Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-04
THE FRIARS' LAND.
Gov. Taft Delivers Our Note to
Cardinal RampoI|a.
Conveys Proposition for Purchase Of
Friars' Land in Philippines.
Personally Read by Pope and Sent to
Cardinals Committee.

/ Rome, July 3.-Judge Taft, civil gov.
/ crnor Of the Philippines Thursday. re-
| ceiVed q long cable message from Sec
Root containing thesFwar departments
final instructions concerning the note
| relating to the disposition of the friars
lands in the islands, which was drawn
up here, Tuesday and Thursday after
noon. Maj. Porter of the office of the
| judge advocate general of the army
| delivered the note to Cardinal Ram
polla, the papal secretary of state.
| Major Porter delivered the note per-
3onally to Cardinal Rampolla, who
converscd cordially with him at some
| length, expressing the hope that the
negotiations would be concluded in
time to allow Judge Taft to leave
| Rome, July %. The Pope read the
| original rote, which was Immediately
manifolded for the benefit of the COM
| mittee Of cardinals having charge of
| the matter. The mote occupies II
typewriter pages.
1t begins with acknowledging the
Vatican's note Of June Il and says
he (Judge Taft is pleased that the
Vatican approves of the sending to
Rome of Il representative of the
President with the object of arriving
ut Il satisfactory agreement on the
questions in dispute and to see that
the general views of the Vatican are
in harmony with the views Of Sec.
Root, although on one of the import
ant questions, namely that of The re-
ligious orders, there appears to be a
difference regarding the methods to
be adopted in order to remove the ad-
mitted difficulty.
Answering the Vatican's note pro-
posing TO have the new apostolic dele
gates at Manila settle the question Of
the religious orders, Judge Taft re-
marks:
Thus would be lost the advantages
expected from a direct contract clear
ly determining the principal lines up
on which cooperation between the
state and church may be assured
The note proposes, first, the purchase
of the land of the Dominicans and Au-
gustinians at a price to be determined
upon by five arbitrator, two to be
chosen by the United States, two by the
Vatican, and one by a neutral, say the
British governor of India, the arbitra-
tors to meet in Manila not later than
Jan. /, 1902 examine witnesses and
visit the land; the judgment of the ma
Crity 10 be accepted: the price to be
paid in Mexican dollars, one-third i'm
mcdiatcly a third in nine months and
third in Is months with interest at Az
Der cent: payment to be made to a
person chosen by the Vatican; the for
mer Spanish crown lands now in pos
session of the American government on
1-ti fsn1 n
ings. to be handed over to an eccleslas-
teal official, appointed by the Natlcah'
tht, ordinary courts to decide concern
ing the land retained by the church,
but claimed by the municipalities
1t is hoped that when an apolostlcal
delegate competent to represent the
Holy See is sent to the Philippines ne
will be able to decide which property
used for charitable or educational Instl-
tutions belongs to the church ana
which to the state.
Cases of disagreement shall be sub
mitted to the arbitration of the same
arbitrators. who shall also decide the
San lose foundation case. now pending
before the supreme court of the Phlllp.
pines.
The United States to pay an indem-
nitv for the buildings for the buildings
reed nv American troops, but nothing
| u To Ne maid until the title deeds are
| in thn hands of the Philippine govern
ment. :,
All friars of the four orders shall
| Withdraw within two years from the
first payment. A small number are 10
continue during that time to look alteI
thc schools and universities but all or
them must 90. half during nine months
from the first payment and hall ID
months later, not including friars VINO
have rot raised the hostility of the ma
| riyes and who remained in their par
| iehae after the revolution of 1898 TIL
nos except those in Manila. NO Span
| ~ friars NAV be substituted for those
withdrawn.
| Tho churches. schools and universities
nav he directed BY Spanish clergy or or
ders other than those withdrawn, or by
| clergy of the same orders who are not
Snanish. 1t is necessary to convince the
Filipinos that the ancient regime OF. the
Spanish friars is finished.
| The note reminds the Vatican that the
| orders stiH publish paper in Manila
which is anti-American and anti-Philip-
| ninn Int Dro-Spanisn. and that the orders
| possess property in Manila to the vaiue
~ nearly 5000 coo Mexican dollars. While
that of the Catholic church is only valued
| at 100000 Mexican dollars. This is very
significant as the orders have also large
capital at interest. besides the land which
lit is now proposed the government should
lnurchase. To reach the desired object the
| hest thing is to prevent any member
| without distinction OF nationality of tha
| four withdra wing orders from beng sent
to the islands Nothing will so calm the
people and produce harmony between the
church and government as the certainty
given by contract that the friars shal
Ileave at a fixed date not return and not
exercise any influence from Manila over
the priests in the parishes. In view o.
these facts it is hoped that the Faticar
will accept the propositions
The note ends with calling the attention
of the Vatican to The clause regarding
religious teaching III the public school
saying that Judge Taft's instructions pre-
. vent further discussion of the matter an
Continued on page 81