Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-06-08
INSTRUCTIONS TO TAFT.
Lines upon which lie Can settle with
the CO hsIie Church.

Washington. June 7.-secetary Root
has sent . the Philippine commit
tee OF the senate and the hoase the
actual copies OF the instructions Civ
en- by him 10 Governor Taft for his
guidance in dealing with the Vatican
respecting the acquisition by the Unit
ed States OF the frlars land in the
Philippines These instructions were
exhibited Thursday by Governor Taft
20 the Vatican officials and served the
purpose Of credentials. Mr.. Root says
In part:
ut Is now apparent that congress
will not have Rcted upon the Philip
pine committees recommendations re-
gardlng the purchase OF friars lands
before the time Of your departure for
Manila. which cannot be longer delay
ed You cannot. therefore. as we had so
hoped. now receive definite instruc-
tions and proceed to take such steps
In the execution OF specific authority |
from congress. as should properly be
taken before your return 10 Manila.
The committees OF both houses have.
however. reported favorably upon the
commissions recommendations and II
appears probable that congress will
confirm their action. In view. there
fore. OF the critical situation OF this
subject in the Philippines and OF the
apparent impossibIllty OF disposing OF
the matter there by negotiations with
the friars themselves. the president
does not feel at liberty to lose the op-
portunity for effective action afforded
by your presence In the west He
wishes you 10 take the subject up
tentatively with the ecclesiastical SUI
/ periors who must ultimately deter
mine the friars' course Of conduct and
endeavor 20 reach at least a basis OF
negotiation along the lines which will
be satisfactory TO them and the Philip
pine government accompanied by
complete understanding on both sides
OF the facts and OF the views and pGr-
poses OF the parties 20 the negotia-
ton: so that when congress shall have
acted the business may proceed to a
conclusion without delay. You are ac-
cordingly authorized In the course OF
your return journey 10 Manila to visit
Rome. and there ascertain what church
authorities have the power TO nego-
tiate for and determine upon a sale OF
the lands OF the religious orders In
the Philippine islands. and II you find
as We are Informed. that the officers
OF the church al Rome have such pow
er and authority. you will endeavor
TO attain the results above indicated.
Any negotiations which you may enter
upon are always subject 10 granting
OF power by congress.
Governor Taft Is instructed that
one OF the controlling principles OF
our government Is the complete separ.
alton OF the church and state. with
the entire freedom OF each from any
control or interference by the other
This principle Is imperative wherever
American Jurisdiction extends. and no
modification or shading thereof can be
subject OF discussion.
by reason OF succession the relig
ious orders can no longer perform In
behalf OF the state the duties In rela-
tion TO public instruction and public
charities formerly resting upon them
u Is manifest that under these condi-
tions IL Is for the interest OF the
church. as we'll as the state. that the
land proprietorship OF the religious or.
ders in the Philippines should cease.
and that II the church wishes. as OF
course II does. TO continue IT'S minis
tration among the people OF the Is
lands and TO conduct in its own behalf
a system Of instruction. with which
we have no desire to interfere. II
should seek other agents therefor.
1T Is the wish OF our government,
IN case congress shall grant authority.
that the titlcs OF the religious orders
10 the large tracts OF agricultural lands
which they now hold. shall be extin-
tlngushed but that full and fair com
pensation shall be made therefor.
provisions should be made for as
certalning what rentals. II any. ought
10 be- paid for converts and other
church buildings which have been oc-
cupied by the United States troops
during the lnsurrectlon. this being. OF
course. subject to further specific ac-
tion by congress.
"Your errand viii not be IN any
sense or degree diplomatic In Its ma
ture but will be purely a business
matter Of negotiation by you as gov
ernor OF the Philippines for the pur-
chase of property from the owners
thereof. and the settlement OF lands In
such a manner as 10 contribute to the
. best interests OF the people OF the Is
lands"