The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
SETTLEMENT OF THE FRIARy
LANDS QUESTION.

The successful conclusion of the negotia-
lions for the sale Of the friars' lands In the
Philippines is an event Of great Importance.
The problem has been one Of the most diff
cult that confronted the government after
our acquisition Of the Philippines. The friars
were secret fomenters of rebellion, and after
hostilities ceased they were a bar to prog
ress. AS they were hated by the people,
the question of getting rid Of them became
an important one The idea of confscating
their large land holdings, many of which
were occupied by Filipinos as tenants, was
not to be thought of. That would have
been unjust and dishonest. 1t was finally
decided to try and buy them out.
In July, 1902, on the recommendation Of
the Philippine Commission, a clause was
inserted in the Philippine government bill
by Congress. authorizing the commission
to issue bonds for the purchase of the lands,
and In May last Governor Taft was in
structed by the secretary of to go to
Rome and enter into negotiations with the
Holy See for the sale of the lands and the
withdrawal of the friars from the islands.
Governor Taft were the purchase of all the
agricultural lands held by the friars at a
price to be determined by an arbitration
tribunal. to be appointed by the President
of the United States and the Pope; the
land and Enclosures occupied by churches
ties; the agricultural lands to be conveyed
on easy terms to the tenants and the friars
to leave the islands. Negotiations on this
line between Governor Taft and the apos-
| tolic delegate. Archbishop Guidi. were be-
gun at Manila in November, 1902, and have
just been completed
The contract provides for the purchase
of 10000 acres for s7.25o.OOo. The friars
originally asked sl5oOo,OOO. but came down
to the price named. A dispatch from Wash
ington gives further particulars:
Provision it is understood, is made for
the relation between the tenantry and
state government, which marks an advance
even upon the land tenure system OF Ire
land. Thus, for instance. 1t is in contem-
plation TO sell this vast area of land pur-
chased from the friars' orders for the bene-
nit of the Filipinos themselves; for the
money Will go into the common treasury.
Payment will be made by bonds either
turned over directly to the frfars sold
by the Philippine government at the best
price obtainable, the proceeds being given
to the orders. The lands are to be sold, as
far as possible. to the tenants who I've on
them now. and realizing that few of the
Filipinos have any considerable sums OF
money laid by, the Philippine government
proposes to allow them to buy the lands on
longtime payments, at a very moderate
rate of interest on the deferred payments.
The successful conclusion of this negotia-
ton is important victory for American
diplomacy, though mucn credit is due also
to the tact and good temper shown by the
Catholic Church authorities. The settle
ment removes a serious cause of friction
and bar to progress in the Philippines. and
by making a large number of Filipinos land
| owners will contribute materially to the
stability of the island government. The
settlement is said to give great satisfac-
| ton at Rome, and it will stand in history
as a conspicuous illustration of the pro-
gressive and benefcent influence of Ameri-
| can diplomacy.