The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-17
TAFT TO WITHDRAW
xEGOTIATIONS AT ROME PROVE UN.
SATISFACTORY.
FAREWELL AUDIENCE ASKED.
ORR POSITION FULLY REsTATED IN
FINAL NOTE


reasons why the United States
Cannot Comply With the Vatican's
PROPOSITIONS as to Indefinite Time
for Withdrawals of Friars-The
suggestion of Cardinal RampOIIa
That the Negotiations BE Conduct
ed at Manila VIII Now Probably
Be Adopted.
Rome July 16-At noon to-day Maj
Porter of the judge advocates depart
ment of the army at Washington per-
sonally delivered to Cardinal Rampolla,
the papal secretary of state, the last
note of Judge Taft, governor of the
Philippine Islands, on the subject of
the withdrawal of the friars from the
islands, which will presumably end the
governors negotiations here, as Maj
Porter simultaneously presented let
ter from Judge Taft asking for fare
we'll audience of the Pope.
Root Takes Strong stand.
The following is in part Judge Tafts
note to the Vatican. 1t is addressed
to Cardinal Rampolla, papal secre-
tary OF SJdIe, anu DeSlilS lHuS.
In reply to the two notes of your
eminence of June 81 and July 9,
have Just received a communication
from the Secretary of War Mr.. Root,
in precise and exhaustive terms, which
are here reproduced integrally. Sec
rotary Root says he is glad to see by
the two notes received from the Vat
lean that the Holy See is animated by
the best intentions to come to an I'M
Outstanding with Washington about
the relations between church and
state in the Philippines, that your en-
inence has declared the Vatican to be.
disposed to give clear and precise in
structions to the friars to occupy
themselves with religion only, alb
staining entirely from politics, and
that the Holy See. proposes to intro
duce, little by little, ecclesiastics 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 observe that they would
not solve the question.
In Interest of the Church.
The United States has no desire to
violate the treaty of Paris and seeks
not forcible, but a voluntary, with
draWal of certain persons who happen
to be Spaniards and whose previous ex-
pertences in the Islands had thrown
them into antagonistic relations with
the people and with the Catholic laity
and native clergy, many of whom have
left their parishes and can only be re-
instated by using material force, which
the United States cannot permit This
proves that the government of the
Philippines has no intention to pro-
pose measures contrary to the interests
OF the Vatican, and, in fact its inter-
est in the church. If the question Of
withdrawal be left unsolved, now that
the Washington government has per-
suaded the ecclesiastical authorities to
see the necessity of carrying out this
step, the later 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; nor could such order be
regarded as affirming or admitting any
accusations against the friars because
the american government made no
sueh accusation. The United States did
not desire the withdrawal for itself
II was Indifferent to the presence of
tne friars-but in the interest of the
whole people of the Philippines who
were bitterly opposed to their pres
ence.
L" Revert to RaupolIa's Plan.
II was thought by the generous pro-
posdl OF contract which would bind
me Philippine government to certain
financial and other obligations, to Sc
Ture the much longed for desire of the
.nliIpplne people in the withdrawal of
tIe Irars. Now that the Vatican does
no1 see its way clear to make a def
+iile withdrawal, the American gov
eminent has deemed it wiser to recur
the methods of settlement of the
ktailous questions at issue suggested
ny Cardinal Rampolla's first commu-
-' t4,. OF June Fl, namely:
frst An investigation by both
SdIeS INTO the possible and probable
MI and claims and the settle
- OF them by an accredited apos-
s Sglic delegate with the governor in
.nalllla after the conditions with re-
80 10 the titles of the friars TO the
on ai'u ana the amount of claims for rem
al nave been presented by the repre-
sentative of the church to the repre-
r nemlaCVes of the Philippine govern
Hhent in Manila.
las AS to the indemnity for the friars'.
~ you reminence has pointed out
t4 .e Glihculty of computing so precip-
ibealely the exact value, but this might
NJ uone by examining the title deeds.
no me- Washington government will i'm
inu! tfateiy order the general command
nish 'le forces in the Philippines to fur
60 s4i all indications necessary to as
h,, an. what damage has been done
aro. lfiIntary occupation. Although re-
re- eiul that all the questions have not
n,ea. decided definitely, the govern
~ ~ Is glad to express satisfaction
me results obtained"
@,a,s etary Root, in his communica-
ne declares that Judge Taft's Jour-
fso. Is quite compensated for by the
Iinaa mat 1t is possible to fix general
re-. on which, later, can be amicably
MooNed all the questions now pending.
DC ME. as preliminary, he wish
Pr rdlnal Rampolla to send to the
nrr'Iipplne government four lists of the
ra1G;perty considered to belong to the
lous orders, comprising:
tons. - saiisierreu 70 corpora
Second Second. The ecclesiastical buildings
ticupled by the loops, with indica-
thn Is OF the damage and compensation
sra anir r, The property before consid-
desI spanish crown lands which 1t is
sbsii'ea the American government
WI transfer to the church. though
onI, Snlhgton will grant such transfers
az on condition that a satisfactory
o1aetin Ilent be reached on all other
td Fourth. The charitable and educa-
dssiaaI institutions which the Vatican
tn ~ TO be considered as belonging
- the church.
Mr. Root Returns Thanks.
ir secretary Root concludes by instruct