The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-07
FRIARS HAVE SOLD OUT
Pope Discovers a Fact That May In
teresf Americans in Philippines.

4
Rome, August 6.-According to informa-
ton received by the vatican almost all
the real estate belonging to the Spanish
friars in the Philippines was sold before
American occupation to syndicates and
corporations duly registered and legally
recognized, headed by Americans living
/ in New York. 1t is alleged by the same
authority that although the friars hold
some shares in these corporations. they
don't own control of the interests. The
vatican is surprised at this information.
in view OF Governor Taft's proposition TO
buy the friars' lands, of which they ap-
parently are no longer in control. 1t Is
considered remarkable that Governor
Taft, fresh from the Philippines, was not
aware of the situation.
Washington, August 6-The war depart
ment has known for some time that por-
tons of the Friar lands in the Philip
pines have been disposed of 10 compa-
MES, and all of the recent negotiations
conducted by Secretary Root have care
fully taken into account any contingent
cies which might arise through these
transfers. The facts were fully COM
municated TO the government here by
Governor Taft. The latter also explain
eed this matter of alleged transfer 10 the
senate committee on the Philippines. In
the course Of his evidence before the COM
mittee Governor Taft said, in answer to
the question whether the Friars were in
actual possession Of the lands:
Generally in order To avoid hostilities,
they have transferred their titles to COM
pan4es and retained majority OF the
stock" Being asked as TO these COM
panies Governor Taft explained their
status as followsi
II wish to say that one of these com
panies or a stakeholder Of one of the
companies, has filed a protest with the
acting governor which l have with me,
against the condemnation OF these lands.
because of the interest some Individual
owners have in them. But 1 want to add
that I do not think that protest has suf
fcient weight TO vary the truth of my
statement that the commission has rea-
sonabie ground to believe that, with the
authority which it asks, to-wit. to issue
bonds, it can at reasonable prices pur-
chase this land
AS to the bona-fide nature of the trans
fers to certain companies. Governor Taft
said that he had cross examined the heads
OF religious orders He added
4 think after you read the evidence it
will become obvious that while it is true
that transfers have been made, they have
been colorado in this sense-not fraudu-
lent. I do not say that-but they have
been colorado in the sense that the trans
fer made was for the purpose of giving
A. Tr-ft,-
had parted with their titles and thus ia
cilitating the collection of rents, while in
fact the ownership is still retained. That
is my information as to the condition Of
the titles now, in spite Of the protest fled
by some stock holders with respect to
the ownership of some haciendas."
Having in mind this information that
the Friars had sold portions of their lands
to companies, Secretary Root said in his
last dispatch of instruction to Governor
Taft, sent TO the latter at Rome, that in
case Of a successful close of the negotia-
lions, lists must be furnished not only Of
the land, but also of titles which had
been merged in the stock CT corpora
tons, with the total stock Of such cor
porauons and the amount Of stock held
by the religious order
Aside from this information given by
Governor Taft, the war department has
been advised from time to time OF certain
individual transfers made by religious in
stitutions in the Philippines TO persons
and organizations in this country. One
such transfer is represented by a lead
ing firm of attorneys in New York and
another is represented by Washington
firm Of attorneys. The negotiations have
proceeded. however, with the idea that
these transfers were not Of a character to
interrupt the contamination OF the main
object of securing a transference Of the
lands as an entirety.