The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-17
Philippine GOVERNORS LATEST
COMMUNICATION ON THE
FRIAR QUESTION
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
Judge Taft Will Forthwith Leave Rone
neutrality-suspicious. That the Nego-
tiations Be Resumed at the Philip
pine Capital-Emphatic Disclaimer
From the United States.

IlOMEI, July 1o.-TOday Maj. POr-
ter, of the judge advocates department
OF the army at Washington, personally
delivered to Cardinal Rampolla, papal
secretary of state, the last note Of
Judge Taft, governor of the Philip-
pines, on the subject of the withdrawal
of the friars from the islands. which
will probably end the governors nego-
uations here, as Maj. Porter simulta-
neousiy presented a letter from Judge
Taft asking for a farewell audience of
the pope. The following is, in part,
Judge Taft's note to the Vatican. 1t
is addressed to Cardinal Rampolla.
and begins thus:
In reply to the two notes of your
eminence of June 81 and July 9, I have
just received a communication from
the secretary of war in precise and ex-
haustive terms which are reproduced
lntegraliy. Secretary Root said he is
glad to see by the two notes received
from the Vatican that the holy see is
DESTROYS of coming to an understand
ing with Washington over differences
between church and state in the Phil
lppines; that your holiness has said
that the Vatican is disposed to give
full instructions to the friars to occupy
themselves with religion only, abstain
ing entirely from politics, and that
the molly see proposes to introduce little
by little ecclesiastics of other nation
alltles, especially Americans
Wise, But Not a Solution.
Secretary Root adds that he can
not DO less than acknowledge the wis
dom OF these propositions, but that he
must observe that they would not. solve
the questions. The United States has
no desire to violate the treaty of Paris
and seeks not a forcibIe, but a volun-
tary withdrawal of such persons who
happen to be Spaniards and whose pre-
Vlous experiences in the islands had
thrown them into antagonistic rela-
lions with the people and with the
catholic laity and native clergy, many
OF whom have left their parishes and
can only be reinstated by using mate
rial force, which the United States
cannot permit.
his proves that the government
OF the Philippines has no intention to
propose measures contrary to the in
terests of the Vatican, and, in fact its
interest In the church. If the question
OF withdrawal be left unsolved. not
Wlthstanding the Washington govern
ment has persuaded the ecclesiastical
authorities to see the necessity of a
carrying out of this step, later with
draWal of the friars under order of the
religious superior could not be regard
ed as anything but voluntary and
would not violate the treaty of Paris:
nor could such order be regarded as af-
1rming or admitting any accusations
against the friars, because the Ameri-
can government made no such accusa-
ton.
In the Peoples Interest.
THE United States did not desire
the withdrawal for itself-it was indif
1erent to the presence of the friars-
but in the interest of the whole people
or the Philippines who We're bitterly
opposed to their presence.
1T was thought by the generous
proposal OF contract which would
bind the Philippine government to GER
tain financial and other obligations to
secure the most longed-for desire of
the Fhllipplne people in the withdrawal
OF the frlarS Now that the Vatican
Goes not see its way clear to make a
, definite withdrawal, the American gov
eminent has deemed it wiser to recur
to the methods of settlement of the
various questions at issue, suggested
by Cardinal Rampolla's first communi
cation of June 81, namely:
First, an investigation bv both
sides into the possible and probable
liabilities and claims and the settle
ment of them by an accredited apos-
tollc delegate with the government of
Manila after the conditions with re-
spect to the friars' lands and amount
of claims for rental have been present.
ed by the representative of the church
rQnr6S6nfa of
government in Manila.
AS to the indemnity for the friars'
lands, your eminence has pointed out
the difficulty of computing so precipi-
lately the exact value, but this might
be done by examining the title deeds.
The Washington government will i'm
mediately order the general command
ing the forces in the Philippines to
furnish all information necessary to
ascertain what damage has been done
by the military occupation. Although
regretful that all the questions have
not been decided definitely, the govern
ment is glad to express satisfaction at
the results obtained"
Lists of Property.
Secretary Root in his communication
declares that Judge Taft's journey is
quite compensated for by the fact that
1t is possible to fix general lines on
winch later can be amicably resolved
all the questions now pending. Mean
while as a preliminary he wishes Car
dinal Rampolla to send to the Philip
pine government four lists of the prop
erty considered to belong to the re-
ligious order, comprising, first, that
transferred to corporations; second, the
ecclesiastical buildings occupied by the
troops, with indications of the dam
age and compensation therefore;
third, the property before considered
Spanish in the islands, which it is de-
sired the American government should
transfer to the church, though Wash
ington will grant such transfers only
on condition that a satisfactory agree
ment be reached on all other questions,
and fourth, the charitable and educa-
tional institutions, which the Vatican
desires to- be considered as belonging
to the church.
Secretary Root concludes by in
structing Judge Taft to apply to Car
dinal Rampolla his pleasure that the
visit of the American representatives
has arisen in a broad basis for har-
monious settlement; his thanks for the
courtesy shown by the Vatican to
Judge Taft and for the promptness
with which the Vatican has acted and
his hopes that though no specific agree
ment has been reached the Vatican will