Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-11
ANSWER or TIE vatican.


The instructions TO Governor Tart
when he was authorized TO visit Rome
to ascertain what the church outhori-
ties would do towards a peaceful ar
rangement OF the Philippine frlar
questlosn, were very explicit on the
matter Of any partnership be-
tween the state ami the
church The secretary Of war told
him, in the letter transmitted to him,
that zone OF the controlling principles
OF our government is the complete sep
aratIon of church and state" and that
'this principle is imperative wherever
American jurisdiction extends, and no
modification or shading thereof can
be subject of discussion
II this is adhered 20, the answer OF
the Vatican to Gov. Tafts last note,
which has been called IAN ultimatum,'
viii have to be modified before II can
be considered any further. In this
answer the pope proposes to act as "in-
termediary" In the real estate transac-
ton that is contemplated he proposes
20 act jointly with the American presi-
dent In the work OF establishing an
arbitration tribunal, and he, finally
pledges himself to use all his influence
FOR the paciAcation Of the Philippine
islands and in favor OF their adhesion
to the established government, and that
he shall prevent all political opposition
on the part Of the clergy both regular
and secular" II these propositions are
not notifications or shadings' Of the
principle OF complete separation be-
tween state and church they come so
dangerously near such 'sbadlngs," that
safety demands that they be rejected
at once. The last proposition is especi-
ally suspicious, As the ecclesiastical
head Of the Catholics In the Philippines,
II Is the duty Of the pope, as II is the
duty Of his subordinates, 10 use his
influence for loyalty toward the gov
eminent, and the establishment Of
peace and order. No signed contract
between Washington and Rome is
needed on that point. Nor did Gov.
TAFT go to the eternal city to seek the
aid Of the pope In the matter Of "paci-
fcation" Of the Islands, That matter
need not be discussed In Rome. In
their own interest the Catholic priests
in the islands would do well to remem-
Der that the American people are
thoroughly opposed TO q mixture Of
politics and ecclesiastlclsm,
Such was the condition under Spanish
regime, Then priests were employed
to administer trusts, to teach school,
and to discharge a number OF civil
functions, The state was pledged 10
pay part Of the salaries Of the priests,
and to assist IN the construction Of the |
very churches and converts for the
use OF which during the war the 'atl-
can demands an indemnity of the
United States government. Now, when |
II becomes necessary, under the Amerl- |
can flag. to bring some order into the
confusion and separate the interests, |
there are, as q matter Of course. many |
new questions 10 pass upon. 1t IL
necessary to find out what property |
was, and what was not, transferred by |
Spain to the United States by the
treaty Of Paris. II was consequently |
thought pest 70 confer with Rome on
the matter OF an amicable business
settlement, that would once and for all
dispose Of the difficulties. But as fot |
any contract that would make It appear
that Washington recognizes the secular
power OF the Vatican, II cannot be
thought OF. Time VIII show, whether
the special commission to Rome was In
spired by wisdom. But that much can
be said already now, that an attempt to
establish diplomatic relations with an
ecclesiastical court would be resented
by the Protestant population OF the
country and many not church mem
bers. And II Is best to keep this fact
IN view during the further progress OF
the negotiations,