Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-15

uuhAIAIINS THE FHiAH
Is the Philippine friar problem to be-
come a bone Of sectarian contention? 1t
is to be apprehended that it will unless
a satisfactory arrangement is soon eff
fected between our government and the
vatican in regard to the withdrawal Of
the friars. The situation at present is
clearly defined. This government re-
quires that all friars of the four orders
in the Philippines shall withdraw within
two years from the first payment for
their lands, half during nine months
from the first payment and half eight
cen months later. No Spanish friars
may be substituted for those with
drawn. In answer to this the vatican
stated that 1t could not accept the prop
osition to recall the friars within the
fixed period, that such recall would be
contrary to the rights guaranteed by the
treaty of Paris and would put the holy
see in conflict with Spain.
But by way of compromise the vatican
promised to try to gradually introduce
Into the Philippines clergy Of other ma
tionalities, especially Americans, as they
are found ready or are adapted to the
purpose. 1t was also agreed that the
friars shall not return to the parishes
they left and where their presence could
provoke trouble. The reply of the vati-
can is being considered by the president
and vatican and 1t is probable that some
compromise agreement will be reached.
A Washington dispatch of a few days
ago said 1t was realized In official circles
that the instructions to Governor Taft
represented the extreme of our claims
and that they did not preclude the idea
Of reasonable compromise by mutual
concessions. 1t was further stated that
the immediate and complete withdrawal
Of the Spanish friars from the Philip
pines is not now expected, but 1t is be-
lieved that the result desired can be ac-
complished by an arrangement for the
substitution of frlars Of another nation
atty, and the principal issue now is as
to the time In which this change may be
brought about.
Meanwhile there is being manifested
a disposition to make this matter a sub
ject Of sectarian contention, which
would be most unfortunate, since 1t
would certainly complicate the question.
The resolutions adopted by the Catho-
lies of Grand Rapids, Mich, Sunday, are
untimely and unwarranted and there
fore likely TO prove mischievous. There
have been utterances from Protestant
sources not less Objectionable. The New
York Sun notes the receipt of letters
from Both Catholics and Protestants
which, 1t says, make the ~grievous mis-
take of reviving the religious intemper-
ance of the past, and adds: 1.-The only
way to settle that problem, new in the
history Of American government, is to
approach 1t In a reasonable spirit, from
which is removed every trace of the old
odium theologium and to treat it as a
practical matter, with a view to the in
t~erests Of harmony and peace both in
the Philippines themselves and here al
home, in both the Catholic and the
Protestant camps"
HNSAS AhhSAAi6Nhl anu uupItJuulCCN
person must see that this is not a ques-
ton for the churches. Religion is not in.
volved in 1t. 1t is purely a matter OF gov.
ernmental policy. The desire Of the gov.
eminent that the Spanish friars shall be
withdrawn is prompted by the well-at
tested fact that they are very generally
disllked by the Filipino people, and 1t II
believed their withdrawal would be II
the interest Of peace and order. There
is no objection to Catholics priests o.
other nationalites replacing the friars
The churches should take no part in thii
issue. The United States government.
does not intend TO promote sectarian
ism in the Philippines. 1t will main
tain there a complete separation o.
church and state, giving an equal chanc,
and equal protection to Catholicism anC
Professionalism. Meddling by tn,
churches can only aggravate the friai