The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-04
PURCHASE OF THEIR LANDS
Note to Vatican Setting Forth
 the Terms.
All Friars of the Four Orders in tha Islands Must Withdraw in Two Years and Re-
 turn No More.

Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands, today received long cable message from Secretary Root containing the depart ment's instructions concerning the ncts relating to the disposition of the friars' lands in the islands which was drawn up here Tuesday and this afternoon Majer Porter delivered the note to Cardinal RampoIla, the papal Secretary of State.
 Governor Taft was gratiled on learn ing from the same message that the Phil- ippine civil bill had become law.
 Major Porter delivered the note person. ally to Cardinal Rampolia, who conversed cordially with him at some length. ex- pressing the hope that the negotiations would be concluded in time to allow Judge Taft to leave Rome July B.
 The Pope read the original note which was immediately manifolded for the bene- fit of the committee of cardinals. having charge of the matter. The note covers fourteen typewriter pages.
 Judge TafFs Note.
 It begins with acknowledging the Vati- cans note of June 21, and says he (Judgs Taft) is pleased that the Vatican approv- ed of the sending to Rome of representa- lives of the President with the object of arriving at a satisfactory agreement of the questions in dispute and to see that the Vatican is in harmony with Secretary Root, although on one of the important questions. namely, that as to the religious orders, there appears to be a difference regarding methods to be adopted in order to rmove the admitted difficulty.
 Answering the Vaticans note promising to have the new apostolic delegate at Ma nila settle the question of religious orders. Judge Taft remarked:
 Thus would be lost the advantages ex~ pected from direct contract clearly de- termining the principal lines upon which cooperation between the state and church may be assaured:
 The note proposes: 'The purchase of the land of the Dominlcans and Augus- tinians 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 power-say the British government.
 The arbftrators to meet in Manila no later than January 1, 1903, examine wit resses and visit the land.
 The judgment of the majority to be oc- cepted. yTM3
 The price to be paid in Mexican dol- lars, one-third immediately, third in
  months, with interest 1-2 per cent.
 Payment to be made to a person chos- en by the Vatican.
 'The former Spanish crown lands now iE possession of the American govern ment on which there are ecclesiastical buildings are to be held over to an ec- clesiastical officer to be appointed by tho Vatican.
 "The courts to decide the land owned by the Church but claimed by the muni- cipalities.
 Tt is hoped that when an apostolic del- egate competent to represent the Holy Sec in the Philippines is named, he will be able to decide which property used for charitable or educational institutions belongs to the Church and which to the State.
 Cases of disagreement shall be sub mitted to the arbitration of the same arhitrators who shall also decide the San Jose Philippine case now pending before the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
 "The United States to pay an indem- nity for the buildings used by the Amer ican troops. but nothing is to be paid un- til the title deeds are in the hands of the Philippine government.
 All friars of the four orders shall withdraw within two years from the firsr payment. A small number are to con- tinue during that time to look after the schools and university, but all of them must go, half during nine months from the first payment and half eighteen months later, not including friars who have not raised the hostility of the na- tives and who remained in their parishes after the revolution of 1898 till now, ex- cept those in Manila. No Spanish frtars may be substituted for those withdrawn
 Rule of Eriars Ended.
 The churches. schools and universities may be directed by Spanish clergy or ors ders other than those withdrawn or by clergy of the same orders who are not Spanish. It is necessary to convince the Filipinos that the rule of the Spanish friars is finished
 The note reminds the vatican that the orders still publish a paper in Manila which Is anti-American and anti-Philip- pine, but pro-Spanish, and that the orders possess property in Manila to the value of nearly six million Mexican dollars while that of the Catholic Church Is only valued at three and half million Mext- can dollars.
 This is very significant, as the orders have also a large capital at interest be- sides the land which 1t is now proposed the government should purchase.
 In order to reach the desired object the best tninB IS 10 prevent any hiSAhoSA OA the four withdrawing orders. without dis tinction of nationality, from being sent to the islands. Nothing will so calm the people and produce harmony between the church and government than that the friars shall leave at a fixed date. snail not return and shall not exercise any influence from Manila over the priests in the parishes. In view of these facts 1t IS hoped that the vatican will accept the 
 The note ends with calling the attention of the vatican to the clause regarding religious teaching in the public schools, saving that Judge Tafts instructions pre- vent further discussion of the matter. It also calls the attention of Cardinal to the sixteenth section Of the general law for Philippine schools, a copy of which is enclosed The note IS ac- companied by the kind of contract which Judge Taft proposes to sisn.