"But that means that the Spanish friars are to lose power in the Philippines. Do you realize what you are asking us to forego?" "Perfectly. You have had your opportunity and have made a failure of it. The natives have been rebelling against you for three hundred years. Now, Aglipay has stirred a schism that has taken from Rome a majority of our churches. So long as the Spanish friars remain in power the dissatisfaction will increase rather than diminish. It seems providential that America should come at this time, for it gives the supreme pontiff an opportunity to transfer you and by diplomacy save the work you have done for the church." The friar sank back in his chair and thought. Then he mildly said: "It is a hard thing you ask." "Yes, but your order asked the same thing once of the Jesuits, and, on order of the Pope, we were expelled from the Philippines for many years. Now the supreme pontiff is merely exercising his right of transfer relative to the three orders of friars in the Philippines. It is his voice, and you will not dare disobey it." "I suppose, of course, we shall have to submit. But it is hard. Shall we have to lose our property, our lands?" "I come with a mission to the Americans relative to them. I have not talked with the Americans yet, but I can assure you justice. As for the churches and convents, you have lost them to the church, and it is part of my mission to regain them for the church." "I shall have to submit. But I can not overcome my hatred of the Americans and I will not remain to knuckle to the natives. I wish I might strike them one hard blow." He brought his fist down on the table with a thump. The Jesuit was silent a moment. Then he said: "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. You know the response." "The lands which the supreme pontiff gave to Legaspi he may take again from the heirs of Legaspi." "I can not for the life of me see where the holy church will profit from the change, seeing that Spain is a Catholic country and America is heretic." "Spain will remain true to the church even if she loses. But if America wins, then we may not only win back into the fold the schismatics of the islands, but stand also a chance of winning America, and with it the world. It is the greatest, opportunity the church has had for years." "I do not yet see how you expect to win America."