The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-11
Pope Holds that He Cannot Remove
the Friars Except in Contraven-
ton of the Treaty of Paris.
ACTION WOULD OFFEND SPAIN
WAR DEPARTMENT HOLDS THE
POINT NOT WELL TAKEN.
Substance Of the Answer 10 the Phil
the InsuIsr Possessions.

WASHINGTON. July ia cablegram
has been received at the War Department
from Governor Taft transmitting the reply
of the Vatican TO the proposals of the
United States government. Secretary Root
did not get the message until late in the
forenoon, it had to be translated from
cipher, and he had not yet considered the
subject.
Secretary Root will take a copy of the
Vatican's reply to Oyster Bay and submit
it to the President before making any def
mite reply. The secretary will not discuss
the subject now, further than to
say that il is plain business
proposition which is under negotia-
ton. based entirely upon the instructions
which were given to Governor Taft before
his departure TO Rome In those instruc-
tions. regarding the friars, the secretary
said:
Efforts should be made to prevent the
restoration of the friars to the parishes
from which they are now separated. with
the consequent disturbance of law and
order"
This particular feature of the instruc-
tons is considered important, in view of
the differences reported from Rome, and
it is understood this will be kept fully in
mind and adhered to in any negotiation
that is completed with the Vatican 1t is
not believed that the contention of the
Vatican that it cannot order the friars
away because of the conflict with the Paris
treaty is well founded.
In substance the Vatican's answer to
Judge Taft's note is as follows:
The contract which the Vatican proposes
shall be signed by both parties comprises
twelve articles. The first article says the
Philippine government is to buy the lands
OF the four religious orders commemorative
Holy See acting as intermediary. The sec
ond article describes what are the agri-
cultural lands to be bought. The third ar
ticle says that II some of these lands are
purchased by corporations the friars will
sell their share.
The fourth article establishes a tribunal
of arbiterS. to be composed of five MEM
bers, two of whom to be chosen by the
Vatican, two by the Philippine government
and the fifth member by the other four.
In case of disa agreement to the fifth
member. he shall be chosen, in common ac-
cord. by the Pope and President Roosevelt.
The fifth article provides that the work
of the arbiters shall begin on Jan l, 1903.
The sixth article refers to title deeds:
these will be transferred TO the Philippine
government
Article sets forth that payment is to be
made in Mexican dollars in the period OF
time proposed by Judge Taft in his note of
July S, interest during the period of pay
ment accruing at per cent.
Article deals with the transfer to the
church of ancient crown lands with eccles-
iastic buildings on them.
The ninth article proposes amicable ac-
cord in the matter of existing charitable or
educational trusts which are in dispute
In the event of failing to agree in these
matters, recourse is 10 be had to the same
arbiters 10 whom will, also, be submitted
the case of the Medical College of San Jose.
at Manila.
The tenth article provides for arbitration
as to the indemnity the United States shall
pay for the ecclesiastical buildings used
during the war in the Philippines. Ac-
cordng to the eleventh article. the ex-
penses Of the tribunal of arbiters is to
be paid by the Philippine government
Article u declares that the Holy See, in
the sphere of action which is in its COM
petence, shall use all its influence for the
paciication of the Philippine islands and in
favor of their adhesion TO the established
government. and that it shall prevent all
political opposition on the part of the
clergy. both regular and secular
The answer of the Vatican is compiled in
the order of Judge Taft's note of July g.
First comes the note, which says that all
of the studies of the Vatican were CEN
tered to render more clear, more precise
and definite the conditions between the
Holy See and the Philippine government.
In fact, the note begs that, if something
further with this intent can be prepared
ii be freely expressed. adding il would be
considered with great pleasure. The in
PRODUCTION proceeds In this tone until il
comes 10 the question of the recall of the
friars. II then says the Vatican cannot
accept the proposition TO recall the friars
within the fixed period Such recall not
being justified by reasons of force majeune
IL would be contrary to the rights guaran-
teed by the treaty of Paris and would put
the Holy See in conflict with Spain. II
asks: IF the United States government
cannot order the withdrawal of the friars
how can the Pope do so. especially when II
has been proved that all the accusations
made against them were partly false, part
ly exaggerated and partly inexact?" How
ever, the Vatican promises that 1t will try
to introduce into the Philippines clergy of
other nationalties, especially Americans,
gradually, as they are found ready or
are ada pied to the purpose.
The note agrees that the friars shall not
return to the parishes they left and where
their presence could provoke trouble.
The note ends by saying that the Pope
is willing that the school question in the
Philippines be not insisted on now, but
that his Holiness hopes his representative
in Manila may have an understanding
with Judge Taft on this poirt. which is of
cat ital Importance in country almost ex-
1..g fx-o1x Nofh n1i IL