Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-06
RECEIVED BY POPE.
Gov. Taft Talks Over Philippine
Situation With POntif.
Asks for Action Regarding the Church
Lands in Philippines.
His Holiness Assures Him Matter Will
Be Carefully Considered.

Rome June 5.-The Pope, today, re-
ceived Judge Taft, governor OF the
Philippines, Bishop Thomas OGornan
Of Sioux Falls, and Judge Smith ana
Major Porter of the judge-advocate
generals department at Washington,
comprising the commission to the Vati-
can to treat on the church'S lands IN
the Philippines.
The men We're met ut the entrance OF
the Vatican by Monsignor Risleti, the
PapaI chamberlain, and We're conduct
ed to the POpes private library. Judge
Taft there presented to His Holiness a
letter from President Roosevelt, IN
which the President said that although
not belonging to the Catholic church
he could not help expressing his senti-
ments of profound veneration and es-
teen Of the Popes wisdom in the adj
ADMINISTRATION of the church. Then, re-
ferring to the Philippines. the Presi-
| dent asked for the Pope's influence in
| the great question concerning religious
] orders in the islands.
| Judge Taft presented the Pontiff
with a box containing President
! Roosevelt's literary works and the
Pope expressed his thanks for Mr.
]
| ised to study the difficult question, and
said he hoped for good results The
Pontin also asked Judge Taft to thank
| President Roosevelt for his gift
Bishop O'Gorman acted as Interpreter
and Major Porter read the President $
letter. The audience lasted 40 minutes
Judge Taft subsequently met Cardi-
nal Rampolla, the Papal secretary OF
tI.a Il iS,r &C. ono n
i Philippine matters.
| While talking with the Pope, Gov. Tat
I reviewed. in a summary way. the ques
tons in the Philippines which requii,
| settlement. He pointed out that the re-
| adjustment Of the relations of church ans
state in the islands was not an indi-
cation of hostility of the United State
to the Catholic church, but declared thai
such readjustment was merely neCcs
sity under the American constitution.
Gov Taft referred to the prosperity an
the freedom of the Roman CathGll,
church in the United States and cited the
conditions as assurance that the Natica'
had nothing to fear from the extension
Of the authority Of the United States owe
the Philippine islands.
Replying to Judge Taft, the Pope eX
pressed the greatest pride in the Roman
Catholic church IN the United States alt
intense interest in the great republic. IL
said he earnestly desired to help Tho
American administration of the Philip
pines in every possible way and he as
sured Gov. Tart that the Vatican woui,
approach all questions raised in tbs
broadcast ana most conciliatory spirit.
The Pope said also that matters of dc
tail in connection with the questions &
be decided, would be referred to a com
mittee of cardinals, where they would b'
considered at length and that all the is
sues would be treated with the sole ain
Of reaching a settlement satisfactory t,
all parties concerned.
The Pope appeared to be in eNceilen
health in his Interview with Gov Taft
and was of vivacious humor. He re
ferred pleasantly to Archbishop Irelan,
in what he had to say concerning the RO
man Catholic church in the United States