New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-07
GOV. TAFT'S INSTRUCTIONS.
HIS AUTHORITY IN NEGOTIATIONS " Il IL
THE VATICAN DEFINED By
SECRETARY ROOT.
TBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE, J

u-ocbins+on J1ne 6-The full extent of Governor
Taft's authority in the negotiations he mas oesuii
with the Vatican is shown in secretary i|oot
instructions to him, which were sent to Congress
to-day and which were summarized In Inc tribune
on Nav IL two days after they were written Inc
chief aim of the conference is to provide LOT INC
ACQUISITION by the Philippine lnsular 1oNein'
ment of four hundred thousand acres OF iahu "
which the friars hold title but which they cannot
peaceably occupy account of the hosuhty OIL
the natives These lands, which are the best LOT
AGRICULTURAL purposes in all the Islands, are worm
about s. 100000. according TO the estimates OF lhe
Philippine Commission All other questions pe-
tween the church and state in the archipelago are
regarded as wholly subordinate TO THIS ana caPaoie
of ready settlement along the lines which have al
ready been shown to be mutually advantageous IN
Cuba and Porto Rico These instructions were ex-
hibited by Governor Taft to the vatican oliclais
Yesterday and served the purpose of CREDENTIALS
The text is as follows; W., q 1000
Sir: 1t is apparent that CONGRESS VIII NOT NOT
have acted upon the Philippine Commission rec
ommendation regarding the purchase OF arla for
Manila which cannot be longer delayed. You can
not therefore. we had hoped. now receive den-
in the execution of specific authority from Con-
gress, as should properly be taken before you re-
have. however. reported favoraby upon the com
missions ana bair psStion In
view, therefore of the critical situation or this
possibilitv Of disposing of the matter there by
negotiations with the frars themselves. the Presi
for effective action afforded by your presence in
the West. He wishes you TO take the subject up
tentatively with the ecclesiastical superfors who
must ultimately determine the friars course OF
negotiation along lines which will be satisfactory
to them and to the Philippine Government &C
Of the facts and of the views and purposes of the
parties to the negotiations SO that when CONGRESS
conclusion without delay.
You accordingly AUTHORIZED in the course OF
fO Manila
there ascertain what Church authorities have the
Of the LANDS Of the religious orders in the Philip
pine Islands: and If you find as we are informed.
such such power land and authority You will endeavor to
attain the results above indicated. Any negotia-
tons which you may enter upon are always sub
ject to granting of power by Congress to follow
ences and negotiations you will bear in mind the
following proposti9ns which are deemed to to be
~ stated to the other side in the negotiations:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
First-one of the controlling principles Of our
and state, with the entire freedom of each from
principle is imperative wherever American juris-
suSc Of or
Second-It is necessary now to deal with the re-
this principle in the Philippine Islands which have
for centuries been gGvernea under an entirely df
and having functions of the one exercised by
and Sefed Virtually as the nas of M
state in the field of public institutions and public
properties held by it or by its subordinate cor
porat tons or officers for these public uses novel
situation has been created. under which the ad-
lustment of means TO ends appropriate TO the
tended result under the new system and the sepa-
ration of church and state requires to be followed
terests both Of church and of state; and for the
of education, of charity and of religion
Thirdly reason of the separation the religious
state the duties in relation to public INSTRUCTION
and public charities les, formerly resting upon them,
through their relations to the civil government d
objects of such hostility the part their ten
antry against them as landlords, and on the part
Gesentatives of the former Government that they
for the Church Nc cam a b eSeeteP uf fpo
the populous communities occupying their lands
ment with armed force. Speaking generally. for
several years past the friars formerly installed
their posts and are collected in Manila with the
ary aeeped agan by the peop not an De
be restored to their positions except by forcibie
Intervention on the part of the civil government
which the PRINCIPLES of our government forbid.
It IS manifest tfet under these conditions it is
state that the landed preprietorship of the he I re
If as Of
the people Of the Islands and to- condnet IN is
own behalf system of instruction with which we
agents therefor
TO PURCHASE FRIARs' LANDS
Fourth-It is the wish of our government in case
Congress shall grant authority. that the titles OF
the religious orders to the large tracts of agrf-
cultural lands which they hold shall he ex-
tinguished but that fuI and fair compensation
shall be made therefor
Fifth-It is not, however deemed to be for the
interests of the people of the Philippine Islands
that in thus transferring wholly unproductive
tracts OF land into money capable of productive
investment fund should thereby be created to be
used for the attempted restoration of the friars
the parishes from which they separated with
the consequent disturbance of law and order
siNth-Ihe titles 10 the great amount of church
lands and buildings in the islands other than those
of the religious orders. and apparently owned
by the State, should be settled fairly.
STANDARDIZATION should be made for ascertain
ing what rentals, If any, ought Il paid for
converts and other church buildings. which have
been occupied by United States troops during the
insurrecton this being of course subject TO further
specific action by Congress.
Eighth-The rights and obligations remaining
under the various specific trusts for education and
charity. which are now IN doubt and controversy,
ought to be settled by agreement If possible. rather
than by the slow and frequently disastrous proc
esses of litigation. that the benefcent purposes
of these foundations may not fall.
/ Ninth-four errand will net be in any sense or
degree diplomatic in it's nature but will be purely
l ~ Dtt1 ting ,oF