Arizona republican., 1903-07-25
PHoENIx, ARIZONA, JULY 25, 1903.
American Interest in the PapaI Sue
 CeSSiOn.

CessiOn.
 There are, of course, many millions of faithful Catholics in the United States, who are profoundly interested in the outcome of the sacred conclave, but for the first time in cur history the American government has interests which could be affected by the choice of the new pope. It is possible for the satisfactory solution of the friar prob lem in the Philippines to be hastened or retarded. or, in fact, defeated, by Leo the Thirteenth's successor. The complex problem of the friars has been greatly simplfied, SC far, by the kind ly sympathy of the late pope for the United States and for our national aspirations. which he understood so well. Under his guidance, the vatican authoriti,s fell in with the policy of the Roosevelt administration.
 This policy. in brief, is not to ex- pei the friars or otherwise treat them hershly. but, CD to put an end to all control by the religious orders in the archipelago; @ to purchase the i'm mense real estate holdings of the friars at a fair price, and give these lands to native settlers under. proper conditions; (3) to encourage in every way possible the emigration of Amer. ican priests to the islands. so that the Catholic Filipinos may have the min istrations of priests who are in sympa- thy with American institutions and understand American ways. It was the policy Of the great pontiff to CO., operate with the American govern ment in carrying out this policy. It has been understood that the vatican would see to the peaceable removal of the friars 10 some other part of the world. and would look with favor up- on the idea of placing in the Philip pines young priests who could per form an important part in promoting friendly relations between the natives and Americans.
 In pursuance of the understanding reached with the vatican by Governor Taft, representative of the holy see was sent to the islands for the pur- pose of making up a schedule of the fTiars' properties and arriving at a tentative estimate of value It has been represented that this representa- tive has not proceeded with the diH- gence that he should, and that but little has been accomplished so far in the great work committed to him. It is charged that the influence of the frlars has been successfully exerted to delay a settlement. Had Leo XIII lived. the joint policy agreed upon between him an the administration would have been carried out, regard less of any temporary success of the fri2rs in postponing conclusions, for the great and holy statesman who is to be laid at rest this evening saw, as all unprejudiced observers see, that the religious and material welfare of the Filipinos will be aided by the elimination of the friars from the situation. and that when the friars are gone one of the chief grievances of the natives will have disappeared.
 It becomes an important question in this country. therefore, whether the next pope is to be a man of broad sta1esmarship, and without prejudices. at least against this country Should the choice of the concIave fall upon Cardinal Rampolla, the present papal secretary of state. it is reasonable to suppose that there would be no change in the policies which distinguished the government of the church under his illustrious chief. For sixteen years RampOlla was the official right hand of the holy father, and they were in complete accord. It is not probable, however. that American interests would suffer in the slightest were the election to go to any of the cardinals who have been especially prominent in the papal government. Indeed, were the elder of the Vannutelli brothers Cardinal Serafino-to be elected, we policy of friendship for the United States quite as ardently as did his pre- decessor who loved him so we'll And should the venerable Cardinal Gotti, the present prefect of the propaganda or "red pope" be placed upon the throne of St. Peter we should still have a warm friend. The son of a common dock laborer. Cardinal Gottl