserve compatible only with negotiations between
two adverse parties. His association with the lay initiator of the
scheme, unrevealed at the outset, incidentally came to their knowledge
with surprise and disapproval. Judging, too, from the well-known
tenets of the initiator's associates, there was a suspicion lest the
proposed Philippine Independent Church were really only a detail in
a more comprehensive plan involving absolute separation from foreign
control in any shape. Again, he hesitated openly to declare his views
with respect to the relations with Rome. Conscience here seemed
to play a lesser part than expediency. The millions in the world
who conscientiously disclaim the supremacy of the Pope, at least
openly avow it. In the present case the question of submission to,
or rebellion against, the Apostolic successor was quite subordinate
to the material success of the plans for independence. It is difficult
to see in all this the evidence of religious conviction.

Dr. Sevilla had been requested to proceed to Rome to submit to the
Holy Father the aspirations of the Philippine people with respect to
Church matters, and he consented to do so, provided the movement did
not in any way affect their absolute submission to the Holy See, and
that the Philippine Church should remain a Catholic Apostolic Church,
with the sole difference that its administration should be confided
to the Filipinos instead of to foreigners, if that reform met with
the approval of his Holiness. [281]

Only at this stage did Aglipay admit that he sought independence
of Rome; thereupon the Philippine clergy of distinction abandoned
all thought of participation in the new movement, or of any action
which implied dictation to the Holy See. Nevertheless, two native
priests were commissioned to go to Rome to seek the Pope's sanction
for the establishment of an exclusively Philippine hierarchy under
the supreme authority of the Pope. But His Holiness immediately
dismissed the delegates with a _non possumus_. The petition to His
Holiness was apparently only the prelude to the ultimate design to
repudiate the white man's control in matters ecclesiastical, and
possibly more beyond.

Gregorio Aglipay then openly threw off allegiance to the Pope, went to
Manila, and in t