The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-07-22
or NATIONAL 1nPOREATCE.
Several Kswsy Mattsrs Reported by Our
Warrington Correspondent.
Cor. of The Progressive Farmer.

1 Governor Taft has presented a note to
the Vatican in which he asserts that
the United States cannot recede from
its original position in regard to- the
withdrawal of the friars from the
Philippines and has requested a final
audience prior to his departure for
Manila. The negotiations in regard
to the land holdings of the church and
the friars are continued BY. a request
that the Vatican prepare and submit
a list of those properties which the
Vatican regards as belonging to the
religious orders. It is further re-
quested that subsequent negotiations
be resumed at Manila. It is iappre-
ciated in Washington that the Vati-
can is loath to concede the necessity
of the withdrawal of the friars, but
the news comes from Manila that al
ready more than three-fourths of the
friars have left the islands, leaving
but 500 there, and it is suspected that
this exodus has taken place at the
Suggestion" of the Pope. IF this as
sumption is correct, it is more than
probable that the firm attitude, of the
administration accompanied by a de-
lay in the negotiations may result in
the withdrawal of the remaining
friars which is all the government de-
sires and the method of accomplishing
that end will not prove d matter of
contention.
THE IsTHIMIAN CANAL NEGOTIATIONS.
After the exchange of numerous
notes and verbal opinions between the
State Department and the Colombian
Legation, the Colombian Minister, Sc
nor Concha, and Secretary Hay will
meet today to put in it's final form the
treaty which Senior Concha will sub
NIT to his government for approval.
Throughout the negotiations the Co.
lombian Minister has shown a dispo-
sition to meet the views of the Secre-
tary of State in so far as possible, and
it is hoped that this treaty will re-
ceive the approval of the Colombian
government. It has been suggested
hat the United States establish mil
itary government over the zone of
land through which the canal is to be
constructed during the process of
such construction and it is more than
probable that the building of the ca
nal will be largely under the superYi-
sion of the army and navy authorities.
1t is pointed out that such supervision
would afford the best opportunity to
the military officers of the United
States to study the conditions sur
rounding the canal and the informa-
ton so obtained would be most valua-
bic from a strategic standpoint. I'm
der the Hay-Pauncefote treaty the
United States will have the right to
fortify the canal and the Navy De
partment has already developed a
strategic program of considerable
magnitude which includes coaling
stations and bases of supplies in that
vicinity. The presence of United
States troops along the canal during
its construction, it is believed will be
regarded favorabIy by Colombia as
making for peaceful and orderly con
ditions. The large force of laborers
which it will be necessary to employ
will be of a most polyglot description
and the presence of the troops would
have a most salutary effect upon them.
Owing to the necessity of submitting
the treaty to the Colombian govern.
ment, which necessity is maintained
by Senior Concha, the treaty will not
be signed until fall, but Secretary
Hay still hopes that it will be ready
for submission to the Senate as soon
las Congress ~convenes.
SKILL AND BURN SMITH RETIRED
The President has taken final action
on the case of General Jacob II.
Smith who has received considerable
notOriety because of his alleged skill
and burn and make Samar a bowling
wilderness order, ! It was proved at
the court-martiaI that General Smith
did not use these words in a formal
order but that. incenSed at the mas
%sacre of a portion of 4he Ninth In
fantry art Balangiga, he did Use such
language in conversation With Major
Waller before. tfe latter started on his
famous expedition Is sSamar. &2The
President, after dwelling on the hon
orable career Of the General. deplores
the intemperance of the language
which he permitted himself on this oc-
casien and calls attention to the ne
cessity for the greatest caution. on