New-York tribune., 1902-07-10
NOTE DELIVERED TO JUDGE TAFT.
SETTLEMENT OF FRIARs' LAND QUESTIONS
BY ARBITRATION PROPOSED


BY ARBITRATION PROPOSED.
OBy The Associated Press1
Rome July 9.-The answer of the Vatican TO
the note of Governor Taft concerning religious
affairs in the Philippines, which was handed to
Cardinal RampoIla. the PapaI Secretary of
State. on July 3. was delivered to Judge Taft
at a late hour tonight As the Vatican's
ply is in French, it is being translated by
Bishop OGorman and Major Porter. Ii will be
telegraphed entire to Washington tonight.
The principal features of the Vatican's answer
to Judge TAFT follow:
Section of the contract which the Vatican
proposes. shall be signed by both parties
prises twelve articles.
Ihe first article says the Philippine Govern
ment is TO buy the lands of the four religious
orders concerned. the Holy See acting as inter
medary.
The second article describes what are the
agricultural lands to he bought.
The third article says that if some of these
lands are possessed by corporati tions, the friars
will sell their share.
The fourth article establishes a tribunal of
arbiters. to he composed of five members, two
of whom to be chosen by the Vatican, two
by the Philippine Government and the fifth
member BY the other four In case of disagree
ment as to the fifth member. he shall be chosen,
IN common accord pN tne rope ana BreSlOenJ
Roosevelt.
The fifth article provides that the work of the
arbiterS shall begin January I, 1903.
The sixth article refers to title deeds; these
will he transferred to the Philippine Govern
ment
Article VII sets forth that payment is to he
made in Mexican dollars in the period of time
proposed by Judge Taft. in his note of July 5.
interest duri1g the period of payment accruing
i per cent.
Article VIII deals with the transfer to the
Church of ancient crown lands with ecclesias-
tica buildings them,
The ninth article proposes amicable accord in
the matter of the existing charitable educa-
tional trusts which in dispute. In the event
of falling to agree in these matters. recourse
is to BE- had to the same arbiters. TO whom
will also be submitted the case of the Medical
College of San jose at Manila.
The tenth article provides for arbitration to
the indemnity the United States shall pay for
the ecclesia stical buildings used during the
According to the eleventh article. the expenses
of the tribunal of arbiters are 10 be paid by
the Philippine Government.
Article XII declares that the Holy See. in the
sphere Of action which is in its competence,
shall all its influence for the pacitication of
the Philippine Islands and in favor of their ad-
heson the established government and that
it shall prevent all political opposition on the
part of the clergy, both regular and secular
Obj ELS IO fNEAOA ALL OF MARS
The answer of the Vatican is compiled exactly
as was Judge Taft's note of July ;. First comes
the note which says that all the studies of the
Vatican were centred to render more clear. more
precise and definite the conditions between the
Holy See and the Philippine Government. In
fact the note begs that if something further
with this intent be proposed 10 express it
freely adding it would he considered with great
pleasure.
The introduction proceeds in this tone until
it comes TO the question of the recall of the
friars: il then says the Vatican cannot accept
the proposition to recall the friars within the
fixed period. Such recall not being justified by
reasons of force majeure. il would be contrary
to the rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Paris |
and would put the Holy See in conflict with |
Spain 1t asks: IF the United States cannot |
order the withdrawal of the friars how the |
Pope do so, especially when it has been proved |
that all the accusations made against them were |
partly false partly exaggerated and partly in |
eXact?''
However the Vatican promises that it will |
try to introduce into the Philippines clergy of |
other nationalities especially Americans, gradu-
ally as they found ready are adapted to
the purpose.
The note agrees that the friars shall not re-
turn to the parishes they left and where their
presence could provoke trouble.
1t ends by saying that the Pope is willing |
that the school question in the Philippines be |
not insisted upon now. but that His Holiness |
an understanding with Judge Taft on this point,
which is of capital importance in a country !
almost exclusively Catholic.