Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19
Why the Rome Negotiations
Did Not Succeed.
INTERESTING THEORY
SUGGESTION THAT THE VATICAN
EXPECTED SHARE OF MONEY.
The Orders Preferred That the Pur-
chase Price Be Paid at Manila
Direct to Them.

''The cause for the failure of the negotia-
tioUs between the pope and Gov. Taft for
the disposition of the friars lands can be
readily explained"
This statement was made to a Star
porter today by a man well known in
Washington. who lately returned from
foreign trip embracing long stay in Rome
and who more recently has been in commu-
nication with Catholic dignitaries in the
eternal city.
1T will be observed that the cable dis
patches today represent the pope as being
highly displeased at the failure Of the
negotiations. Naturally he is disappointed,
as 1t is well known that the pope and his
immediate official household were deli hted
at the prospect Of realizing $S,OOOOO0 or
S1O.ooo,000 on the friars' lands.
The commission of cardinals who dealt
with Gov. Taft's proposals consisted of one
representing the pope and one each for the
different orders of the church holding lands
in the Philippines. The proposition was to
pay the money, III three installments. bear
ing interest. TO authorities to be designated
by the pope.
a Question Of Benefciaries.
THE representatives Of the orders were
opposed to that plan. They preferred to set
the negotiations adrift, to be picked up
later in the Philippines. where payment Of
the moneys 10 the orders direct could be
made. They did not want the payments 20
go through the papal treasury.
1T Is well known that the revenues of
the pope have materially decreased within
the past two years, and that at this time
his treasury Is depleted. The United States,
the largest contributor to Peters Pence
which supported the. pope's privy purse,
does not send as much money now. as for
meTly- This is asCribed to waning interest,
due to the asCendancy of foreign methods
over 'AmeriCanism' as 1t Is known. Ire
land, the next largest contributor has been
heavily taxed with the rest of the British
empire to sustain the BOer war and her
contributions have fallen off.
Papal Treasury Depressed.
In France the establishment of rigorous
surveillance Of the monasuc orders has set
back the cause Of the church considerably,
driven many monks out of the republic and
pulled down the sum total of the contri-
buttons. In other countries Of Europe in
dustrial depression has operated to the
same end. the result being that a condition
exists which causes the pope to hail with
delight any proposition seeming to bear
financial relief.
In what way his treasury would benefit
through the payment of money intended
TO compensate the mOnastic orders for loss
of their property Is a question not for dis
CusstOp outside OF the priyy councils of the
vatican. It is evident to my mind, how
ever, and IN accordance with latest authen-
tic reports received from Rome that the
jealousy Of the representatives of the
orders over the question of the payment of
the money was the underlying cause for
the failure
The Manila Negotiations.
No matter how the negotiations at Rome
end, even In the unlikely event that at the
last moment the Vatican officials should
close with the principal proposition ad-
Tanced by Gov. Taft, ii is believed here
that 1t will stin be necessary for the apos-
tolic delegate referred TO in Cardinal Ram
polla's notes. 10 go forward TO Manila in
the capacity or an appraiser of the friars'
properties
Monsignor BrOderick. private secretary to
Monsignor Sbaretti, called al the War De-
partment today and had a conference with
Secretary Root, the substance of which has
not been made public. Mgr. Broderick's s
principal, Mgr. Sbaretti, has been in Wash
ingtOn for many weeks.
he started from Rome preceded by q
declaration that he had been named as
archbishop at Manila, Dut when he reached
Washington on his way to the orient, he
was detained at the papal legation here
1t was the original understanding that in
his capacity of archbishop of Manila If
he was appointed to that post, he was to
negotiate directly with Governor Taft re-
specting church matters in the Philippines
including the friars lands question. He
was clearly greatly disappointed when he
learned in Washington that his plans were
TO be changed and that the negotiations
were to be conducted at Rome instead of
Manila.
The outcome at Rome. however. taken in
connection with Mgr. Brodericks call has
led to the belief that Mgr. SDaretti is after
all. 10 be archbishop of Manila. Az any
rate. IL is understood that he is to continue
his journey 10 the Philippines. and If he
does not ill the post mentioned. he may
still be named an apostolic delegate there
In view OF the experience he had in the
same line in adjusting the status OF the
Catholic Church properties in Cuba with
Governor Wood while he bishop OF
Cuba