The times., 1899-09-08
A Delicate question of state.

recent report that the Vatican had
openJ,l negotiations with the United States,
with view to determining the status of
Catholics in the Philippines, has created
some surprise in this country. The general
idea here has been that our absolutely lib
eral and impartial laws with regard to re-
ligion would be naturally extended to our
colonies and dependencies, and that there
would be an end of the matter.
1t would seem, however, that there is
sGme uneasiness in Rome as to the status,
of the religious orders in the archipelago,
in respect of their property claims acquired
under the Spanish rule How far these ex-
tend it would be impossible at this time to
even conjecture; but it was stated by
British authority about a year ago that
nearly one-third of the superficial area Of
the islands, and fully four-fifths of the de-
Z by the friars under some color of title. On
( this point the Treaty of Peace may be re-
ferred TO isefully. The second paragraph
OF Article VIII reads as follows:
/ And it is hereby declared that the relinquisf
ment or cession as The case may be- to which
the preceding paragraph refers cannot in any
respect impair the property rights which
by law belong to the peaceful possession Of prop
efTy of all kinds, of provinces, municipalities
public private establishments, ecclesiastical
or civic bodies anv other associations having
legal capacity TO acquire and possess property
in the Aforesaid territories renounced ceded,
OF whatsoever nationality such individuals may be.
! On its face. the language of the Treaty,
above quoted, is apparently explicit in
/ guaranteeing to such organizations as the
religious orders in the Philippines, what
ever property rights appertained to them
under the Spanish law. 1t should be re-
membered that it was the appropriation
of territory by these very bodies that prin-
cipally has been the canse of all the native
conspiracies and rebellions against tbs
sovereign power for the past century al
least. The Filipinos have claimed and still
claim that the Franciscans, Augustinians
Recollets, and others have absorbed the
Best lands. under grants from the Crown
to the detriment of the lay population
and without giving any consideration
therefor
II can easily be seen that the treaty
undertaking into which We have entered
in this connection, is likely to increase tht
difficulties of pacifcation, if our obliga-
lions compel us to perpetuate a system
which has been always and is universally
opposed and resisted by the natives. Ant
the trouble may not stop at the point o
ecclesiastical possession of the bulk o
valuable real estatei
II will be noticed that paragraph secon:
of Article VIII, declares that, the relin
cuishment or cession, as the case may b
cannot in any respect impair th
property, OF rights which by law belong
to the peaceful possession of property,
etc. Now, under the Spanish Crown, on
of the settled rights of the religious or
ders. in the peaceful possession OF proper
"" was complete immunity from taxa
tion. DO we inherit an obligation to con
firm 10 the friars the gratuitous grant
J from Spain Of all the best land areas i
sight. and, in addition to hold the sam
immune from contribution 10 the ne-es
sary revenues of the municipality and th
: State? Are we in duty and honor boun
10 protect the religious orders in thei
old position of non -contributive monopoly
! and tax the less valuable property of th
laity for all the expenses of government
Considerations like the foregoing hay
: been engaging the attention of the Stat
= Department for some time. The condi
, tions are apt TO become embarrassing. an
e viii doubtless be made the basis OF niue
e Diplomatic and quasi-diplomatic dis
n cussion. The Vatican movement,
d bring the questions involved to
e hearing and settlement. is doubtless d,
5 signed TO promote early action In IL
sense that it. will force the Administratic
to the adoption of policy which it ca
explain to the people we glad that
u has been started thus early.