The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-18
PEACE is THIS CoUNTRYs AIM
AND 1T CANNOT BE ASSURED As
LONG As FRIARS REMAIN.
Counter Proposition Based on Cardi
mil RampOIIa's Memorandum of
the I'D of June.


ernor Taft yesterday communicated to the
Vatican. Secretary Roots note expresses
qualification at the expression Of intention
on the part of the Holy See to take the
measures which are indicated by Cardinal
Rampolla memoranda of the 22d Of June
and Of the 10th Of July and continues:
Regarding the withdrawal OF the mem
bers of the religious orders from the Phil
ippines il should not be understood that
the Philippines government is asking to
modify or in any manner AFFECT the con-
duct OF religious matters on the part of the
Holy See, or on the part OF the heads of
the orders. or Tor any compulsory exclusion
or proceeding whatever. 1t is rather that
the Philippines government desires social
results, which il deems OF great Importance
TO the welfare Of the Philippine people and
which be accomplished only by the
withdrawal of this class of persons who
have been thrown into special and antago-
nistic political relations with the people.
That government has proposed an arrange
ment which is supposed TO be very adVan-
tageous to the church, and worth it's own
while 10 carry out, If the ecclesiastic au-
thorities having the direction OF the re-
ligious orders should see mt voluntarily TO
withdraw them from the islands. Such
voluntary withdrawal cannot be considered
a violation of any rights under the treaty
of Paris or otherwise, or any rehecuon
either on the nation or on the orders 10
which the persons Withdrawing happen to
belong.
WHY WITHDRAWAL is DESIRABLE.
1.-The reasons making the withdrawal de-
sirable are not religious or racial, but arise
from the political and social relations
which existed under the former govern
ment and which have created personal an
| tipathies menacing to the peace and order
of the community. Such a voluntary with
| drawal would not involve any confirmation
| of any accusations against the persons
Withdrawing or the orders TO which they
| belong; and IL is TO be observed that We
have made no such accusations. II would
simply recognize the existence of the con-
| ditiOns which for several years past have
| been and now are preventing these par
/ ticular agents from serving the church in
| the stations 10 which they were assigned
| and which would make their re-employ-
| ment injurious to the community. In this
| matter the United States representatives in
| the Philippines are merely endeavoring 10
| meet the wishes well as the needs, OF the
ut is not the United States government
| which objects TO the presence OF the friars;
| it is the Catholic population of the Philip
pine islands. The lay Catholic population
| and the parish priests of native and nom
| Spanish blood are practically unit in
desiring both to eXpel the friars and to
conhscate their lands out of hand. This
proposed contiscatiOn, without compensa-
| ticn of the church land was one of the fun
| oamental policies of the insurgent govern
ment under Aguinaldo. Recognizing the
| intensity and practical unanimity of this
| feeling among the Fflipinos and at the
| same time desiring TO avoid causing loss
| to the church. the United States govern
| ment's representatives proposed TO pay for
| the lands out of the public funds if the
| friars would retire from the island, and
| give place to others of their own faith
| who might be able 10 accomplish for their
| religion what they themselves had so sig
| nally failed to accomplish.
NATIVES WILL NOT PAY RENT.
L a
| States representatives were we'll aware
that financially it was only of benefit to
the church, for the lands are unproductive
and held in adverse possession by the ma
tives, who refuse to pay rent: while the
| former congregations OF the Objectionable
friars now refuse to receive them, and they
| could only be restored TO their parishes by
| such affirmative governmental action as,
| under our Constitution, cannot be taken.
| ut is the desire to accomplish the re-
| moval OF this cause Of disturbance and
| discOrd that has led me 10 approve that
| clause of your proposal which would in
| Volve the government of the Philippines in
a large and underlined obligation for the
| purchase of lands in advance of a specific
| ascertainment of their values and of the
estimated prices which we can reasonably
expect 10 receive from them when We in
| turn offer them for sale; ard to the clauses
which would anticipate the authority of
Congress in regard to the ascertainment of
! rentals and damages in the course of oc-
| cupation and the conveyance OF the church
| lands provided for in your proposal
'If this obliga ton is not TO be assured,
| then the arrangement sought should be
quite different in form and should more
| closely follow the suggestions of Cardinal
| Rampolla In his memorandum of June %
| wherein he says that an estimate of the
/ value of the lands, conformable with the
| principles of justice and equity, Is a com
| plicated question requiring special study of
| the facts and cannot be solv ID with pre-
| cipitation and declares the disposition OF
the Holy See 10 furnish the new apostolic
| delegate who is to be sent to the Philip
| pines with necessary instructions in order
TO treat amicably this affair in understand
ing with the American government and the
parties interested. and so TO arrive at fix
ing satisfactory accord, whether on the
value of the lands or the conditions OF the
sale and wherein he further says that the
apostolic delegate will be instructed on al
the matters touched on in the memoran-
dun TO come 10 an understanding with the
American authorities and secure a just
settlement.
Following the course thus proposed by his
Eminence and having secured a full and
definite enumeration Of the various par
cells of property in which the religious or
ders are interested and which they are
willing to sell IL will be the duty OF the
Philippines government TO determine fol-
itself what price IL Is willing 10 pay That
price. OF course, will be affected by the
practical benefits to be derived from the
purchase in view of the facts. This course
also makes il possible TO take into consid-
GRAFTON the fact which now appears that
| contrary TO our former suppOstion the
real and substantial title TO the lands in q
! great measure has passed out OF the re.
| ligious orders and is vested in corporations
/ which they cannot entirely control and
| which hold the lands for the purpose Ol
lawful gain and are alone competent 4
sell them. 1t may we'll be that the price:
which you will feel justified in paying fol
the lands Will be acceptable. The Who'll,
matter may thus be disposed of by friendly
! agreement. in conformity TO the ordinary
methods pursued in business affairs. l be
lieve the good understanding which ha:
been reached between you and the ecclesias
| teal authorities cannot fail TO do away
with the probability OF friction or diff
DAMAGES TO BE PAID.
In the same manner I will direct the gen
eral commanding in the Philippines TO as
certain by the customary methods wha
buildings belonging TO the church hav,
been occupied by American troops snC
for What periods. what damage has beer
done and in each case what reasons. II any
exist for denying an obligation 20 pay rel.t
ais and damages: and I shall hope that IN,
| conclusion thus reached will be satisfac
tory 10 the church. a similar treatment o
all these subjects mentioned Ia your propo
sition may with equal readiness be fol
! lowed.
! thorities having control OF the religious