New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-19

structure would topple over" The number of
Spanish troops in the Philippines did not ex-
coed 5000 until the revolution. The tenure of
Office of the friar curate was permanent. Once
settled In parish, a priest usually continued
there until approximation. He was, there
fore. constant political factor for generation.
OF the four great orders. one. the Franciscans,
was not permitted to own property with the e@-
ception of converts and schools This was not
true of the other three. They owned valuable
property In Manila and had money to loan. But
the chief property of these orders in agri-
cultural lands The total amount owned was
approximately 100000 acres. This land was
usually rented on shares in small holdings
Leases were given for three years, and no as
signment was permitted without the consent OF
the order. Tenancy usually continued IN the
same family and the tenant right seems some
times to have been considered valuable. During
the revolutionary period the friars did not at
tempt TO collect rents from the persons occupy
ing their lands. On the other hand, agents OF
the insurgents. claiming title by virtue of con-
hscstion acts Of the so-calleG Malolos govern
ment from, time TO time made collections from
the tenants.
AS stated in the report Of the Philippine Com
mission. this was not a religious question. The
Philippine people love the Catholic Church. The
solemnity and grandeur Of its ceremonies appeal
most strongly to their religious motives. and II
may be doubteI whether there is any country
in the world in which the people have more
profound attachment to their church than in
the Philippines. The feeling against the friars
was solely political. for they were to the Fill
pinos the embodiment Of all in the Spanish rule
that was oppressive.
The provincials OF the orders were understood
in their evidence given before the commission
to intimate willingness to sell their agricult-
ural holdings if a satisfactory price should be
paid for the same. This plan of solving cues
ton which was not created, but inherited from
the former sovereignty Of the Philippines, be
came a subject of careful consideration both
on the part of the gov eminent at Manila and
Washington, and by the Church authorities az
Rome and in the Philippines 1t was the ex-
pressed desire Of the Filipino people that these
lands be opened for settlement. 1t was the
avowed purpose of the government Of the United
States to deprive no person, corporation or or
der of any property without their consent and
for value received. The question was new. conf
plicated and d delicate one to handle. and in
unskilled hands might have become extremely
serious.
Fortunately the government had full conf
denCe in the wisdom of the Church. ana the
Church was convinced that the government de-
sired to do what right in the matter, tax
ing in account the desires of the Philippine peo-
Pile the rights of the orders and the principles
When the Civil Governor Of the Philippines,
William II. Taft. in this country in 1907
and about to return to his post of duty, he was
instructed by the Secretary of War TO return by
way of Rome and ascertain what Church au-
thorities had power to negotiate and determine
upon sale of the lands of the religious orders
i'm the Philippines. He advised that any
NEGOTIATION were to be subject 10 the granting
of power by Congress to follow the negotiations
by binding action
The negotiations in Rome were carried on in
the best Of spirit on both sides, and after much
progress had been made Governor Taft pro-
ceeded on his voyage to Manila, with the under
standing that Rome would send to the Philip
mines some one with authority TO continue and
close I'D the business. Accordingly NJ. Guidi
was appointed by the Holy See and proceeded
to Manila. and, after prolonged investigation, an
agreement was reached whereby the ecclesias-
teal orders agreed to sell their lands for the
sum of S7.350,000.
Ii is the purpose of the Philippine govern
ment to resell these Church lands in small hold
ings giving preference TO the present occupants.
and at a price that viii simply cover the cost
Of purchase In this way the great estates pass
into the hands of the small farmers. who will
be able to buy and pay for their homes and
farms out of the profits arising from the cult
walton thereof This is a happy solution of a
perplexing question. and reflects credit upon all
persons interested. The Secretary of War and
Governor Taft have done many things for the
we'll being of the islands, but none of them are
so important as this happy solution Of the friar
question.