The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-17
Secretary Roots Explanation of Atti-
tude of the United States Placed
Before Cardinal RampoIIa.
NEGOTIATIONS NEAR AN END
TAFT TO LEAVE ROME FOR MANILA
ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.
Friars Not Wanted in the Philippines
Because They Are Objectionable
to the Natives.

ROME, July 16.-At noon to-day Major
Porter. of the judge advocates department
of the army at Washington, personally de-
livered to Cardinal Rampolla the last note
Of Judge Taft on the subject of the with
drawal of the friars from the islands, which
will presumably end the governments ne
gotiations here, as Major Porter simultane-
ously presented a letter from Judge Taft
asking for a farewell audience of the Pope.
Judge Taft's note to Cardinal Rampolla
follows, in part: 'In reply to the two notes
of your Eminence of June q and July 9,
have just received a communication from
the secretary of war, in precise and ex-
haustive terms, which are here reproduced
integrally. Secretary Root says he is glad
TO see by the two notes received from the
Vatican that the Holy See is animated by
the best intentions to come to an under
standing with Washington about the rela-
tons between church and safe In the Philip
pines, that your Eminence has declared the
Vatican to be disposed to give clear and
precise instructions to the friars to occupy
themselves with religion only. abstaining
from politics, and that the Holy See pro-
poses to introduce. little by little. ecclesias-
tics of other nationalities, especially Amer
lean. Secretary Root adds that he cannot
do less than acknowledge the wisdom of
these propositions, but that he must OBJ
serve that they would not solve the ques-
ton.
1.-The United States has no desire to vio-
lat the treaty of Paris, and seeks not
forcible, but a voluntary withdrawal of
certain persons, who happen to be Span
iards, and whose previous experiences in
the islands had thrown them into antagon-
istic relations with the people and with the
Catholic laity and native clergy, many of
whom have left their parishes and can only
be reinstated by using material force, which
the United States cannot permit. This
proves that the government OF the Philip
pines has intention to propose measures
contrary TO the interests of the Vatican,
and, in fact, its interest in the church. Ii
the question of withdrawal be left unsolved
now that the Washington government has
persuaded the ecclesiastical authorities TO
see the necessity of carrying out this step.
the latter withdrawal of the friars under
order of the religious superior could not be
regarded as anything but voluntary and
would not violate the treaty of Paris;
could such order be regarded affirming
or admitting any accusations against the
friars, because the American government
made no such accusations. 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 contract which would bind the Philip
pine government to certain 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 its way clear to make
a definite withdrawal, the American gov
eminent has deemed il wiser to recur to the
methods of settlement of the various ques-
tions at issue suggested by Cardinal Ram
polla's first communication of June 81
namely: First, an investigation on both
sides into the possible and probable liabili-
ties and claims and the settlement of them
by an accredited apostolic delegate with
the Governor in Manila, after the condi-
lions with respect to the titles Of the friars
to the land and the amount of claims for
rental have been presented by the repre-
sentative of the church to the representa-
Mia.
"As to the indemnity for the friars' lands.
your Eminence has pointed out the difficult
ty of computing so precipitately the exact
value, but this might be done by examining
the title deeds. The Washington govern
ment will Immediately order the general
commanding the forces In the Philippines
to furnish all information necessary to as
certain what damage has been done by the
military occupation. Although regretful
that all the questions have not been decided
definitely, the government is glad to
press satisfaction at the results obtained"
clares that Judge Taft's journey is quite
compensated for by the fact that it is pos
sible to fix general lines on which later
can be amicably resolved all the questions
now pending Meanwhile, a preliminary,
he wishes Cardinal Rampola to send to the
Philippine government four lists of the
| property considered to belong to the re-
| ligious orders, comprising: First, that
transferred to corporations; second. the &C.
clesiastical buildings occupied by the
compensation therefor; third. the property
| before considered Spanish crown lands
which it is desired the American govern
| ment should transfer TO the church, though
| Washington will grant such transfers only
| on condition that a satisfactory agreement
| be reached on all other questions; fourth,
! the charitable and educational institutions
which the Vatican desires to be considered
as belonging to the church
Secretary Root concludes by instructing
| Judge Taft to express to Cardinal Ram
! polla his pleasure that the visit OF the
! American representatives has resulted in
! broad basis for harmonious settlement his
| thanks for the courtesy shown by the Vati-
| can to Judge Taft and for the promptness
| with which the Vatican has acted and his
| hopes that. though no specified agree
/ ment has been reached, the Vatican will
/ ultimately find IL just TO do what has been
| suggested.
| Judge Taft concludes his note to the vati-
| can thus: I'm obedience to Secretary Roots
| dispatch l request that the future negotia-
| tons on the points raised be held in Manila
between an apostolic delegate and the Gov
| ernor. after the information suggested
above by Secretary Root has been ascer-
| tanned and presented"
The Vatican is buzzing with comments
| on the last American note. the contents OF
which were somewhat unexpected as II
| was thought that Washington would make
| counter propositions. A majority here rep
resent the result a success for Papal ii-
| plomacy, while others express the opinion
| that the friars will not get in Manila bet
ter terms than those offered here and that
| the AFFAIR may end in their being obliged
| TO leave the archipelago with less money
| as il would DE impossible 10 bring before
| the courts the 1000 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 relief orders, as it would Justify the
| governments Of France, Spain, etc, which
| took measures against them without hav-
! ing recourse 10 the Vatican
/ Vatican CrificiHPd.