Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-22
MGR. GUIDI VISITS GOV. TAFT.
They Discuss the Problem of the
Church id Philippines.

A dispatch from Manila yesterday says:
Governor Taft and Monsignor Guidi ex-
changed formal vi$ts today and discussed
in general way the prospective negotia-
tons. The date on (which the negotiations
will be begun and tie method of work are
still undetermined 4Monsignor Guidi visit
ed Governor Taft at MaIacanan palace and
made formal address to him. On his ar
rival he presented letter of introduction
from Cardinal Rampolla and also expressed
the personal greetings of the pope. He
SAID that ne accepted the mission because
he knew that Governor Taft was an upright
ana sincere man. Continuing. the apostolic
delegate said:
The scope Of our missions is Identical
namely, the settlement of affairs which
concern important interests in these islands,
you acting for the civil power and for the
religious power. To this end it is necessary
tnat there should exist harmony and conf
dence between the ecclesiastical and civil
authorities. 1t will be my first and princi-
pa! tnought to see that your authority Is
upheld and respected everywhere in the
ISLANDS by those dependent on me, and I
need hardly say that 1 expect your excel
lency to do the same for mine and for all
the authorities of the church in general In
nne, the two powers should go hand in
hand For my part 1 will always be frank
ana open. with you, and 1 beg your excel
we shall always understand one another
perfectly
Governor Taft, in responding to this ad-
dress, welcomed the apostolic delegate and
thanked MIN Tor his kindly expressions The
governor continued:
las you say, the best method of settling
the difficult questions presented between
the. church and the state in these islands
will be found in entire frankness and in
open dealing. The negotiations which
10 Hnr, y1l,a s,,p Dr., ps,,&
the lines upon which we should proceed;
and while undue haste would be unwise In
view or the important interests concerned.
L have no doubt that we can with consid-
cradle speed reach a satisfactory solution.
The result Of your visit, in the judgment
OF my superiors and myself. will much af-
feet the welfare Of the people of the Philip
pines. The property and the rights Of the
church must be observed and protected by
the government. What those rights are
when in dispute, unless they are settled
by an agreement, must be determined by
the courts Of justice. The preservation Of
| those rights Is the duty Of the government
OF these Islands, not only by virtue of the
treaty OF Paris. but by virtue Of the Con
stitution of the United States and of the
principles OF American Jurisprudence,
which are 30 deeply seated in the political
creed OF every American that they cannot
be departed from.
"If we can adjust the mutual rights and
obligations OF the government Of these
| islands with the RonaH Catholic Church by
| compromise and an agreement, without
| having resort to the COURTS, this is end
T devoutly to be wished and an end which 1
am sure we both cordially and sincerely
| seek. l know thai ue both desire the bet
| terment and theSuplifting of the Filipino
people, and thateEhile It is natural that
| there should be differences of opinion as to
the method Of briReh$F about such a great
result, this comm IN lsire on the part Of
the two negotiatoSs sizes great hope that
a conclusion may Be reached by them salts
factory to both and achieving a common
purpose"