The evening Republican., 1902-07-17
TAFT WILL NOT WAIT
An Ultimatum Presented to
the Vatican.
NEGOTIATIONS MAY Be BROKEN OFF.
July "a Set ns the Limit For a Deci-
sion at ROme-United States De.
nies Desire to Violate the
Treaty Of Paris.


ROME, July H.-Governor Taft will
leave here on July "A for Manila
whether or not the negotiations for the
purchase of the friar lands in the Phil
ipplnes are concluded by that time. He
has been instructed to explain to the
Vatican that should the basis of an
agreement not be reached by that time
he will be compelled to break off the
negotiations here and resume them at
Manila
An ultimatum setting forth the ne
cessity for definite assurance from
the church as to the withdrawal Of the
friars has been presented to the Vati-
can by Governor Taft.
The following is i'll part Judge Tafts
note. 1t is addressed to Cardinal Ram
polla, papal secretary Of state, and be-
gins thus:
''In reply to the two notes of your
eminence Of June 81 and July 8 | have
just received a communication from
the secretary of war in precise and eX-
haustive terms, which are here repro
duced integrally. Secretary Root says
he is glad to see by the two notes re-
ceived from the Vatican that the holy
see is animated by the best intentions
to come to an understanding with
Washington about the relations be-
tween church and state in the Philip
pines that his eminence has declared
the Vatican to be disposed to give clear
and precise instructions to the friars to
occupy themselves with religion only,
abstaining from politics, aid that the
holy see proposes to introduce little by
little ecclesiastics of other nationali-
ties, especially American. Secretary
Root adds that he cannot do less than
acknowledge. the wisdom of these prop
ostions, but that he must observe that
they would not solve the question.
"The United States has no desire to
violate the treaty of Paris and seeks
not forcible but voluntary with
drawal of certain persons who happen
to be Spaniards and whose previous
experiences in the islands had fortui-
tously thrown them into antagonistic
relations with the people and with the
Catholic iaity 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. This proves that the
government of the Philippines has no
intention to propose measures contrary
to the interests OF the Vatican and, in
fact. its interest in the church. If the
question of withdrawal be left un-
solved now that the Washington gov
eminent has persuaded the ecclesias-
tical authorities to see the necessity Of
carrying out this step. the later with
draWal of the friarS under order of the
religious superior could not be regard
ed rs anything but voluntary aud
would not violate the treaty Of Paris.
Nor could such order be regarded az
affirming or admitting any accusations
against the friars. because the Ameri-
can government made no such acc,lsa.
ton. The United States did not desire
the withdra wal for itself-it was in
different to the presence of the frars--
but in the interest of the whole people
of the Philippines, who We're bitterly
opposed to their presence.
1T was thought by the generous pro-
posal of a contract which would bind
the Philippine government to- certain
financial and other obligations to se-
cure the much longcd for desire of the
Philippine people in the withdrawal Of
the friars. Now that the Vatican does
not see its way clear to make definite
Withdrawal the American government
has deemed it wise to recur to the
methods Of settlement of the various
questions at issue suggested by Car
dnal Rampolla's first communication
of June II.
Secretary Root in his communication
declares that Judge Taft's journey is
quite compensated for by the fact that
it is possible to fix general lines on
which later can be amicaLly resolved
NIL the questions now pending. Mean
while, as Il preliminary, he wishes
Cardinal Rampolla TO send to the Phil
ippine government four lists of the
considered to belong to the
religious orders.
Secretary Root concludes by instruct /
ing Judge Taft to express to- Cardinal !
Rampolla his pleasure that the visit of
the American representative has re-
suited in Il broad basis for harmonious |
his thanks for the courtesy
shown by the Vatican to Judge Taft
md for the prOmptness with which the
Vatican has acted and his hopes that,
though no specific agreement has been
reached the Vatican will ultimately
find it just to do what has been sug-
gested.
Judge Taft concludes his note to the
Vatican thus: an obedience to Sccre-
larry Roots dispatch | request that the
future negotiations on the points raised
be held in Manila between an apostolic
delegate and the governor after the in
formation suggested above by Secre-
tary Root has been ascertained and
The Vatican is buzzing with com
nents Oh the last American note, the
Of which were somewhat un-
expected as it was thought that Wash
ington would make counter pronosi-
ions.
Americans mt Rome Indignant.
LONDON, July 1.-THE Daily Chron-
cles Rome correspondent, referring to
he closing Of Judge Taft'S nerotia-