Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-11

to transfer to The United states complete,
and that he had no doubt this would be
found to be the case by the law officers
of this government. Referring to At
torney General Knox he said; cit
is fortunate thing for the United
States, that these questions are to be,
passed upon by one of the most expert
enced and distinguished corporation
lawyers of the United States. "
In view of the refusal Of the Vatican
to accede to the demands of the United
States that the friars shall be Withdrawn
from the Philippines, the opinion OF
those who have made a study of the
matter is that the United States would
be powerless to expel the members OF
the clerical orders, even though the
government, under the exercise OF the
right of eminent domain, might appro-
pirate their property by paying just com
pensation therefor 1t is claimed that
the terms of the treaty of Paris are quite
clear on this point. One of the para
graphs of the convention states that
Spanish subjects, natives of the pen
insula, residing in the territory may re-
main or may remove therefrom, retain
ing in either event all their rights of
property, including the right to sell or
dispose of such property or of its pro-
ceeds; and they shall also have the right
10 carry on their industry, commerce
and professions. Another paragraph
states that the inhabitants of the terri
tories ceded by Spain shall be secured IN
the free exercise of their religion. Still
another provides. that Spaniards residing
in these territories shall have the same
protection of the courts as citizens OF the
country to which the courts belong.
Even if these specific paragraphs did not
apply in the case of the friars, 1t Is as
serted that under the general provision
of the treaty whereby the United States
assumes all the obligations of interna-
tional law, they would beprotected from
expulsion as body 1t is true that in
individual cases some of them might be
deported, but only after fair trial on
sedition, treason or other Ofiense against
the state. Moreover, the Philippine
civil government bill enacted during
the session of Congress just closed, pro-
vides that "no law shall be enacted III
said islands which shall deprive any
person of life liberty or property with
out due process of law, or deny to an!
person therein the equal protection OF
the laws" This bill specifically pro-
vides for the purchase of the friar lands,
but contains no authority for the de-
portation of the owners thereof. H.
view of these circumstances it is not
likely that the friars will leave the
archipelago unless the Vatican should
abandon its position or unless they
should do so voluntarily.
Although Minister Merry reported
Yesterday to the State Department that
Nicaragua had complained ofan invasion
of her territory by Colombian govern
ment troops and in consequence OF that
report the Ranger was sent by the Navy
Deparvn.v-t 10 David to investigate,
futher and unofficial advice received
here indicate state of affairs exactly
the reverse. These dispatches state that
Nicaraguans have gone down into
Colombia with the purpose OF throwing
that country into state of greater con-
fusion and if possible of producing a
condition of anarchy. Their idea is
that under such circumstance the build
ing of the Panama canal can be in
definitely postponed. Undoubtedly the
seemingly sudden change ofsentiment in
Congress from the Nicaraguan to the
Panama route came as shock to
Nicaragua and that country is anxious
to do, officially, anything legal to block
the enterprise and unoficially anything
at all to the same end. At the State
Der artment the claim that COlombianS
were invading Nicaragua was pools
poohed flon the start and the incredulity
S even stronger today.
The War Department today made
public the cablegram from acting Gov
ernor Wright in answer to the inquiries
of Secretary Root respecting the charge
that American school teachers were en-
gagged in PROSECUTING the pupils under
their charge from the Catholic faith.
Governor Wright emphatically denies
that PROSECUTING is going on in the Phil
ippines.
United States CONSUL Thos. L. Heenan
at Odessa, Russia, cabled the State
Department today that the plague has
broken out there.
The utmost vigilance is being displayed by
officials of the Treasury Department in behalf
of the two ships with their 200 Cape Nome
passengers which were caught in the lee ana
are now drifting towards the North Pole. y.
| c. Hammet construction agent Of the revenue
cutter service stationed at San Francisco, tele-
graphed the Secretary Of the Treasury a day
or two ago that the COnemaugh had just ar
rived at Seattle from Boring Straits and might
have some news Of the imprisoned vessels.
He was at once directed to ascertrin what
information was 10 be obtained from that
source. Today the Secretary of the Treas
ury received the following reply" Cone
maugh brought no positive news. Drift ice
in the Arctic not expected to break up till
middle of July Portland and Jeanne not
thought to be in danger" The revenue cut
tiers Bear and Thetis, both Of which lire old
whaling vessels accustomed 10 battling with
the ice, are in the neighborhOod and will do
all they can to assist the imperilled yoyagers.
OATH-TAKING. Yesterday was day
of oath-taking in Virginia. The new
constitution, but recently completed,
went into effect at noon, and the execu-
tive officers of the State government as
well as Che judges of courts of record
throughout the Commonwealth, began
promptly to take the oath of allegiance