The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-10
By ARBITRAT ton.
Method Proposed by the Church
OF Rome
For Settlement Of the Philip.
pine Land Problem.
CAN'T PUT FRIARS OUT,
But Will Assist in Substituting
Others When Possible.
Will Urge Natives to Accept
American Institutions.

washington, July 1O.-A cablegram has
been received at the war department from
Gov Taft transmitting the reply of the
vatican to the proposals of the u. S. gov
eminent. Secretary Root did not get the
message until late in the forenoon as it had
to be translated from cipher and he has
not yet considered the subject
The answer of the Vatican is compiled
in the order of Judge Taft's note of July
g. First comes the note, which says that
all the studies of the Vatican were CEN
tered to render more clear, more precise
and more definite the conditions between
the Holy See and the Philippine govern
ment- In fact, the note begs that if
something further with this intent can be
proposed, that it be freely expressed, adj
ding that it would be considered with
great pleasure. The introduction proceeds
in this tone until it comes to the question
of the recall of the friars. 1t then says
the Vatican can not accept the proposition
to recall the friars within the fixed Pc
riod. Such recall not being justified by
reasons of force majeure, it would be
contrary to the rights guaranteed by
the treaty of Paris and would put the Holy
See in conflict with Spain. 1t asks:
IF the United States not order the
withdrawal of the friars, how can the pope
do so, especially when it has been proved
that all the accusations made against
them were partly false. partly exaggerat-
ed and partly inexact." However, the
Vatican promises that it will try to in
other nationalities. especially Americans,
gradually, they are found ready or are
adapted to the purpose.
The note agrees that the friars shall not
return to the parishes they left and where
their presence could provoke trouble
The note ends by saying that the pope is
willing that the school question in the
Philippines be not insisted on now,
tatfve in Manila may have an understand
ing with Judge Taft on that point,
which is of capital Importance in coun-
try almost exclusively Catholic.
The vatican's answer to Judge Taft fol-
The contract which the vatican proposes
shall be signed by both parties and com
The first article says the Philippine gov
eminent is to buy the lands Of the four re-
acting as Intermediary.
The second article says that If some OF
t thesf frars viii nre sell their share
! The fourth article establishes a tribunal
of arbiters composed OF i've members Two
| of whom are to be chosen by the vatican.
! two by the Philippine government and the
| fifth member by the other four In case
| of disagreement as to the fifth member he
shall be chosen, in common accord, by the
| pope and President Roosevelt
| of the arbiters shall begin January /, 1903.
| The sixth article refers to title deeds;
these will be transferred to the Philippine
| government.
Article seven sets forth that PAYMENT us is
/ to be made IN mexican collars III tite
period of time proposed by Judge Taft in
his note of July g. interest os during the
Article eight deals with the transfer to
| the church of ancient crown lands with
ecclesiastical buildings on them
| The ninth article proposes amicable &C
| cord in the matter of existing charitable
| or educational trusts which are in dispute.
| In the event of failing to agree in these
| matters recourse is to be had to the same
| arbiters to whom will also be submitted
| the case of the medical college of San Jose
! at Manila.
The tenth article provides for arbitration
, as to the indemnity the United States shall
i pay for the ecclesiastical buildings used
! during the war in the Philippines.
| According to the eleventh article the ex-
i penses of the tribunal of arbiters is to be
| paid by the Philippine government
| Article twelve declares that the Holy See
| in the sphere of action which is in it's con-
| ception shall use all its influence for the
| pacif1cation of the Philippine islands ard
/ in favor of their adhesion to the estab-
| lished government, and that it shall pre-
| vent all political opposition on the part OF
| the clergy both regular and secular.