Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-07
BASIS OF TAFT'S MISSION
Instructions by Root to Guide in Vatican
Negotiations Sent to Congress,
FAIR DEALING KEYNOTE OF DIRECTIONS
Separation OF Church and state I'm
%perative and Reasonable COmpen-
sRtion for Friar Lands
Must he Needed.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-Seeretsry Root
sent today to the Philippines committee OF
the senate and house the actual copies Of
the instructions given by him to Governor
Taft for his guidance in dealing with the
vatican respecting the acquisition by the
United States of the friars' lands in the
Philippines. These instructions were ex-
hibited yesterday by Governor Taft to the
vatican officials and served the purpose of
credentials.
Secretary Root lays down the following
propositions as the basis Of Governor
Taft's negotiations with the pope:
l. One of the controlling principles Of our
government is the complete separation OF
church and state, with the entire freedom
the sSe oth tIoin This 'I prineip 81 is imperative
wherever American jurisdiction extends and
no modification or shading thereon can be
g. SUBJECT OF discussion.
Need to Apply This Principle.
2 It is necessary to deal now with the
trolled by this. principle in the Philippine
islands, which have for centuries been gov-
with church and state closely united and
having functions of the one exercised by
long controlled and acted virtually as the
agent of the state In the public instruction
and public charities and has from time TO
time acquired large. properties held by 1T
or by its subordinate corporations or OFF,
GERS for these. public uses. A novel situa-
justment of means to ends appropriate TO
the former system entirely fails to produce
the Intended result under the new system
requires to be followed by a readjustment
and Encouragement in the interests both OF
of the great ends of civil government, OF
education, of charity and of religion.
Must Cease Joint Service.
3. BY reason of the separation the re-
ligious orders can no longer perform IN
behalf of the, state the duties In relatioh 10
formerly resting upon them, and. the power
which they formerly exercised. through
i fns'f nG eSiaE Wlthdr FS Tne they ilsyi SSnd thsmsslves
the objects of such hostility on the part or
their .tenantry against them as lanaIor ths,
parishes against them as representatives
Of the former government. that they are
purpose for the church. No rents can be
collected from the populous communities
fGnet6snrppysinntg{o 1 5he ef t lsnu civil Ihi soyernment with
Speaking generally, for several years
P P5eir posts fsvs and 9ee are ue ooEleote q f, nSMla Manila
with the vain hope of returning. They Will
not be voluntarily accepted again by the
people and cannot be restored to their pos
sessions except by. forcible intervention On
the part of the civil government, which the
principles of our government forbid.
For interest of Church.
It is manifest that under these conditlons
1T is TOR the interest OF the church as well
as Of the state that the landed proprietor
T pinee Is should cease and that II the
church wishes, as of course 1t does, TO con-
tinue its ministratlon among me peoRtS III ~
a system of instruction, with which we
have no desire to interfere, 1t should seek
a II 5s The wish Of our government, in
case congress shall grant AUTHORITY, mat nat
the otitles OF the religious oroers TO {nS
they now hold shall be e~xtinguished,, but
that run and fair compensation shall be
& II, is not, however, deemed to be for
the interests Of the people OF the Fniiip-
pine islands that In his tfansrSrmi nie
money capable of productive investment, q
fund should thereby be created to be used
for the restoration OF the trlars
10 the parishes from which they are now
separated. with the consequent disturbance
Of law and order.
wants Fair settlement.
6. The titles to the great amount Of
other than those of the religious orders
and now apparently owned by the state
should be settled fairly.
tanning what rentals. If any, ought to be
paid for the conyents and other chureh
United States troops during the %insurrec-
ton, this being of course subject to fur
Their specific action by congress.
5. The rights and obligations remaining
under the various specific trusts for edp.
cation and charity which are now in doubt
and controversy ought to be settled by
agreement II possible, rather than by the
slow and frequently disastrous processes
of litigation, so that the benefcient pur-
poses of these foundations may not fail.
8. Your errand will not be In any sense
or degree diplomatic in its nature, but
will be purely a business matter OF negotia-
i ft0n nv Won as governor OF the Pnlnp-
pines for the purchase Of property from
the owners thereof, and the settlement
of lands in such a manner as TO con-
tribute to the best interests Of the people
of the islands.
Any assistance which you may desire
whatever on the part of officers OF the
civil government or of military officers to
enable you to perform the duties above
described in a manner satisfactory to
Yourself will be afforded, but the business
Is left entirely in your hands, subject to
such action as may be taken pursuant to
EhdHU ROOT SECRETARY OF War.
The PhMnnines. Washington. d. Q.