The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-04
NOTE TO The VATICAN
TERMS OF OFFER FOR FRIARS
LANDS LAID DOWN.
PoPE'S PROPOSAL DECLINED.
MUST BE SETTLED AT ROME, NOT
AT MANILA.

The Conditions of the Proposed Pur-
chase of the Friars' Lands Detail
ed-The Proposition "a Liberal One
With the Distinct Understanding
That the Regime of the Spanish
Friars in the Islands Is Ended and
All Members of the Four Orders
Must Withdraw-Spanish Clergy
other Than Members of These Or
ders May Remain.
Rome, July S.-W. H Taft. civil
governor of the Philippine Islands, to-
day received a long cable message
from Secretary Root, containing the
note relating to the disposition of
the friar lands in the islands, which
was drawn up here Tuesday, and this
afternoon. Maj. Porter delivered the
note to Cardinal Rampolla, the papal
secretary of state.
Answering the Vatican's note, pro-
posing to have the new apostolic dele
gate at Manila settle the question of
the religious orders, Judge Taft in
his note, remarks:
Thus would be lost the advant-
ages expected from direct contract
clearly determining the principal
lines upon which cooperation between
the state and church may be assured"
The note proposes the purchase OF
the land of the Dominicans and Au-
gustinians at a price to be determined
upon by five arbitrators, two to be
chosen by the United States, two by
the Vatican and one by a neutral, say
the British governor of India.
The price to be paid in Mexican dol
lars, one third Immediately, a third
in nine months, and third in eighteen
months, with interest at AZ per cent.
Payment to be made to person
chosen by the Vatican.
The former Spanish crown lands, now
in possession of the American govern
ment, on which there are ecclesiastical
buildings, to be handed over to an &c
clesiastical official appointed by the
Vatican.
The ordinary courts to decide con-
corning the land retained by the church
but claimed by the municipalities.
The United States to pay an indem-
| nifty for the buildings used by the
| American troops. But nothing is to be
| paid until the title deeds are in the
| hands of the Philippine government.
! Spanish Regime Has Ended.
All friars of the four orders shat
| withdraw within two years from the
first payment. No Spanish friars may
be substituted for those withdrawn. The
| churches, schools and universities may
| be directed by Spanish clergy or or
ders other than those withdrawn. OF
| by clergy of the same orders who are
| not Spanish. 1t is necessary to con-
vince the Filipinos that the ancient
regime of the Spanish friars is fin
ished.
Significant Facts.
The note reminds the Vatican thai
| the orders still publish a paper in Ma
Mia which is anti-American and anti
| Philippine. but pro-Spanish, and thai
| the orders possess property in Manila
to the value of nearly $6,000,000, Next
| can, while that of the Catholic Church
is only valued at $3500,000, Mexican
| This is very significant as the orders
have also a large capital at interest
| besides the land which it is now pro-
| POSED the government should purchase
| To reach the desired object, the best
| thing is to prevent any member of the
four withdrawing orders, without dis
tinction of nationality, from being Sent
to the islands.
| No Religious Teaching in Schools.
The note ends with calling the at
| tention of the Vatican to the clause
| regarding religious teaching in the
! public schools, saying that Judge
| Taft's instructions prevent further
| discussion of the matter. 1t also calls
the attention of Cardinal Rampolla to
the sixteenth section of the genera
law for Philippine Schools, copy OF
which is enclosed.
The note is accompanied by the kind
of contract which Judge Taft pro-
| poses will be signed