New-York tribune., 1902-08-07
LANDS OF FRIARS SOLD.
NOW LARGELY OWNED BY
1HERICAN STNDICATES.
,>-roRMATIoN FROM THE PHILIPPINES
= GREAT SURPRISE TO VATI-
CAN OFFICIALS
CAN OFFICIALS.


,,ived by the Vatican. almost all the real estate
bsloneire 10 Spanish friars in the Philippines
as sold before American occupation to syndi-
ctes and corporations duly registered and
lsrair recognized. headed by Americans living
!, New York II is asserted on the same au-
,bority that although the friars hold some
shares in these corporations. they do not own
controlling interests,
The Vatican is surprised at this information
in view of Governor Taft's proposition 10 buy
the friars' lands. which apparently are no
longer in their control II is considered remark
able here that Governor Taft. fresh from the
Philippines. was not aware Of the situation
GOVERNOR TAFT REPORTED ON TRANS
FERs OF FRIARs' LANDS.
Washington Aug. 6-The War Department
has known for some time that portions of the
f-fars' lands in the Philippines have been dis
posed Of 10 companies. and all the recent nego-
iiations conducted ny Secretary Root have care
fully taken into account any contingencies
which might arise through these transfers.
The facts were fully communicated TO the gov
ernmenJ here by Governor Taft who also ex-
plained the matter to the Senate Committee on
the Philippines. In the course of his evidence
answer 10 the question whether the friars were
in actual possession of the lands:
Generally in order TO avoid hostiIities. they
have transferred their titles 10 companies and
retained the majority of the stock
Being asked as TO these companies, Governor
Taft explained their status as follows:
| wish to say that one OF these companies.
or a stockholder of one Of the companies. has
HIe6 a protest with the Acting Governor. which
h-x-a NTH mo inst he
these lands, because Of the interest some fndi-
viduaI owners have in them But / want to add
that I do not think that protest has suh1c1ent
weight to vary the truth of my statement that
the commission has reasonable ground to be-
iieve that with the authority which il asks. TO
Wit. issue bonds, II can at reasonable prices
purchase this land.
AS to the bona fde nature of the transfers to
certain companies. Governor Taft said he had
cross-examined the heads of religious orders
He added:
I think after YOU read the evidence it will
become obvious that while it is true that trans
fers have been made they have been coloraple IN
This sense-not fraudulent; l do not say that-
but they have been colorado in the sense that
the transfer made was for the purpose OF givlng
The pubic the impression that the fTlaTS nae
married. with their titles and thus facilitating the
collection of rents, while in fact the oWnersnio Is
sill retained That is my information as to the
5j+ioT, of the titles now in spite Of protest
flied by some stockholders with respect 10 lAe
ownership of some haciendas
Having in mind this information that the
friars had sold portions of their lands to com
panies, Secretary Root said in his last dispatch
Of instruction TO Governor Taft, sent to the lat
ter at Rome. that in case Of a succession issue
Of the negotiations lists must be furnished nor
only Of the land. but also Of titles which hao
been merged in the stock Of corporations with
the total stock Of such corporations ana the
amount held by the religious orders
Aside from this information given by cover
nor Taft. the War Department has been e auliseI
Froro +e ~ time of certain individual transfers
made bv religious institutions in the philippines
10 persons and organizations In TINS coun.Ls-
One such transfer is represented by leaulAs
firm of attorneys in New-York. and another -
represented by q Washington firm or ATTORNEYS. 3s.
The negotiations have proceeded, hoWe.et' ~
the idea that these transfers were not OF d chdL
acter 20 interrupt the consumInation OF Ine !naa ~
objects Of securing the transfer OF the ian1S dS
an erfiretv.