The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-26
And VIII Confer with Secretary Root
Regarding Their Proposed Sale
TO the United states.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES
MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES CoNsID-
ERING THE GOVERNMENT BILL.
Friar Question Discussed ny Senators,
Who Think the Lands Can BE
Purchased for $7,09O.O0O.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON. March 25-Archbishop
Sbarretti. the apostolic delegate TO the
Philippines, arrived in Washington this
afternoon. and is the guest of Cardinal
Martinelli at the apostolic delegation here.
He will remain in Washington until after
the passage OF whatever law Congress may
enact concerning the property of the Phil
ippine friars. Monsignor Sbarretti viii call
on President Roosevelt Informally and will
hold several conferences with Secretary
Root. He is vested with plenary powers TO
define the attitude Of the Vatican in all
matters concerning the Philippines. His
authority includes not only the acceptance
OF the propositions of the United States.
but the readjustment Of the Philippine par
ishes and the rearrangement Of the pastors
TO supply the places made vacant by the
friars when they evacuate the islands. IL
is said he also has a complete schedule OF
the properties owned by the orders IN the
Philippines. This document was made Up.
by the heads of the great mOnastic orders
in Rome and covers all the property re-
ported to them. 1t is said its sum total
is greater than the tentative sum Of 81
100000. which is now accepted a working
basis by Congress. Monsignor Sbarrett re-
fuses TO discuss his mission in adSance of
his consultation with Secretary Root This
visit has been expected by the War Dc
partment for the past three pIonths, and IL
is likely il will obvi2s5-.he necessity of
sending a special commission TO Rome. as
has been proposed. This special commits
sion as contemplated consists of Governor
Taft, General Smith. of California. OF the
Philippine Supreme bench. and Bishop
O'Gorman. of Sioux Fails
Monsignor Sbarret.i can take no decisive
action until after Congress shall have
passed a law covering the subject, but IL
is thought his presence here will be of great
assistance to the deliberations now in prog
ress.
To-day's session OF the Senate committee
of the Philippines was devoted 10 the con-
sideration of that portion Of the Philippines
government bill which relates to the lands
held by the religious orders. The question
was not formally disposed OF. but members
of the committee generally express the
opinion that the provision will be allowed
to stand practically as it was after the
committee concluded its work to-day. The
only material amendments made to-day re-
lated to the payment for the lands. One OF
these provided that the bonds 10 be issued
10 secure the means for the purchase OF
the lands by the government from the
friars shall be made payable in gold or its
equivalent I'm Philippine currency. and an
other that they shall draw interest at the
rate of AZ per cent, instead OF per cent,
originally provided.
The committee also accepted a sugges-
ton made by Senator Rawlins that clause
be inserted requiring that just compensa-
ton be awarded under the provision allow
by the use of the right OF eminent domain.
The action on this amendment followed a
discussion of the wisdom and fairness OF the
provision. in which Senator Rawlins de-
clared that il was Objectionable on the
ground that il sanctions religious discrirni-
nation. The supporters OF the bill admitted
that the question was a delicate one, but
said that people OF all religious beliefs In
the Philippines are united in the opinion
that the friars are disturbing factor and
that their lands should be taken under gov
ernment control as the best means OF terfni-
mating the trouble. IL was stated In the
course of the meeting that the lands would
not cost to exceed 100000.
The Republican members OF the House
committee on insular affairs are rapidly
perfecting the bill providing a civil form
of government for the Philippines. In the
main the measure as far as perfected fol-
lows that introduced by Chairman Cooper
and favored by Judge Taft. but subcom-
mittee consisting Of Messrs. Cooper.
MOODY. ATumDdGkeT anu has
made a number of changes I'm matters OF
detail In its present form the bin pro-
vides for the institution Of civil govern
ment in the Philippines when the Governor
shall certify 10 the President that a state
OF permanent peace has been secured
Thereafter a census IL 10 be held and the
islands divided into districts. A legislative
assembly is created. consisting OF two
houses. The upper house is, 10 some extent.
a continuance Of the Philippine Commis-
sion. The lower house. or Philippine As
sembly. is 10 be elected by the people.
The coinage feature OF the bill has not
been finally decided on. but the discussion
during the last two days has indicated
strong preference for applying the gold
standard TO the Philippine coinage. allow
ing the native coins 10 be made out Of sill
yer, but in all cases having their value
measured by the gold standard. IL is in
tended. also. 20 have the new coins made
out OF silver bullion now in the United
States treasury. this being purchased by
the insular authorities. This gold-standard
plan is along the lines recommended by
the War Department. as the silver coinage
plan proposed before the Senate Philip
pines committee found no supporters I'm the
House committee.