Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-10
VATICAN REPLIES TO TAFT
Provides for Sale Of Lands and the Pay.
ment Of Indemnity.
CANNOT AGREE TO RECALL THE FRlARs
Claim Made that IL would he Con.
trary to Right Guaranteed by
Treaty of Paris and Put
Holy See in Conflict.

ROME, July s.-The answer Of the vatI.
can to the note Of Governor Taft, governor
OF the Philippine islands, concerning re-
ligious affairs in the archipelago, which
was handed to Cardinal Rampolia, papal
secretary Of state, July 8. was delivered
to Judge Taft at n late hour tonight.
Is the vatican's reply is in French, II
is being translated by Bishop o'Gorman Of
Sioux Falls, s. D., and Major Porter Of the
once OF the Judge advocate general Of the
army. 1t will be telegraphed entire Ia
Washington tonight.
Since Judge Taft has been in Rome he
has sent about $1,000 words by cable to the
Washington authorities.
Answer of Vatican.
The vatican's answer to Judge Taft fol-
lows:
The contract which the vatican proposes
shall be signed by both parties comprises
twelve articles.
The first article says the Philippine gov.
eminent is to buy the lands Of the -four
religious orders concerned, the holy see
acting as intermediary.
The second article describes what are the
agricultural lands to be bought.
The third article says that II some Of
luebe lanuS are possessed Dy corporations
the friars will sell their share.
The fourth article establishes a tribunal
Of arbiters to be composed of Ave members
two of whom are to be chosen by the vat
lean, two by the Philippine government
and the nth member by the other four
In case Of disagreement as to the fifth
member he shall be chosen in common &C.
cord by the pope and President Roosevelt
The nth article provides that the work
Of the srbiters shall begin January 1, 1903
The sixth article refers to title deeds
These will be transferred to the Philippine
government.
Article VII sets forth that payment II
to be made in Mexican dollars IN the
period Of time proposed by Judge Taft II
his note Of July 8, interest during the tim
of payment accruing at 4 per cent.
Article wifi deals with the transfer to the
church of ancient crown lands with %ecclesi,
astical buildings on them.
The ninth article proposes amicable &C.
cord in the matter of existing charitable
or educational trusts which are in dispute
In the event of failing to agree in these
matters recourse is to be had to the samt
arbiters, to whom will also be submitted
the case Of the medical college Of San Jos,
at Manila
Provides for Indemnity.
The tenth article provides for the in.
demnity the United States shall pay for the
ecclesiastical buildings used In the war.
According to the eleventh article the ex.
penses of the tribunal and the expense oil
the arbiters is to be paid by the Philippin,
government.
Article xii declares thai the holy sec
in the sphere Of action which is in its com.
petence shall use all it's influence for the
pacihcation of the Philippine islands ant
in favor Of their adhesion to the estAb.
lished government and to the end that II
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 Taft's note OF July
.. First comes the note which says thai
all the studies Of the vatican were cen.
tered to render more clear. more precise
and definite the conditions between the
holy see and the Philippine government
In fact the note begs that II something
further with this intent can be proposed
that 1t be freely expressed, adding thai
1t would be considered with great pleas
ure. The introduction proceeds in thii
tone until 1t comes to the question of the
recall OF the friars. 1t then says the vat
lean cannot accept the proposition to re-
call the friars within the fixed period
Such recall not being justified by reasons
Of force majeure. 1t would be contrary Il
the rights guaranteed by the treaty o
Paris and would put the holy see in con
hict with Spain. II asks:
"If the United States cannot order tn,
withdrawal of the friars, how can the pop
do so, especially when II has been provet
that all the accusations made against then
were partly false, partly exaggerated and
partly inexact?"
However, the vatican promises that 4
will try to introduce into the Philippines
clergy Of other nationalities, especial!
Americans, gradually. as they are found
ready or are adapted to the purpose.
The note agrees that the friars shall
not return to the parishes they left, ant
where their presence could provoke trou.
BILE. The note ends by saying that the pop
is willing that the school question in the
Philippines be not insisted on now, bui
that his holiness hopes his representative
In Manila may have an understanding with
Judge Taft on this point, which is OF cap,
ital Importance In a country almost ex.
clusively Catholic.
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