The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-10
VATICAN ANSWERS
NOTE OF GOV TAFT
Philippine Government Is 10
Buy Friar Lands.
HOLY SEE IS INTERMEDIARY
According to the Fifth Article the Ar.
biters VIII Begin Work January
I, 1eo3-some Pertinent Cues
tIons Asked by Vatican.

Rome, July 9.-The answer of the vati-
can to the note of Governor Taft, Cover
nor of the Philippines. regarding religious
affairs In the archipelago. which was
handed to Cardinal Rampolla, papal sec
rotary of state, July g. was delivered to
Judge raft at late hour tonight The
vatican's answer to Judge Taft follows:
The contract which the vatican pro-
poses shall be signed by both parties COM
prises twelve articles.
The first article says tho Philippine
government is to buy the lands of the
four religious orders concerned the Holy
See actirg as intermediary.
The second article describes which are
the agricultural lands to be bought.
The third article says that If some Of
these lands are possessed by corpora
tons tho friars will tell their share.
The fourth article establishes tri-
bunal of arbiters to be composed Of five
members, two of whom are to be chosen
by the vatican. two by the Philippine
government and the fifth member by the
other four. In case Of disagreement as
to the fifth member he will De chosen in
common accord by the Pope and Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Arbiters Begin January l.
The fifth article provides that the work
of the arbiters shall begin January l,
1908
The sixth article refers to title deeds;
these will be transferred to the Philippine
government.
Article seven sets forth that payment
is to be in Mexican dollars in the period
of time proposed by Judge Taft In his
note of July g. interest during the pc
Rod of payment accruing at four per
cent.
Article eight deals with the transfer
to the church of ancient crown lands with
ecclesiastical buildings on them.
The ninth article proposes amicable ac-
cord in the matter of existing charitable
or educational trusts which are in dis
pute. In the event of falling to agree in
these matters recourse is to be had to
the same arbitrators to whom will also
be submitted the case of the medical col
| lege of San Jose at Manila.
The tenth article provides for arbitra-
States shall pay for the ecclesiastical
buildings during the war in the Philip
pines.
According to the eleventh article the
expenses of the tribunal is to be paid by
the Philippine government.
Holy See Sphere of Action.
Article twelve declares that the Holy
See in the sphere of action which is In
it's competence, shall use all its influence
for the pacincation of the Philippine Is
lands and in favor of their adhesion to
the established government and it shall
prevent all political opposition on the
part of the clergy, both regular ano
| secular.
The answer of the Vatican is compiled
in the order of Judge Tafts note of july
8. First comes the note which says that
all the studies of the vatican were CEN
tered to render more clear, more precise
and definite the conditions between the
Holy See and the Philippine government
| In fact the note begs that If something
| further with this intention can be pro.
| posed that 1t be freely expressed, add
ing 1t would be considered with great
| pleasure.
The introduction proceeds In this tone
until it comes TO the question of the re-
call of the friars. II then says the vati.
can cannot accept the proposition to re-
call the friars within the liked period
Such recall not being justified by reasons
of Force Marjure, 1t would be contrary
to the rights guaranteed by the treaty
of Paris and would put the Holy See In
conflict with Spain. 1t asks:
Pertinent Questions.
IF the United States cannot order the
withdrawal of the friars, how can the
Pope do so, especially when 1t has been
proved that all the accusations made
| against them were partly false, partly
exaggerated and partly inexact"
However, the vatican promises that it
will try to gradually introduce into the
Philippines clergy of other nationalties,
especially Americans, as they are found
ready or adapted to the purpose.
The note agrees that the friars shall
| not return to the parishes they left and
where their presence could provoke
| trouble.
| The note ends by saying that the pope
| is willing that the school question In
| the Philippines be not insisted on, but
| that his holiness hopes his representa-
tive in. Manila may have an under
standing with Judge Taft on this point
| which is of capital Importance In a
| country almost exclusively Catholic.