The Washington times., 1902-07-18
OTSINSTRUCTIONS
TO GOVERNOR TAFT

lne conveyance OF CnuTCn lahuS pIpNIHSu
for in your proposal.
IF this object is not to be assured.
then the arrangement sought should be
quite different in form. and should more
closely follow the suggestions OF Cardi-
nal Rampolla in his memorandum o!
June %, wherein he says that an esti-
mate of the value of the lands con-
formable with the principles of justice
and equity is a complicated question, re
quiring special study Of the facts OF the
case, and cannot be solved with precipi-
tation. and declares the disposition OF
the Holy See to furnish the new apostolic
delegate who Is to be sent to the Phhip-
pines with necessary and oppGrtune ~
structions, in order to treat amlcably
this affair in understanding with the
American Government and the parties
interested. and so to arrive at fixing n
satisfactory accord, whether on the
value Of the lands or the conditions OF
the sale; and wherein ne further says
tat the apostolic delegate will be in
structed upon all the matters touched
upon in the memorandum TO come 10 an
understanding with the American au-
thorities and secure just settlement.
Following the course thus proposed
by his eminence and having secured a
full and definite enumeration Of the va
rious parcels Of property in which the
religious orders are Interested and
which they are willing TO sell, it will
be the duty of the Philippine govern
ment to determine for Itself what price
it is willing to pay. That price Will. of
course be largely affected By the prac-
ticai benefits to be derived from the
purchase in view of all the facts then
existing.
Where Titles Vest.
This course also makes it possible
to take into due consideration the fact
which now appears. that contrary 10 our
former supposition the real and sub
stantial title to the lands in great
measure has passed out of the religious
orders and is vested in corporations
which they cannot entirely control. and
which hold the lands for the purposes
of lawful gain and are alone competent
to sell them. II may we'll be thst the
prices which you viii feel justified in
offering for the lands will be acceptable.
Friendly Agreement Wanted.
THE whole matter may thus be dis
posed of by friendly agreement in con-
formity to the ordinary methods pur-
sued. in business affairs. l believe that
the good understanding which has been
reached between you and the ecclesias-
tscal authorities in Rome cannot fail to
do away with the probability of friction
or difficulty.
In the same manner | will direct the
general commanding in the Philippines
to ascertain, by the customary methods.
7 t.atn ho OH rch
| have been occupied by American troops,
and for what periods; what damage has
been done. and in each case what
reasons, IL any exist for denying an OBJ
! legation to pay rentals and damages :;
and l shall hope that the conclusion
thus reached will be satisfactory to the
church
"A similar treatment of all these sub
jects mentioned in your proposition may
with equal readiness be followed.
Causes for Regrets.
While 1t is to be regretted that tho
authorities having control of the reli-
gious orders do not see their way to
make a definite agreement for the with
drawal from Manila OF the friars form
erly in the parishes, yet it is hoped that
pending the settlement of these various
matters they will reach the conclusion
that 1t is wise to do the same thing of
their own notion and irrespective Of any
agreement to that effect.
However that may be. you should as
sure the authorities of the church that
we shall at all time do all in our power
to continue' the good understanding
already reached and to agree upon such
action as shall be for the benefit Of all; (;
and further assure them of our high ap-
probation of the courtesy and cOnsdera-
tion with which the expression of your
views and wishes has been received.
Definite Lists Asked For.
LAS preliminary to the treatment
now proposed it is. desirable that the
authorities of the church should arrange
to forward TO you as soon as practicable
full and definite lists.
''(al OF the property which they are
willing 10 sell. and of the precise re-
lations which they hold TO the title OF
those properties If their relation TO
the title is by ownership OF the stock,
then the total stock Of corporation.
amount OF stock which they hold, and
the officers OF the corporatin.
"tb) OF the churches. converts. etc,
which they claim to have been occupied
By American troops. and for which rem
tails or damages are claimed, and with
the details OF the claim.
"(c) OF the church properties, formal
title TO which remained in the Spanish
crown al the time OF cession and formal
conveyance OF which from the govern
ment is desired.
1t should be observed as 10 these
that no authority has been granted by
Congress to make such conveyance un-
less it be as Il part OF a general set
tlement, including purchase Of the lands.
I'D 4 statement of the various char
liable and educational trusts which the
authorities OF the church consider should
be regarded as devolyed upon the church
rather than upon the state. ROOT.
Secretary OF War
Governor Taft to Leave Rome.
Unless the Vatican shows an earnest
desire to renew the negotiations with
= view TO an immediate agreement to
the propositions made Ly Governor
Taft looking to the. withdrawal Of the
friars it is certain that there will be
no further exchase Of notes at Rome
and Governor TAFT viii leave Naples for
Manila July "a, as heretofore an
nounced.
In some respects the result of the
negotiations at Rome may be said to be
a victory for church diplomacy.