Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-07-19

lean note submitted yesterday, the CON
tents VI which We're somewhat uneX-
pected, as II was thought that Wash
ingtOn would make counter-proposi-
tions. A majority here represent the
result as a success for papal diplO-
macy, while others express the opinion
that the friars will not get in Manila
better terms than those offered here
and that the affair may end in their be-
ing obliged to leave the archipelago
with less money, as it would be i'm
10000 tenants who occupy their lands,
paying no rent therefor.
This, and the partial failure Of the
visit to Rome of Judge Taft, would be
the last straw for the religious orders,
as 1t would Justify the governments Of
France, Spain, etc. which took meas
ures against them without having re-
course to the Vatican.
The following is in part Judge Taft's
last note to the Vatican: in reply to
the notes of your eminence of June p
and July 8, l have just received COM
munication from the secretary of war,
In which he says he is glad to see that
the holy see is animated by the best in
tentiOns to come to an understa nding
with Washington about the relations
between church and state in the Philip
pines: that his eminence has declared
the Vatican to be disposed to give
clear and precise instructions to the
friars to occupy themselves with re-
ltgion only abstaning entirely from
politics. and that the holy see proposes
to introduce. little by little, ecclesi-
astics of other nationalities. especially
American. Secretary Root adds that
he cannot do less than acknowledge the
wisdom Of these propositions but that
he must observe thatSthey would not
solve the question.
"The United States has no desire to
violate the treaty of Paris. and seeks
not fOrcible, but a voluntary with
drawal of certain persons, who happen
to he SpnniardsEand whose previous ex-
periences in the islands had thrown
them into antagOnistic relations with
the people and with the Catholic laity
and native clergy, many of whom have
left their parishes and can only he re-
instated by using material force. which
the United States cannot permit. lfthe
question Of withdrawal be left un-
solved, now that the Washington gov
ernment has persuaded the ecclesiasti-,
cal authorities to see the necessity of
carrying out this step. the later with
drawai Of the friars under order of the
religious superior could not he rega rded
as anything hut voluntary and would
not violate the treaty of Paris. Nor
could such order be rega rded as Affirm
Ing or admitting any accusations
against the friars. because the Amer
lean government made no such ac-
cusatiOn. The United States did not
desire the withdrawal for itself-it was
Indifferent to the presence of the
friars-but in the interest of the whole
people of the Philippines who were
bitterly opposed to their presence.
1T was thought. by the generous
proposal OF a contract which would
bind the Philippine government to Ger
tain financial and other obligations. to
secure the much longed-fOr desire of
the Philippine people in the withdrawal
Of the friars. Now that the Vatican
does not see it's way clear to make a
definite withdrawal, the American gov
ernment has deemed IT wiser to rrcllr
to the methods of settlement of the
various questions Mt issue suggested by
Cardinal Rampolla's first communica-
ton, namely:
First, an investigation by both sides
into the possible and probable liabil-
ties and claims and settlement of them
by an accredited apostolic delegate
with the governor in Manila. after the
conditions with respect to the titles of
the friars to the land and the amount
OF claims for rental have been pre-
sented by the representative Of the
church to the representatives Of the
Philippine government in Manila.
"As to the indemnity for the friars'
lands, this might be done by examin-
ing the title deeds The Washington
government wilI.immediatply order the
6VhCini Tue III lut
Philippines to furnish all indications
necessary to ascertain what damage has
been done by the military occupation.
Although regretfuI that all the uIes-
tlons have not been decided definitely
the government Is glad to express sat
isfaction at the results obtained"
Secretary Root in his communication
declares that Judge Tafts journey is
quite compensated for by the fact that
It is possible to fix general lines on
which later can be amicably resolved
all the questions now pending. Mean
while, as preliminary. he wishes
Cardinal Rampolla to send to the Phil
ippine government four lists Of the
property considered to belong to the
religious orders. MGti'lT
Judge Taft concludes his note to The
Vatican thus: "In obedience to Sc re
nry Roots dispatch. request that the
future negotiations on the points II ised
be held In Manila between an apostolic
delegate and the governor, after the in
formation suggested above by Sccre-
tary Root has been ascertained and
presented"
May Have Perished in Woods.
Millville. Mass, July 17.--Although q