Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-04
SETTLE FOR FRIAR LANDS
Secretary Root Forwards Final Instructions
Of Department to Judge Taft.
UNITED STATES PROPOSES TO BUY
Suggestion made that Board Of Arbi-
trntion Agree on Price TO BE
P~aid-Frisrs Must Leave
at Fixed Date.

NJ FiAeu BHNes
ROME, July 3.-Judge william II. Taft,
civil governor Of the Philippine islands,
today received a long cable message from
Secretary Root containing the depart
ment's ANAL instructions concerning the
note relating to the disposition OF the
friar lands in the islands which was drawn
up here Tuesday, and this afternoon Major
Porter delivered the note to Cardinal Ram
polla, the papal secretary of state.
Governor Taft was g~ratihed on learning
from the same message that the Philippine
civil bill had become a law.
Major Porter delivered the note person
ally to Cardinal Rampolla, who conversed
cordially with him at some length, ex-
pressing the hope that the negotiations
would be concluded in time to allow Judge
Taft to leave Rome luly %. The pope
read the original note, which was imme-
diately manifolded for the benefit of the
committee OF cardinals having charge Of
the matter. The note covers fourteen
typewriter pages. 1t begins with &C
knowledging the vatican's note OF June 81
and says he Judge Taft is pleased that
the vatican approves Of the sending to
Rome of a representative Of the president
with the object Of arriving at a satisfac-
tory agreement on the questions in dis
pute and to see that the general views
OF the vatican are in harmony with the
views of Secretary Root, although on one
of the important questions, namely, that
of the religious orders, there appears to
be a difference regarding the methods to
be adopted in order to remove the ad-
mitted difficulty.
Answering the vatican's note proposing
to have the new apostolic delegate at
Manila settle the question Of the religious
orders. Judge Taft remarks:
Thus would be lost the advantages ex-
pected from a direct contract clearly de-
termining the principal lines upon which
cooperation between the state and church
may be assured"
Purchase of Land Proposed.
The note proposes the purchase Of the
land Of the Dominicans and Augustinians
at a price to be determined on by hve
arbitrators, two to be chosen by the United
States, two by the vatican and one by a
neutral, say the British governor Of India.
The arbitrators to meet in Manila no
later tina January l, 1903, examine wit
nesses and visit the land.
The judgment Of the majority 10 be &C
cepted.
The price to be paid in Mexican dollars,
one-third Immediately, a third in nine
months and a bird in eighteen months,
with interest at Az per cent.
Payment to be made to a person chosen by
the vatican.
The former Spanish crown lands now in
possession Of the American government
on which there are ecclesiastical buildings
to be handed over to the ecclesiastical
oficial appointed by the vatican.
The ordinary courts to decide concerning
the land retained by the church, but
claimed by the municipalities.
1t Is hoped that when an apostolic dele
gate competent to represent the holy see
is sent to the Philippines he will be able
to decide which property used for charitable
or educational Institutions belongs to the
church and which to the state.
Cases OF disa greement shall be submitted
to the arbitration Of the same arbitrators
who shall also decide the San Jose founda-
ton case, now pending before the supreme
court of the Philippines.
indemnity for Buildings.
The United States to pay an indemnity
for the buildings used by the American
troops, but nothing is to be paid until the
title deeds are in the hands of the Philip
pine government.
All friars OF the four orders shall with
draw within two years from the first pay
ment. A small number are to continue
during that time to look after the schools
and universities; all OF them must go,
half after nine months from the first pay
ment and half eighteen months later, not
including friars who have not raised the
hostilities of the natives and who re-
manned in their parishes after the revolu-
tion Of 1898 till now, except those in Ma
Mia. Nc Spanish friars may be substituted
for those withdrawn.
The churches, schools and universities
may be directed by Spanish clergy or or
ders other than those withdrawn. or clergy
OF the same order who are not Spanish.
1t is necessary to convince the Fillpinos
that the ancient regime of the Spanish
friars is finished.
The note reminds the vatican that the
orders still publish a paper in Manila,
which is anti american and nti-Philip-
pine, but pro-Spanish, and that the orders
possess property in Manila to the value
Of nearly 5000, 900 Mexican dollars, while
that Of the Catholic church is only valued
at $500, 0bO Mexican dollars. This is very
significant. as the church has a large capt.
tai at interest. besides the land which 1t is
now proposed the government should pur-
chase. To reach the desired object the
best thing is to prevent any member Of
the four Withdrawing orders, without dis
tinction or nationality. from being sent to
the islands.
Must Have Harmony.
Nothing will so calm the people and pro-
duce harmony between the church and the
government as the certainty given by con-
tract that the friars shall leave at a fixed
date, shall not return and shall not exer-
else any influence from Manila over the
priests in the parishes. In view Of these
facts It is hoped the vatican will accept