The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-25
TAFT's MESSAGE TO FlLlPlNos
Tells Them the Results of His Mis-.
sion 70 the Nathan

sicn TO the Vatican.
| Washington, Sept. 24-Ihe Bureau OF
Insular Affairs today furnished to the
press copies of the speech made by Gov
crnor Taft on the occasion Of a recep-
ton rendered him when ne arrived in
the Philippines. In the course Of a
speech Governor Taft said:
You can be very sure that it will
only be a matter Of year or two be-
fore the American duty on Phlippin pro-
ducts will be reduced to so small fig
ure as to make it practically free trade.
Delays in congressional action on the
tariff and postponement of the time for
popular assembly are only the out
growth of a conservatism due to a doubt
on the part of many as to the real con-
ditions in the islands a doubt. / may
say. which nothing VIII so quickly dis
pei as a quiet prosecution Of agriculture
and other pursuits and an adoiding Of
useless political agitation for the next
year.
THE many questions requiring the set
tlement between the Philippine govern
ment and the church led the president
and secretary of war TO direct me to
visit Rome for a conference with the pope
to see if q basis Of settlement might
not be reached. After an audience with
the pope the Instructions were referred
To a committe of cardinals, and an ans
wer was given ne. agreeing generally
with all the propositions stated in the
instructions. which included among other
things the purchase Of the friars' lands
by the government.
This answer proposed that further
negotiations be had betEeen an apos-
tolic delegate and myself in Manila. With
thee hope Of having less To do IN Ma
mia. and by authority Of the secretary.
1 replied by suggesting TO the pope the
form of a contract 10 be signed in Rome
submitting the questions at issue to
tribunal OF arbitration 20 consist Of two
members appointed by the pope two by
this government and the fifth to be ap-
pointed by the viceroy Of India.
The questions were:
First the price 70 be paid for the
friars lands. second. the price to be
paid Tor the occupation OF parish
churches and converts by American
troops; third. The disposition Of edu-
cational and charitable trusts. including
the San Jose college case. The con
tract included covenant that the mem
bers Of the four great religious orders
who were all spaniaris. should leave the
Islands in two years after the first pay
ment was made for the lands and that
only secular priests or non-Spanish mem
bers of the regular clergy should act as
parish priests.
The vatican agreed 70 sign such 2
contract excepting the last covenant.
which the pope declined 70 sign. first.
because IL related 70 the administration
OF religious matters. not the prorer sub
ject Of q commercial contract. second.
because Of signing such a covenant Il
would give just o1ense 20 spain. whose
subjects the friars were and - such
were entitled 10 remain II the Islands un-
der the treaty Of Parts. ana because the
vs sticaa did not wish u give couute-
nance 10 what were regarded as the
exaggerated charges against then
Instead az this. however. sne pope
said. through Cardinal Rampona. that he
intended 70 reorganize the churchNof the
islands. 70 recall the frlars nov in the