The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-18
LAST NOTE FROM A r
Vatican Evidently Trying to Come
to An ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of
Philippines.

Rome. July 16.-The following is. N
part. Judge Taft's note to the Vatican.
1t is addressed to Cardinal Rampolle.
papal secretary OF state and begins
thus:
In reply TO the two notes OF -FOUR
eminence Of June 21st, and July 9Th, 1
have just received a communication
from Secretary Root, IN precise and ex-
haustive terms, which are here repro
duced integrally. Secretary Root says
he Is glad to see by the two notes re-
ceiyed from the Vatican that the Holy
See is animated by the best intentions
TO come to IN understanding with
Washington the relations between
church and state in the Philippines;
that your eminence has declared the
Vatican TO be disposed to give clear and
precise Instructions to the Friars TO oc-
cupy themselves with religion only, alb
staining entirely from politics and that
the Holy See proposes to introduce, lit
tie by little ecclesiastics of other ma
~tionaitieS, especially American. Secre-
tary Root adds that he cannot do less
than acknowledge the wisdom OF these
propositions but that he must observe
that they would not solve the question.
The United States has 40 desire to
violate the treaty Of Paris, and seeks
not a forcibie, but a voluntary, with
travail of certain persons, who happen
TO be Spaniards, and whose previous
experiences in the islands had thrown
them into a~ntagonistic relations with
the people n with the Catholic Laity
and native clergy, many Of whom have
left their parishes and can only be re-
instated by using material force, which
he United States cannot permit. This
proves Ia the government OF the Phil
pplnes has no intention to propose
measures contrary to the interests of
the vatican, and, in fact, it's interest in
the church. If the question of with
drawal, be left unsolved, now that the
Washington government las persuaded
the ecclesiastical authorities to see the
necessity of carrying out this step, the
later withdrawal of the FriarS under
order of the religious superior could not
be regarded as anything but voluntary
and would not violate the treaty of
Paris; n0r could such order be regarded
as affirming or admitting any accusa-
tons 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 whole people
Of the Philippines. who were bitterly
opposed to their presence.
1T was thought, by the generous
III " SoAlI ~ NoolA
bind the Philippine government to GER
tain financial and other obligations to
secure the much longed for desire of the
Philippine people in the withdrawal Of
the F'riars. Now that the Vatican does
not see it's way clear to make a efin
withdrawal, the American government
has deemed it wiser to recur to the
methods of settlement of the various
questions at issue suggested by Cardi-
nal Rampolla'S first communication, Of
June 21St, namely:
First. An investigation by both
sides into the possible and probable liza
bilities and claims and the settlement
of them by an accredited apostolic del
egate with the governor in Manila, af-
ter the conditions with respect to the
titles of the Friars to the land and the
amount of claims for rental have been
presented by the representative OF the
church to the representatives of the
Philippine government in Manila.
Secretary Root in his communication
declares that Judge Taft's journey is
quite compensated for by the fact that
it is possible to fix general lines on
which, later, can be amicably resolved
all the questions now pending.
Meanwhile, as a preliminary, he wish
es Cardinal Rampolla to send to the
Philippine government four lists of the
property considered to belong to the
T6llSlOuS OIuSIS, COllpI SllS
"One.-That transferred to corpora
lions.
"Two.-The ecclesiastical buildings
occupied by the troops, with indications
Of the damage and compensation
therefore.
Three.-The property before consider
ed Spanish crown lands.
"Fourth.-The charitable and educa-
tionaI institutions which he vatican
desires to be considered as belonging to
the church."
At moor today Major Porter, of
the judge-advocateS department of
the army at Washington per-
sonally delivered to Cardinal Ram
polla the papal secretary 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 governors negotiations here as
Major Porter simultaneously present.
ed a letter from Judge Taft asking for
a farewell audience of the ope.