The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-07
What He Was Instructed to Do in
Seeking Acquisition of Church
Property in the Philippines.
FELIPE BUENCAMINos DESIRE
VIEWS OF THE FILIPINO STATESMAN
ON HIS PEOPLES NEEDS.
How He Would Correct MiscOnceptiOn
of the Situation in the Islands
Exposition Proposed.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-Secretary Root
to-day sent to the Philippines committees
of the Senate and House textual copies of
the instructions given by him to Governor
Taft for his guidance in dealing with the
Vatican respecting the acquisition by the
United States of the friars' lands in the
Philippines. These instructions, under date
of May 8, were exhibited yesterday by Gov
ernor Taft to the Vatican officials, and, as
will be perceived from their context, served
the purpose of credentials. The text fol-
lows:
''Sir-It is now apparent that Congress
will not have acted upon the Philippine
Commissions recommendations regarding
the purchase or friars lands before the
time of your departure for Manila, which
cannot be longer delayed You cannot,
therefore, we had hoped, now receive
definite instructions and proceed to take
such steps in the execution of specific au-
thority from Congress as should properly
be taken before you return TO Manila. The
committees of both houses have, however,
reported favorably upon the commission s
recommendations, and ii appears probable
that Congress Will confirm their action.
In view, therefore, of the critical situation
or this subject IN the Philippines and of
the apparent impossbility of disposing of
the matter there by negotiations with the
friars themselves, the President does not
effective action afforded by your presence
in the west He wishes you to take the
subject UP tentatively with the ecclesiast-
ical superiors who must ultimately de-
termine the friars' course of conduct and
endeavOr TO reach at last d basis of nego-
tiation along lines which will be salts
factory to them and to the Philippine gov
ernment, accompanied by a full under
standing on both sides of the facts and of
the views and purposes of the parties TO
the negotiations; so that when Congress
shall have acted the business may pro-
ceed to a conclusion without delay.
You are accordingly authorized, in the
course of your return journey TO Manila,
to visit Rome and there ascertain what
church authorities have the power to nego-
tiate for and determine on L sale of the
lands of the religious orders in the Phil
ippine islands, and If you find, are
informed, that the officers of the church
at Rome have such power and authority
you will endeavor 10 attain the results
above indicated. Any negotiations which
you may enter upon are always subject to
granting of power by Congress TO follow
the negotiations by binding actiT1.
PROPOSITIONS
I'm any conference and negotiations you
will bear in mind the following PROPOSE
tions, which are deemed to be fundamental
and which should be fully and frankly
stated 70 the other side in the negotiations:
''Fist-One of the controlling principles of
our government is the complete separation
of church and state. with the entire free
dom of each from any control or interfer-
ence by the other. This principle is impera-
tive wherever American jurisdiction ex-
tends and no modification or shading
thereof can be subject OF discussion.
"Second-It Is necessary 10 deal now with
the results OF establishing a government
controlled by this principle in the Philip
pine islands. which have for centuries been
governed under entirely different sys-
tenn with church and state closely united
and having functions OF the one exercised
by agents of the other; where the church
has long controlled and acted virtually as
the agent OF the state in the field OF public
instruction and public charities. anG has
from time 10 time acquired large properties
held by IL or by its subordinate corpora
tions officers for these public uses. y
novel situation has been created under
which the adjustment of means TO ends
appropriate 10 the former system entirely
fails TO produce the intended result under
the new system. and the separation OF
church and state requires TO be followed
by readjustment and Encouragement in