The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-17
FRIARg Case GOES TO MANILA
Accredited Representative Of
Vatican Will There Treat
With Taft.
PRIESTS TO GO, HOWEVER.
United States, While Willing to Con-
cede Technical Points, Insists on
Their Leaving the Archipelago-Con-
tested Lands 20 Be Held as Forfeit.

LeSLeQ LANDS 20 De -1GlG d 7 gAlC4t-
Notwithstanding the failure Of Gov
ernor Taft to secure an agreement with
the Vatican - respect TO the pUr-
chase Of the church lands IN the Philip
pine Islands and the withdrawal Of the
friars, the officials here claim that sub
stantiaI progress has been made toward
a settlement in the near future.
Unless the Vatican shows an earnest
desire to renew the negotiations with
a view TO an immediate agreement TO
the propositions made by Governor
Taft looking to the withdrawal Of the
friars IL is certain that there viii be
10 further exchange Of notes at Rome
and Governor Taft Will leave Naples for
Manila July y, as heretofore an
nounced.
Whether the negotiations viii be con-
tinued at l1anila viii largely depend
upon the attitude OF the church toward
the question Of Withdrawing the friars-
There VIII be, Of course, negotiations
Iookin- TO a settlement by the United
States af the ,Iaims Of the friars for
damages caused by the troops to church
property, but the officials here are de-
termined that it viii give no assist
ance TO the friars il their efforts 70
recover such PROPERTY as may now be
occupied by Flipinos until some assur-
anee is given that the friars viii quit
the islands
A Victory for the Vatican.
In some respects the result Of the
negotiations at Roma may be said 10 be
a victory for church diplomacy.
From the very beginning the Vatican
has sought 10 have the negotiations con
Quoted at Manila instead Of at Rome.
1t was the wish OF Governor Taft, how
ever, to deal directly with the Vatican
and not through any delegate who may
be compelled to submit 10 Rome what
ever propositions were made, thus de-
laying final settlement.
Then again il was thought that the
negotiations could be conducted more
satisfactorily TO both parties at Rome
instead Of at Manila, where the friars
themselves would seek 20 influence the
situation.
As early as June q, Cardinal Ram
polle proposed an Investigation by both
claims and the settlement OF them by an
accredited apostolic delegate to Ma
Mia
The refusal OF the Vatican 10 agree
10 the propositions C Governor Taft is
considered here as part OF q plan 10 have
the negotiations transferred 10 Manila.
Church Held Out for Recognition.
It is declared that there is no com
eealiag the intent Of the church TO have
this done, partly for the purpose Of be-
ing able 10 secure an implied recogni-f
ton Of the church by the American Gov
eminent through its recognition Of an
accredited delegate TO the Philippine
government at Manila
The officials say, however, that the
church viii obtain little recognition from
the officials in Manila, though an ac-
credited delegate my be sent as Il is
determined 10 treat the whole subject
from q business viewpoint, and further
negotiations viii be confined strictly to
business propositiOHs-
While the Vatican has apparently Sc
cured a victory BY the consent Of the
United States TO a transfer Of the nego-
tiaJions 70 Manila, the determination Of
the American Government that the
Spanish fTiars shall not be again placed
IN position TO enbarrass the existing
government and menace the peace Of
the Inhabitants viii be firmly adhered
TO.
Damage to Church Property.
Steps are to be taken at once to de-
termine the amount Of damage which the
troops have inflicted upon church prop
erty, with view 10 an ultimate set
Element for its use The soldiers have
occupied much church property in the
Islands, churches have been turned into
barracks and converts have been used
FOR military purposes. but while IN
ooubtedly the friars have just cause TO
ask compensation for The use Of some
Of this property. it is contended that a
close examination Of the title deeds viii
show that large part Of the property
old not actually belong 70 the friars, but
TO the Spanish government
In this connection il Is asserted that
as condition precedent TO the transfer
OF certain property rights 20 the church
now held by the Philippine government
10 be Spanish Crown lands. the Vatican
must yield 10 the United States IN re
gard 10 the withdrawal Of the friars.
In his instructions to Governor Taft.
and II the final note TO Cardinal Ram
polla, Secretary Root ays down that
principle He makes il lear that the
negotiations VIII not be continued At
Manila until certain information is SUP
piled by the church as TO the extent Of
the church property
Property Of Religious Orders.
he asks that Cardinal RampoHa send
20 the Philippine government four lists
Of the property considered to belong TO
the religious orders represented by the
friarz, as follows: That transferred 70
corporations; the ecclesiastical build
ings occupied by the troops, with indi-
cations OF the damage and compensation
for IL; the property before considered
Spanish lands which il is desired the
American Government should transfer
70 the church and the charitable and
educational institutions which IL desires
10 be considered as belonging 70 the
church