Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-23
Tho Land of the Eriars.

Now that an agreement has hnally
been arrived at between Governor Taft
and the friars In the Philippine Islands
the troublesome question as to their
lands promises to be settled in the near
future. There is little doubt that the
agreement will meet the approval OF
the War department and the resulting
transfer OF the title will follow in due
course of time. The sale Of the 400. 00C
acres of land by the friars to the
Philippine government will pave the
way for ownership and Improvement OF
the property by individuals, as it is the
intention Of the government to offer the
Hard for sale. The price said to have
been agreed upon is s7,250,000. Gov
ernor Taft had previously offered
Sc, G00, 900, while the friars had held out
for s15,O00,000, hut that was when they
thought the United States was easy
and could be plucked. Trey have
learned few things in the past few
years. The land in question is nearly
all improved, and includes some va!u-
able buildings.
The great appropriately of these fria,s
among the Filipinos, whom they have
robbed and oppressed for generations
constant drawback to the progress O.
| the country, and their Withdraw wa! from
the Philippines will be a great ster
| towards contentment among the
natives, and toward the completion Of
the civilization and christianiza ton o.
| the islands. Though being there in the
name Of religion. they have doubtless
| injured the Catholic church in the
Philippines in these later years more
than they have helped it, and when
they are replaced by American priests
or by others whom the church authori-
ties may see fit to send there, thing
will be vastly better for the church it
self, and for all concerned. The trouble
D
standing and with many confusing
con- piications, and the prospect OF it,.
/ settlement through the patience and
diplomacy Of Governor Taft is a mat
ter for general congratulation.
| To those who knew all the conditions
when the Philippines were annexed
collision before solution came seemed
inevitable. 1t attests equally tht
| wisdom Of the Vatican and the skill o
| Governor Taft and his associates thai
these thorny issues are settled. The
lands Of the friars, it is well to reman
| rs sound by just mon. They had boe,.
redeemed from the jungle. \ century
and more ago every plantation repre-
scented the advance of civilization. I'm
broken ownership existed for gene.-
atoms. lmpracticab.e and pernicious
as the old system had become, it had
once raised the islands from savagery.
given its inha bitants the arts of in
dus.ry, education and their faith and
rendered possible the beginnings OF
order.
Before pea &c could come an ecclesias-
Ave years the change from regular tc
secular priests. which elsewhere had
taken generations, had to be accom-
plished in a day. Americans had TO be
substituted for Spaniards. A fair bar
gain had to be reached on 400, 900 acre.
Of land. A new civil. religious ana
educational organization of the island
had to be created. The authorities at
Rome, could have made this infinitely
difficult. The American administration
might, by action like that taken in Italy
or France and coming in Spain. have
worked grave injustice. Both have
been wise. All rights have been
respected. The friars have had a
fair price. The one land and landlord
question in the Philippines, for all this
land was rented. has been eru.tably
solved. A breach and feud between th-
church and state has been avoided.
Our administration, the Vatican au-
thorities and the inhabitants OF the is
land are all satisfied.
The natural reluctance of Burke
Coclren 20 hold Office has at last been