The Irish standard., 1902-07-19
THE FRlARS AND THEIR LANDS.

THE FRIARS AND THEIR LANDS.
The latest news from Rome anent
the negotiations for the purchase of
the Spanish friurs' lands in the Phil
ippines indicate that the Vatican and
Governor Taft are in accord so far as
the lands are concerned, but what to
do with the friars themselves is the
perpleXing problem for solution. Ac-
cording to the treaty of peace between
the United States and Spain the friars
may remain in the islands OF may re-
move thcretrom, just as they please,
and they have the right to carry on
their missionary work us before, be
ing subject to such laws as are appli-
cable to other Foreigners AS the
case now stands, neither the Vatican
nor the Washington government will
assume the responsibility of eXpelling
the frars from the islands.
The members of the religious orders
have been guilty of no crime against
can has no cause to demand their
withdrawal from the archipelago, and
this government cannot drive them
out without violating an international
agreement Despite all the SANDERS
that have been cast upon these holy
men who have rescued the Eiipinos
from barbarism and heathcnisnl, il
the truth were told the only crime
they have been guilty of is loyalty to
the Spanish government They have
been the promoters of peace, and in
the insurgents.
No specific charge of immortality has
been filed against any member Of the
religious orders now under the ban,
and what has been said by lying
| Protestant missionaries, apostate Cath
olics, KatipuDans and Filipino rebels
is not susceptible Of proof in any court
OF justice.
In April, 1898, just u month prior to
| thC Chli VI ACNSJ . Acct luLS Mlllll
bay, the friars addressed memorial
to the Spanish government and de-
manded a thorough investigation Of
all the charges preferred against them
by Freemasons and Revolutionists.
No official notice was ever taken OF the
document. The Spanish ministry had
resigned before it reached Madrid,
and new ministry was LII office, un-
der Sagasta, whose time was entirely
occupied with matters Of more i'm
portance. In closing their memorial
the friars said: I'VE prefer to resign
our ministry and see ourselves eX-
PEELED rather than continue our mis-
sion in the islands, If the situation
does not better itself before long.
We have done our work we'll in these
islands, and we feel sure that we shall
be able to do our duty quite us we'll
elsewhere with the grace Of Cod"
From all we cam learn, the follow
ers Of Aguinaldo and other rebel gen.
erals are still opposed to the Spanish
friaus and want to get rid Of them by
hook or by crook, but the tlocks whom
they faithfully served are not crying
out for their expulsion. On the con.
trary, the people are treating the frars
with revcrent and kindly considers,
tion, and no outrage or assault has
been committed upon them.
1t is said that they have been driver
from their parishes into Manila, but
: by whom? Some 400 of them are re
ported to be hated because of their
former cruelty and exactions, but by
whom? II they are constantly Ell
gagged in conspiracies and intrigues
against the United States, as alleged
why not arrest and prosecute them ac
cording to law?
The fact Of the matter is that the
friars are outrageously maligned and
misrepresented. Their lands can be
taken from them by purchase or con.
fiscation, but they cannot be ruthless,
ly driven out by their enemies. This
government may not afford them pro.
lection If they remain there, as it is
i'm duty bound to do, but it cannot
forcibly eject them without violating
the Spanish-American treaty, Judge
Taft may ask the Vatican to Danish
them in the interest of peace, but will
the Vatican comply with his request?
We opine not.