Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-06-23
THE FRIAR PROBLEM.


Rome dispatches indicate that the
mission Of Gov. Taft will be entirely
successful. The negotiations are SUI
pending. The papal secretary has sent
a reply to the propositions Of the gov
ernor, but Its contents are naturally
not made public.
The question that prompted the visit
OF Gov. Taft TO Rome is considered
one, the correct solution of which Is
most important to the future develop
ment OF the islands. The Catholic
friars are with some exceptions repre-
scented as oppressofs Of the people, and
as having caused much OF the trouble
in the past. They are said 10 own
more than 100000 acres Of land. More
than half OF this Is in the populous
provinces adjacent TO the city Of Ma
Mia. The tenants on this land are In
a state OF rebellion against the owners.
These have a right TO the protection OF
the courts. But the enforcement Of the
law against the tenants would be con-
strued as meaning that the United
States government takes sides with the
friars against the people, and It Is be-
lieyed riots would follow The frlars,
Il IL said, realizing the hostility OF the
people, have transferred the owner
ship to companies in which they hold
the majority of stock, but the people
are not deceived by this maneuyre.
Gov. Taft now proposes that the Unit
ed states government bay these lands
and turn them over to the tenants
at not less than the price paid for
them, allowing the tenants to purchase
on long and easy payments. The pro-
moters whom the frlars have employed
are opposed TO the purchase by the
government, or at least desire to hold
up the price as much as possible. 1t is
therefore difficult for the government,
by amIcable negotiation, to secure the
purchase OF the land, aud II has been
deemed wise TO appeal TO the pope, who
can control the frlars and so control
the lands, IL the appeal Is successful,
condemnation proceedings viii be
avoided.
But the frlar question has also an
other feature. Under the old regime
these frIars acted as parish priests.
They discharged not only religious
functions, but they were the force by |
which the Spanish government retained
control OF the islands. There was grad
ually drawn TO them all the local civil
power In the 800 pueblos Of the archi-
pelago. They were n sort OF policemen,
and the people naturally attributed to
them every act Of oppression and every
severe measure undertaken against any
resident OF the pueblo. Hence It is
that the Philippine people have an I'M
dying hostility that Is practically uni
yersal, TO the Spanish frlars. The fol.
lowing story Is told In Illustration OF
the popular hostility to the friars: Two
or three friars went TO Cebu. So deep |
seated was the feeling OF the people |
against them that q congregation Of |
two or three thousand met In the ca |
thedral TO hear mass and a sermon. |
withdrew In n body the moment frlar |
rose TO preach. Appeal was made TO |
the governor, Llorente, that he Danish |
The friars from Cebu. He rlghtfully re.
piled that he had no power to do So In |
spite OF the fact that florente's refusal |
was strictly IN accordance with his du.
IT, he was defeated IN the canvass for
governor OF Cebu solely on the ground
that he was friend Of the frlars. as
shown by his failure to Danish them. II |
Is OF the utmost Importance. therefore.
that ACCOMPANYING the purchase OF the
iriars' lands shall be an arrangement
by which there shall be substituted as
parish priests Of the Islands some other
priests than the members OF the monas.
tic orders.
II these questions are settled satlsfac.
lorily at Rome some OF the greatest
obstacles to peace. order and content
nent In the Philippines will be re.
moved
An effort was made In certain quar-
.ers TO give Gov Tafts mission the an.
'earance OF diplomatic step. But this
Interpretation Of it was smphatchlly
excluded by demonstrations OF the sec
'etary of war to the governor.
In these Instructions Il was said.
Your errand win not be in any sense
'r degree diplomatic In its nature. but
viii be purely a business matter Of ne.
collation. by you as governor ~ the
Philippines for the purchase OF property
rom the owners thereof and the set
lement Of lands In such manner as TO
contribute TO the best interests OF the
people Of the islands"
The United States. we presume. had
ull power TO settle the questions in.
'olved without appeal to the ecclesias.
zeal authorities In Rome. but II the set
lement. through a friendly discussion
With those authorities. can be effected
With less friction, than otherwise. there
an be no serious objection to such an
xpedent.