The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-04
TAFT PRESENTS TERMS FOR
PURCHASE OF FRIARS' LAND.
All Orders Must Leave the Islands Nee
essay Step Reassure the People Of the Philippines That
the Days of Friar Rule Are Ended-The Difficulty of
Their Presence Is Admitted by Both Sides.
CARDINAL RAMPoLA EXPRESSES HOPE OF EARLY SETTLEMENT

Rome july 5.-Judge William H. Taft.
civil Governor Of the Philippine Islands. to-
day received a long cable message from
Secretary Root. containing the department 5
final Instructions concerning the note relat-
ing to the disposition Of the friars' lands
in the islands. which was drawn I'D here
Tuesday.
This afternoon Major Porter delivered the
note personally to Cardinal Rampolla. the
Papal Secretary Of State. who conversed
cordially with him at some length. express
ing the hope that the negotiations would be
concluded In time 10 allow Judge Taft to
leave Rome July q
The Pope read the original note. which
was Immediately manifolded for the benefit
OF the committee Of Cardinals having
charge OF the matter.
Expresses Pleasure at Progress.
The note covers fourteen typewriter
pages. 1t begins with acknowledging the
Yatican's note Of June q. and says that
Judge Taft Is pleased that the Vatican ap-
proves OF the sending to Rome OF a repre-
sentative OF the President with the object
Of arriving at satisfactory agreement on
the questions In dispute and 10 see that the
general views Of the Vatican are IN hsr-
mony with the views of Secretary Root. al
though on one OF the important questions.
namely. that OF the religious orders there
appears to be a difference regarding the
methods to be adopted in order TO remove
the admitted difficulty.
Answering the VaiIcans note in propos-
ing to have the new apostolic delegate at
Manila settle the question Of the religious
orders. Judge Taft remarks:
Thus would be lost the advantage expect
ed from direct contract clearly determis-
ing the principal lines upon which cO-opera-
ton between the state and church may be
assured
The note proposoes:
ArbItrators 10 Fix Price OF Lands.
The purchase OF the land Of the Domini-
cans and Augustinians at a price 20 be de-
termined upon by i've arbitrators. two to
be chosen by the United States: two by the
Vatican and one by a neutral-say. the Brit
ish Governor Of India
The arbitrators to meet in Manila no later
than January /. 1876. examine witnesses and
visit the land.
The Judgment OF the majority to be &c
cepted.
The price to be paid in Mexican dollars,
one-third Immediately, a third in nine
months and third in eighteen months.
with interest at "A per cent
Payment to be made to q person chosen
by the Vatican.
The former Spanish crown lands now in
possession of the American Government.
on which there are ecclesiastical buildings.
to be handed over to an ecclesiastical Of
fetal appointed by the Vatican.
The ordinary courts to decide concerning
the land retained by the church. but claimed
by the municipalities.
II is hoped that when an Apostolic Dele
gate competent 10 represent the Holy See
is sent to the Philippines he will be able TO
decide which property used for charitable
or educational! institutions belongs TO the
church ard which to the state.
Cases OF disagreement shall be submitted
to the arbitration Of the same abitratOrs
who shall also decide the San Jose founda-
ton cases. now pending before the Supreme
Court Of ths Philippines.
No Money TIL Title l. Given.
The United States to pay an indemnity
for the buildings used by the American
troops. hHE nothing IS TO be paid until the
title deeds are In the hands OF the Philip
pine Government
All frisrs Of the four orders shall with
draw within two years from the first pay
n.ent. A small number are to continue dur
ing that time to look after the schools
and universities. bat all Of them must SO.
half during nine months from the first pay
Taent and half eighteen months later. not
including friars who have rot raised the
hostility Of the natives and who remained in
their parishes after the revolution Of ISIS
till now. except those in Manila. No span
ish friars shall be substituted for those
withdrawn
The churches. schools and universities
=ss be directed By Spanish clergy Of orders