Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-18
Negotiations With the Vatican
Fully Set Out in a Letter
Made Public.
Contains Basis OF Taft's Ulti-
matum on the Subject OF the
Friars' Removal.
Courtesy to the Pope and Re
spect for Catholic lnstitu.
tons Shown.

L
Just received a communication from the
secretary of war, in precise and eX-
haustive terms. Secretary Root says
he is glad to see by the two notes re-
ceiyed from the vatican that the holy
see is animated by the best intentions
to come to an understanding with
Washington authorities about the rela
lions between church and state in the
Philippines, that your eminence has de-
clared the vatican to be disposed to
give clear and precise instructions to
the friars to occupy themselves with
religion only, abstaining entirely from
politics and that the holy see proposes
TO introduce, little by little. ecclesiastics
of other nationalties, especially Ameri-
can. Secretary Root adds that he cam
not do less than acknowledge the wis
dom of these propositions. but that he
must observe that they would not solve
the quetsion.
1.-THE United States has no desire to
violate the treaty of Paris and seeks
not a forcible, but voluntary with
drawal of certain persons, who happen
to be Spaniards, and whose previous
in the islands had thrown
them into antagonistic relations with
the people and with the Catholic laity
and native clergy, many of whom have
left their parishes and can only be re-
instated by using material force. which
the United States cannot permit.
This proves that the government of
the Philippines has no intention to pro-
pose measures contrary to the interests
of the vatican and, in fact, its interest
in the church. If the question of With
drawal be left unsolved, now that the
Washington government has persuaded
the ecclesiastical authorities to see the
necessity of carrying out this step, the
later withdrawal of the friars under
order of the religious superior could not
be regarded as anything but voluntary
and would not violate the treaty OF
Paris: nor could such order be regarded
as affirming or admitting any acsusa-
lions against the friars, because the
American government made no such
The United States did not
desire the withdrawal for itself-lt was
Indifferent to the presence of the trlars
but in the interest of the whole peo-
pie of the Philippines, who were bitter
ly opposed to their presence.
ut was thought. by the generous
proposal of contract which would
bind the Philippine government to GER
tain financial and other obligations to
secure the much longedfo desire OF
the Philippine people in the withdrawal
of the friars. Now that the vatican
does not see its way clear to make
definite withdrawal, the American gov
eminent has deemed it wiser TO recur
to the methods of settlement of the
various issues at issue, suggested by
Cardinal Rampolla's first conmunlea-
ton of July 81, manly:
"First. an investigation by both sides
into the possible and probable liabili-
ties and claims and the settlement of
them by an accredited apostolic dele
gate with the governor in Manila, after
the conditions with respect to the titles
of the friars to the land and the amount
of claim for rental have been presented
by the representative of the church to
the representatives of the Philippine
in Manila.
.As to the indemnity for the friars'
lands. his eminence has pointed out the
difficulty in computing so precipitately
the exact value, but this might be done
by examining the title deeds. The
Washington government will immedi-
ately order the general in command of
the forces in the Philippines to furnish
all indications necessary to ascertain
what damage has been done by the mil
itary occupation. Altho regretful that
all the questions have not been decided
definitely, the government is glad to
express satisfaction at the results OBJ
tained."
Secretary Root in his communication
declares that Judge Tafts journey is
quite compensated for by the fact that
1t is possible to fix general lines on
which, later, can be amicably resolved
ell the questions now pending. Mean
while as preliminary, he wishes Car
dinal Rampolla to send to the Philip
pine government four lists Of the prop
erty considered to belong to the relig-
ious orders, comprising:
One-That transferred to corpora
tons.
Two-The ecclesiastical buildings oc-
cupied by the troops, with indications
o. the damage and compensation there
for.
Three-The property before consid-
cred Spanish crown lands which it is
desired the American government
should transfer to the church, tho
will grant such transfers
only on condition that a satisfactory
agreement be reached on all other ques-
tons.
Four-'The charitable and education-
al institutions which the .statistician
desires to be considered as belonging to
the church.
Secretary Root concludes by in
Judge Taft to express to Car
dinal Rampolla his pleasure that the
visit of the American representatives
has resulted In a broad basis for har-
monious settlement, his thanks for the
shown by the vatican to Judge
Taft and for the promptness with which
the vatican has acted, and his hopes
that, tho no agreement has yeen
the vatican will ultimately find
1T just to do what has been suggested.
Judge Taft concludes his note to the
vatican thus:
'In obedience to Secretary Roots dis
patch request that the future negotia-
tions on the points raised be held in
Manila between an apostolic delegate
and the governor, after the information