The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-09-20
An International Dispute That Has Been
Going on for Years is Now
Nearing Settlement.
Archbishop Riordan Of California Now al
the Hague in the Interest
of This Country.

ments to tire sufferings and privations
If the friars-were abandoned. They
became but piles of ;tdobe-historic
ruins that still excite the curiosity of
1ens of thousands of tourists who year
ly visit the Pacific coast.
During the administration of Don
Pho Pico, the last Mexican governor
Of California, the missions passed into
private hands. Some were sold, 9TH
ers rented. Father Narciso Duran, the
last of the Flanciscans to brave the
poverty of those dark days, died in
want. The ''gringo'' had come.
Imperious Santa Anna, greedy and
Wilful in his sway, as president of the
Mexican republic, indirectly caused
the control of the missions to pass
temporarily from the church. In 1912
he practically confiscated the pious
fund. 1t then consisted of real estate.
urban and rural, mortgages and col
lateral securities representing more
than a century and a half of careful
administration by the friars and the
Spanish crown. BY decree it was sold
for $2,000,O00 and the money covered
into the depleted Mexican treasury.
The fund had been pillaged at intervals
and credits amounting to $1,OOO,OOO
We're held against THE treasury
In 1868 the crown had invited the
Jesuits to undertake the task of gain
ing foothold ON California soil, wh1cn
had proved too great for the soldiery,
but it was fifty-four years later, when
the religious orders made the attempt.
The Jesuits offerd to effect the reduc-
ton of the country without expense
to Spain if allowed to select their CIV
il and military officers in the new do
main. The burden of the task fell
upon Fathers Juan Maria Salvaterra
and Francisco Eusibio Kino, who We're
fired with amazing zeal to civilize the
Indians.
These men started the pious fund.
To reclaim California from the heath
Ell was their Cry. Don Alonzo Dava-
Las, ConH de Miravalles, Don Mateo
Fernandez de Ia Cruz and the Marquis
de Buena Vista each gave 81 900. 9th
er noble dons contributed until within
a very short time the fund amounted
to $4,000. Don Pedro de la Sierpe
then treasurer of Aucapulco, added a
'gillipot to transport the missionaries
From 1897 to 1745 many large contri-
buttons were made
The sainted Father Juan Ugurte,
noted for his immense stature, as well
for [his zeal as missionary, and Faith
er Francisco Maria Piccola, shortly
joined Fathers Salvatferr and Kino
in the undertaking. Salvater1a finally
sailed from the mouth of the Yaqui
river and reached California with
corporal, five soldiers and three 1eo.
phyte Indians. With this force he
aimed at no less than the conquest of
the country as far north as Cape Men
dOcino. But this task was destined to
be left to other hands. Father Ugarte
remained in Mexico as proc,mator of
the fund until the .Jesuits were driven
from the country in 1768 by royal de-
cree. The trust then devOlved on the
crown and the missions in alta Califor-
mia were given to the Franciscan and
chose i'll lower California to the Do
minican friars.
The memorable march of Father Jn-
niperO Sierra, one of the Franciscans,
from San Diego to San Francisco was
not begun until 1863. This holy man,
after untold hardships and privations,
laid the foundation for the missionary
system and his labors were one of the
most potent factors in the early up
building of the Golden Gate Each
mission. when established, was given
ali endowment of $4,000 from the nj
GUS fund and from the revenue thus
derived the padres We're able to carry
OH the work of civilizing the red men.
On the declaration of Mexican inde-
pendence, Mexico succeeded the crown
Of Spain as trusteea of the fund. and
a junta was established to administer