Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-11
The FR|ARS MUST GO
Reply of the Vatican to Taft's
Proposals Not Satisfactory
to Government.
Negotiations May Be Ended Alb
ruptly and the Priests Sum.
marily Expelled.
United States. by Treaty. Does
Not Guarantee Safety Of the
Philippine Friars.

washington, July 1.-THE reply of
eminent that the friars be Withdrawn
from the Philippines is not satisfactory.
In that reply it is declared that the
pope is unable to do this because of
the ninth article of the treaty of Paris
by which Spanish subjects residing in
the Philippines are permitted to remain
"carry in their industry, commerce, or
professions
This is regarded as not entirely
frank answer, and if the vatican per-
ssts in it's refusal to agree to the with
drawal of the friars the negotiations
will be broken off. This government
will not agree to gradual substitution
of other clergy in the place of the fri
airs. The question is delicate one, but
It's main point is the welcome of the fri
ars themselves.
Governor Taft in his testimony before
the Philippines committee of the SEN
ate and the insular committee of the
house made it clear that the friars have
been repudiated by their own religious
followers and that it is dangerous for
them to attempt to return to their par
ishes.
They were the policemen of Spain"
said Governor Taft. "They exercised
absolute power in very municipality
within their respective parishes and
they were made responsible by the peo-
pie for every act of OPPRESSION. individ-
gal or general, which might be charged
10 the Spanish government"
Governor Taft explained that the OPP
position to the friars was not opposition
TO the Catholic church or its religion,
for the people were all Catholics and
devoted to the church. Their opposition
to the friars was due to the political
power exercised by the friars.
The simple question is what shall be
done with the friars. They represent
the Catholic church and are subject to
the orders of the vatican. The treaty
of Paris guarantees the right to Span
ish subjects to remain and practice
their business or professions" 1t does
not, however, promise the assistance of
this government to those who wish to
practice their professions of religious
teachers against the will of the people.
II the friars attempt to go back to their
parishes they will be murdered. That
is the belief of Governor Taft. Their
usefulness to the church is ended in
the Philippines. They are now only an
embarrassment to the church. The gov
eminent is ready to purchase the prop
erty belonging to the religious orders
so that the friars may be withdrawn
without loss to the church. The law
passed by congress authorizes the Phil
ippine commission to secure thes lands
by purchase or by the exercise of the
right of eminent domain.
If the vatican persist in its refusal to
withdraw the friars, the negotiations
will end. AS 1t is, they are largely of
an advisory nature. The Philippine
commission has the power to secure the
friars' lands, whether they wish to sell
or not, and it can dispose of the friars
by continuing to refuse them military
protection If they try to return to their
old parishes. 1t will then be left for the
pope to find way to dispose of the
friars, either by withdrawal or by sup
porting them in the Philippines This
government will not do anything to en-
barrass the Catholic church in the
Philippines, but it will not use the army
to compel the Filipino Catholics to ac-
cpet priests whom they hate and would
Murder