Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-22
Another Phase of the Friar Question.


VIII you allow me to call attention to
another phase of the friar question? In
my article published in The Evening Star
on the 14th instant 1 attempted to show
from the treaty between the United States
and Spain that the friars in the Philip
pines were either citizens of the United
States or of Spain, and therefore any ques-
ton of what title the friars had to land
must be settled by mutual agreement in
our courts, and not by the Vatican at
Rome. In The Evening Star of the 10th
instant 1t is stated that ."Archbishop Ire
land. al ST. Paul, had a conference with
| Secretary Root this morning following a talk
he had had with the President respecting
the Philippine friars' lands question: that
the government has accepted Ireiands ad-
vice and that is why Gov Taft will stop
at Rome on his way back to Manila to
arrange for the transfer Of the friars lands
to the Philippine government.
What right has the pope, for it is with
him. 1 suppose, Gov. Taft must deal, in the
titles of the friars? Whatever title the
friars possess to lands is vested in the
bishop of Manila as the rule of the Catho-
lie Church Is that the title to property in
which the church has an interest is vested
| in the bishop The former bishop of Ma
Mia has, by order of the pope, or with his
consent. returned to Spain. Seemingly the
pope will not order him back to the care
of the Catholic Church in the Philippines
| or appoint a new bishop. Why? Because
he desires this government, by its repre-
sentative. to come to Rome, and in this
formal manner recognize the pope as a
power which must be treated with. The
Emperor Henry " went to Canossa and
history records the sorry spectacle he
there presented to the world. Prince Bis
marck. it is reported, went very near the
same place, and now the honors of the
papacy would be crowned if the great re-
| public of the west could be induced to be
its sutton in this matter.
The close of the article in The Star says
| that "Monsignor Sbaretti favored a settle
ment of this question at Manila. In that
| case he would have been appointed arch
bishop and would have undertaken the
work himself in behalf of the religious
| orders"
| The place to settle the friar question,
| and there is more to be settled than their
| title to land, is as monsfgnpr says. at Ma
Mia. but the archbishop wants the matter
carried to Rome. OF course, If he can sue
coed in this he will obtain great credit
| with the Vatican. but 1 believe this is a
| Manila. and that 1 express the views of
many Americans, who deprecate our GO
| ing to Rome. and who think Gov. Taft
should return direct to his post, where his
presence would seem to be Of great i'm
| portance in other matters outside of this
friar question.
If the pope will not appoint a bishop to
| look after the interest of the Catholic
! Church in the Philippines, that, suppose,
| is his privilege. but his failure to do so
| leaves this government no worse off than
| 1t has been since it took possession Of the
! islands under the treaty with Spain.
Monsignor Sbaretti the Italian was right
| on this question, and the archbishop was
| wrong, and the acceptance of the advice
Of the latter. I believe. will turn out to
If carried out. will not be to the honor or
A''A u TIC '' NO nsa B. BLoss.