New-York tribune., 1901-01-28
TO PROTECT PROPERTY OF FRIARs.


The friars have large property interests in these
islands which the United States Government is
bound by treaty obligations and by the law of its
being to protect. 1t is natural and proper that
the frars should feel a desire 70 remain where
so much Of their treasure is. Nearly all the i'm
mense agricultural holdings have been trans
ferred by the three orders: by the Dominicans
to a man named Andrews; by the Recol-
letos TO al English corporation, and by the
Augustinians 10 another corporation; but these
transfers do not seem to have been out and out
estates without direct intervention Of the friars,
for selling the same when proper price can
be secured. The friars seem TO remain the real
owners. II would avoid some very troublesome
agrarian disturbances between the friars and
their quondam tenants if the Insular Govern
ment could buy these large hacendas of the
friars, and sell them out in small holdings 10
the present tenants. who, forgiven for the rent
due during the two years Of war, would recog-
nize the title Of the Government without demur,
and gladly accept opportunity. by payment
OF the price in small instaIments to become
absolute owners of that which they and their
ancestors have so long cultivated.
With the many other calls upon the insular
treasury a large financial operation like this
could probably not be conducted TO successful
issue without the aid of the United States Gov
ernment either by direct loan or by guar
anty Of bonds to be issued for the purpose. The
bonds or loans could be met gradually from the
revenues of the islands, while the proceeds OF
the land. which would sell readily could be
used TO constitute a school fund. This object.
II declared, would make the plan most popular.
because the desire for education by the Filipinos
aging promise Of the future mental development
OF a now uneducated and ignorant people
WOULD ACCEPT SATISFACTORY PRICE.
The provincials of the orders understood
in their evidence to intimate a willingness on
the part of the orders to sell their agricultural
holdings IL a satisfactory price should be paid.
What such price would be we are unable with
out further investigation to state. If an agree
ment could not be reached it is probable though
upon this we express definite opinion. that
there would be ground in the circumstances for
a resort to condemnation proceedings
AS the Catholic Church is and ought 70 con-
tinue prominent factor in the life peace, con-
tentment and progress of the Philippine people.
II would seem the wisest course. wherever 1t is
possible to do without infringing upon the
principle that Church and State must be kept
separate, TO frame civil laws which shall accord
with views conscientiously entertained by Cath
deal unfairly with the people of different faith.
II would seem clear that any government organ
lied under the sovereignty of the United States
cannot devote public money to the teaching of
any particular religion.
It has been suggested, however, that in any
system of public education organized in these
islands IL would be proper to afford to every
ligious denomination the right to send religious
instructors to the public schools to instruct the
children of parents who desire 1t in religion
several times a week. at times when such In
struction shall not interfere with the regular
curriculum This is what Is understood TO be
the Fairbault plain 1t is not certain that this
would meet completely the views of the Catholic
hierarchy, but it is likely that it would avoid
that active hostility TO a public school system
which might be formidable obstacle in spread
ing education among these Catholic people. The
Commission has reached definite conclusion
upon the matter but only states the question
as one calling for solution in the not far distant
fIIt