The Washington times., 1902-07-18
Negotiations for Sale of
Frlars' Lands to Be Con-
tinuad at Manila.
THROUGH PAPAL DELEGATE
Regretted That No Agreement Was
Reached for Withdrawal of Friars-
Hoped That Vatican Will Act With
out Arrangement.

The following verbatim copy of Sec
retary Roots final instructions in regard
to the negotiations with the Vatican
was made public at the War Depart
ment yesterday afternoon:
Taft. Hotel Quirinal. Rome:
Il am much gratifed by the express
sion of intention en- the part OF the
holy see to take measures which are in
dicated by Cardinal Rampolla's memo
randa of the 22d of June and of the
10th of July to recall the religious in
the Philippine Islands to the life proper
TO their institutes. and to an exclusive
devotion to spiritual ministry, abstain
ing from any kind OF interference with
things appertaining to the civil authori-
ty. and TO introduce as much as possi-
BILE the religious of nationalities other
than Spanish, and particularly the reli-
gious of American nationally. and to
coacede 10 them parochial ministry as
sen as they shall be sufficiently In
stracted in the language of the country.
These measures. so plainly indicated
as wise by the recognized facts in the
Philippine archipelago, are quite inde-
pendent of any business or monetary
consideration. and | feel that such con-
tribution as you have been able to make
TO a full understanding of the facts. and
the development OF the purposes ie-
scribed. is sufficient compensation for
your visit to Rene. 1t is believed that
there Will result a sure basis of mutual
consideration and just treatment in the
future relations between the church and
state in the Philippines in regard TO all
specific questions which will have to
be settled there.
Compulsory Exclusion Not Asked.
Regarding the withdrawal of the
members of the religious order from the
Philippines it should not be understood
that the Philippine government is asking
TO modify or in any manner affect the
conduct of religious matters on the part
of the holy see. or on the part of the
heads of the orders, or for any compul-
sorry exclusion or proceeding whatever.
1T is rather that the Philippine gov
deems of great Importance TO the well
fare of the Philippine people, and which
can be accomplished only by the with
? drawal Of this class OF PERSONS, who
have fortuitously been thrown into
special and antagonistic political rela-
lions with the people.
That government has proposed an ar
rangement which it supposed to be very
advantageous TO the church. and worth
III II.
clesiastical authorities having the di-
rection of the religious orders should see
fit 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 reflection either upon
the nation or upon the orders TO which
the Persons withdrawing happen TO be-
long.
Political and Social Questions.
1.-The reasons making the withdrawal
desirable are not religious or racial,
relations which existed under the former
government, and which have created
personal autlpathies menacing TO the
peace and order of the community. Such
a voluntary withdrawal would not in
volve any confirmation OF any accusa-
tions against the persons withdrawing or
the orders 10 which they belong; and it
is to be observed that we have made
no such accusations.
'It would simply recognize the ex-
istence of the conditions which for sew
eral years past have been and now are
preventing these particular agents from
serving the church in the stations TO
which they were assigned and which
would make their unemployment injur
ious TO the community.
In this matter the United States rep
resentatives in the Philippines are
merely endeavoring TO meet the wishes.
as well az the needs, OF the Philip
pine people
1T is not the United States Govern
ment which objects to the presence of
the friars; il is the Catholic population
OF the Philippine Islands. The lay CATH
olic population and the parish priests
OF native and non-Spanish blood, are
practically a unit in desiring to expel
the ;riars and TO coniiscate their lands
out Of hand
This proposed confscation without
compensation of the church lands was
one OF the fundamental policies Of the
ipsurgent government. under Aguinaldo
recognizing the intensity and prac-
ticai unanimity OF this feeling among
the Filipinos and al the same time de-
string TO avoid causing loss to the
church, the United States Government,
representatives proposed TO pay for the
lands out OF the public funds IL the
iriars would retire from the island and
give place 10 other religious Of thei.
own faith who might be able 10 accom-
plish lor their religion what they them
selves had so s:gnally failed 10 accom-.
plish
Financial Benefit Only to Church.
In making this proposal the Unitei
States representatives, were well aware
that financially 1t was only of benefit
to the church. for the lands are unpro-
ductive and held in adverse possession
by the natives. who refuse to pay rent:
while the former congregations OF the
Objectionable friars now refuse 10 re-
ceive them and they could only be re-
stored 10 their parishes by such aflrma-
tive governmental action as under our
Constitution cannot be taken.
'It is not the desire 10 accomplish the
removal OF this cause OF disturbance
and discor1 that has led to approve that
clause Of your proposal which would in
volye the government of the Philippines
in q large and underlined obligation for
the purchase OF lands In advance OF a