Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-17
TAFT REPLIES TO VATICAN
Outlines Another Plan Relative to the
Friar Lands.
WOULD HAVE THE QUESTION SOLVED
Notes wisdom of some Suggestions
Made by Vatican, but Observes
such Would Not Meet
the End Desired.

OF the army at Washington personally de-
livered to Cardinal Rampolla, the papal sec
retary Of state, the last note OF Judge Taft,
governor Of the Philippine islands. on the
subject Of the withdrawal Of the friars
from the islands, which will presumably
end the governments negotiations, as Major
Porter simultaneously presented letter
from Judge Taft asking for a farewell au-
dience Of the pope.
The following is, in part, Judge Tafts
note to the vatican. 1t Is addressed to
Cardinal Rampolla. papal secretary of
state, and begins thus;
In reply TO the two notes of your emil
nence Of June 21 and July 3, l have Just
received communication from the secre-
tery terms oi which are here REPRODUCED integ-
rally. Secretary Root says he Is glad TO see
by the two notes received from the vatican
intentions to come to an understanding
with Washington about the relations be-
tween church and state in the Phihpplnes,
can to be disposed to give clear and pre-
else instructions to the friars to occupy
entirely from politics, and that the holy see
proposes to introduce, little by httle'
ecclesiastics of other Municipalities. espe-
he cannot do less than acknowledge the
wisdom of these propositions, but that he
must observe that they would not solve the
question.
Would Not Violate Paris Treaty.
The United States has no desire to violate
the treaty Of Paris, and seeks not forcl-
BILE but voluntary, withdrawal of certain
persons, who happen TO be Spaniards, and
whose previous experiences in the islands
had thrown them into antagonistic rela-
tions with the people and with the Catholic
laiety and native clergy, many of whom
reinstated by using material force, which
the United States cannot permit. This
proves that the government of the Philip
pines has no intention to propose measures
contrary to the interests of the vatican,
and, in fact, its interest in the church If
the question of withdrawal be left un-
solved, not that the Washington govern
ment has persuaded the ecclesiastical au-
thorities to see the necessity of carrying
out this step, the latter withdrawal OF the
friars under order of the religious superior
could not be regarded as anything but
voluntary and would & not violate the de tresg cay
as affirming or admitting any accusations
against the friars, because the American
government made no such accusation. The
United States did not desire the withdrawal
for itself-it was Indifferent TO the presence
Of the friars-but in the interest, of the
bitterly opposed to their presence.
Desire of Philippine People.
1t was thought by the generous proposal
OF a contract which would bind the Philip
pine government to certain financial and
ionged for desire Of the Philippine people in
the withdrawal of friars. Now that the
vatican does not see its way clear to make
ernment has deemed 1t Wiser to recur to
the methods of settlement of the various
questions at issue, suggested by Cardinal
Rampollas first communication OF June Il,
namely:
First an investigation by both sides into
the possible and probable liabilities and
claims and the settlement of them by an
accredited apostolic delegate with the gov
ernor in Manila, after the conditions with
| ~ g. h.. rf fHa RNa
land and the amount of claims for rental
have been presented by the representatives
ot the church to the representatives. of the
Philippine government In Manila.
AS to the indemnity for the friars' lands,
your eminence has pointed out the diff
exact value, but this might be done by
examining the title deeds. The Washing
ton government will immediately order the
general commanding the forces in the
Philippines to furnish all indications neces-
sary to ascertain what damage has been
TeEretfyl that ali The questions have not
been decided definitely the government is
glad to express satisfaction at the results
obtained.
Secretary Root in his communication de-
cIares that Judge Taft's journey is quite
compensated for by the fact that It is pos
sible to fx general lines on which later can
be smicably resolved all the questions now
pending.
Want List of Property.
Meanwhile. as a preliminary. he wishes
Cardinal Rampolla to send to the Philip
pine government four lists OF the property
considered to belong to the religious
orders, comprising:
1. That transferred to corporation.
2. The ecclesiastical buildings occupied
by the troops. with indications of the dam
age and compensation therefore.
8. The property before considered Span
| ish crown lands, which It is desired the
| American government should transfer to
tho church, though Washington will grant
such transfers only on condition that a
| satisfactory agreement be reached on all
other questions
4. The charitable and educational insti-
| tutions which the vatican desires to be
classed as belonging to the church.
Secretary Root concludes by instructing
Judge Taft to express to Cardinal Ram
polla his pleasure that the visit of the
American representative has resulted in a
broad basis for harmonious settlement,
his thanks for the courtesy shown by the
vatican TO Judge Taft and for the prompt
ness with which the vatican has acted, and
his hopes that. though no specific agree
ment has been reached, the vatican will
ultimately nnd It Just to do what has been
| slgnalized
Judge Taft concluded his note to the
| vatican thus:
I'm obedience to Secretary Roots dis
patch. l request that the future negotia-
tions on the points raised be held in
Manila between an apostolic delegate and
the governor, after the information sug-
gested above by Secretary Root has been
ascertained and presented"
object of the Demands
| WASHINGTON. July ia high oniciaI
OF the government makes the following
statement concerning the negotiations
pending in Rome. II can be authorita-
lively stated that substantially the facts
contained in this statement were cabled
to Governor Taft in the latest instructions
as basis Of his reply to the vatican: