It is estimated that 2,000 of the American soldiers in the expeditionary force are Catholics, and Father Daugherty was anxious to preach to them in English.  During the call upon me by the Archbishop this subject was discussed, and the suggestion made that the Americans had tents in great number that they did not occupy and that would probably not be preserved by keeping them stored in that hot and trying climate.  They might be pitched on the Luneta, which is beside the sea, and the town thus relieved of 13,000 men, who, herded in churches, produced unsanitary conditions.  This seemed reasonable, and the policy of the change would have a tendency to develop an element of good-will not to be despised and rejected.  It might be that the cathedral alone could be cleared without delay or prejudice with a pleasant effect, and if so why not?  His grace was certainly diplomatic and persuasive in stating the case, and his attendants were animated with zeal that the Americans should have the credit of re-opening the cathedral for worship.  It was true the Spanish garrison first occupied it, but if the necessity that its ample roof should protect soldiers from the torrential rains had existed perhaps it had ceased to be imperative.  The matter was duly presented to the military authorities, and the objection found to immediate action that the Spanish prisoners of war should not for the time be located outside the walled city.  They must be held where they could be handled.

Coincident with the call of the Archbishop came Captain Coudert, of the distinguished family of that name in New York, and his grace was deeply interested in that young man and warmly expressed his gratification in meeting an American officer of his own faith.  The Archbishop is a man of a high order of capacity, and his influence has been great.  His position is a trying one, for it would be quite impossible for him to remain in Manila if the insurgents should become the masters of the situation.  The claim of hostile natives that the Spanish priests have an influence in matters of state that make them a ruling class is one that they urge when expressing their resolve that the Friars must go.  The Spanish policy, especially in the municipal governments, has been to magnify the office of the priests in political functions.  The proceedings of a meeting of the people in order to receive attention or to have legal standing must be certified by a priest.  It is the Spanish priest that is wanted in matters of moment, and the laws make his presence indispensable.  The Spanish priests are, therefore, identified in the public mind with all the details of misgovernment.  The civilized Filipinos profess christianity and faith in the native priests, carefully asserting the distinction.  In his conversation with me, General Aguinaldo repeatedly referred to the necessity of consulting his advisers, and said he had to be careful not to offend many of his followers, who thought he had gone very far in