The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-11
THE VATICAN'S ANSWER.
Twelve Articles Ia The Contract Pro-
posed 10 Be Signed.
POPE DECLINES TO RECALL FRlARs.
Copy OF Reply VIII Be Taken TO Oyster
Bay 70 Be Submitted to President
Roosevelt.

Rome, July s,--The answer OF the vatican
TO the note OF Governor Taft governor Of |
'ne philippine Islands, regarding religious |
anairs In the archipelago, which was hand !
ca to Cardinal Rampolla, papal secretary OF
state, July 8, was delivered TO Judge Taft
at late hour tonight.
The vaticans answer TO Judge Taft fol
lows:
The contract which the vatican proposes
shall be signed by both parties, comprises
the twelve articles. The first article says
the Philippine government is 10 buy the
lands OF the four religious orders concerned
the holy see acting as intermediary.
The second article Describes which are
the agricultural lands to be bought
The third article says that II some Of
these lands are possessed by corporations
the friars will sell their share. :.
The fourth article establishes q tribunal
o. aroiters to be composed OF Ave mem
pers, two of whom are to be chosen by
Inc vatican: two by the Philippine govern
ment and the hfth member by the other
tour In case OF disagreement as TO the
tfth member he shall be chosen In COM
mon accord by the pope and President
The nth article provides that the work Of
the arbiters shall begin January /, 1908.
Inc sixth article refers TO title deeds:
these viii be transferred to the Philippine
Article sets forth that payment is to be
N Mexican dollars in the period Of time
proposed by Judge Taft In his note Of July
:, interest during the payment accruing at
4 per cent.
Article $ deals with the transfer to the
! church or ancient crown lands, with &c
| cieslastical buildings oD them.
The ninth article proposes amicahlc ac-
| cora IN the matter Of existing charitable
or educational trusts which are In dispute
~ the event OF falling to agree in these
/ g. h., hal 81
afhitrators TO whom will also be submitted
me cases OF the medical college OF San
jose nj Manila.
The tenth article provides for nrbitra-
ton as 10 the indemnity the United States
shal pay for the ecclesiastical buildings
used during the war in the Philippines
According 10 the eleventh article the ex-
penses OF the tribunal of arbters is to he
paid by the. Philippine government
Article IL declares thar TIE holy see In
the sphere of action which Is in its COM
petence shall use all its influence for the
paelncation of the Philippine islands and
10 favor of their adhesion to the estab-
lished government and It shall prevent all
political opposition on the part of the
clergy, both regular and secular.
The answer Of the vatican is compiled
In the order Of Judge Tatts note of July
g. First comes the note, which SAYS that
all the studies Of the vatican were cen
tered 70 render more clear, more precise
and definite the relations between the
holy see and the Philippine government.
In fact. the note hegs that II something
further with this intent can he proposed
that II be freely expressed The introduc.
ton proceeds In this tone until II comes
10 the question OF the recall of the friars
II then says the vatican can not acceri
the proposition TO recall the friars within
the fixed period, such recall not being
justified by reasons of force, 1t would
be contrary TO the rights guaranteed h!
the treaty Of Paris and would put the holy
see IN conflict With Spain. II asks: III
the United States can not order the with
drawal Of the friars, how can the pori
do SO, especially when 1t has heen proved
that all the accusations made aginsi then
were partly false, partly exaggerated anc
partly ineXactT
However. the vatican promises that 4
viii try To Introduce into the Philippines
clergy NJ other nauonalities, especial!
Americans. gradually, as they nre foun'
ready or adapted 10 the purposes
The note agrees that the friars shall no
return to the parishes they left and wher'
their presence could provoke trouble Tn
note ends ny saying that the pope is will
Ing that the school question In he Philip
pines Nc not insisted on hut that his holi
ness hopes his representative In Maniil
may have an understanding with Judg
Taft on this point, which Is Of capital i'm
portsnce In country almost exclusivel
| Catholic