Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-31
tempt to return 1t Is quite likely that the
result would be disturbance and riot"
+ Acquisition Of the Lands.

tempt to return 1t Is quite likely that the
result would be disturbance and riot"
/ Acquisition Of the Lands.
During the course of time by cession from
the government, by legacy, by purchase by
occupation and by other means the four re-
ligious orders named. consisting entirely OF
Spanfards, because native Filipinos were
not admitted to the orders. obtained pos
session Of about 100000 acres of the best
of which are situated near the city of Ma
Mia and $4,000 acres in the peighboring
province Of Cavite. Without going into de-
tail. 1t Is significant fact that every gen.
eral insurrectfon In the islands during the
last century began in Cavtte province and
was directly due to the tyranny and cruelty
to their immortality and treatment of the
people you can send for q printed report Of
the committee on Philippines OF the United
States Senate. which made an Investigation
to the revolution Of 1895 and the causes
which provoked 1t. 1t Is sufficient to say
that after the Spanish troops were with
plantations even to collect the rents from
their tenants. which have remained unpaid
for seven years.
rectly under tho supervision OF the friars.
and ameng them were the most productive
and profitable In the archipelago. But the
greater part of the lands were leased to
-
occupy and cultivate them. and with whom
the government will be compelled to deal
when 1t obtains title to the property. Gov
time to the inquiry, is Of the opinion that
the titles of the friars to most of the lands
are good. He says there are no better titles
in all the islands, but considerable trouble
and litigation Is anticipated before securing
possession because the tenants are Ignorant,
exceedingly hostile to. their former land
lords and have been permitted to remain IN
knA On
some OF them are putting In claims OF own
ership which will be quietly submitted to the
courts. There Is no intention on the part
Of the government to attempt to collect ar
rears Of rents. Nothing was said on that
subject in the negotiations Tor the sale.
Whatever arrears there are peiong 70 the
friars. who can take sucn steps as they oe-
sire to recover them.
The terms Of the trade having been ar
ranged. the lands are now being Identified
and surveyed and the titles examined. Tho
rn,arnInent will accept nothing and pay
for nothing without good title
The Negotiations.
The negotiations were conducted person.
alIv nv Governor Taft and Commissioner
smith. secretary Of education and Justice,
who is himself Catholic. on the part of
the government and Mgr. Guidi. the apos-
toUc lerate who was sent from Rome for
this purpose, assisted by three attorneys
representing the Franciscans. Recoletos
and AuguStinianS. ana dominican monk
who has great business and legal ability.
When Mgr. Guidi first came here he met
with considerable opposition and other dim-
culties After the Spanish surrender and
while the peace commissioners were sitting
at Paris, the Franciscahs. Recoletos ana
sAugustinians. fearing that their property
would be conhscated. hurriedly conveyed
their titles to lay trustees and attorneys
and to fictitious corporations which were
organized for that purpose. SO when MGr
GIidi called upon them for an accounting
they denied having any lands or other asn-
ever were open and candid In all their deal
ings and made q full and accurate state
ment of their possessions. The other orders
resented the interference OF the Vatican In
their affairs. The failure Of Governor Taft's
efforts to secure settlement In Rome In
1902 was due to a similar attitude on the
part OF the supcriors OF the several orders
these To console and crafty them the
negotiations were transferred to Manila and
Mgr. Guidi was sent over to conduct them.
He Is q man OF great ability. tact shrewd-
ness and determination. and has had un-
usual experience in such affafrH He settled
aimilar complications in Brazil after the
overthrow of the empire and the disestab-
llshment OF the church there. and made
terms with the republic that were satisfac
mission with equal success in E:cuidor after
the liberal party obtained possessi,n Of that
government and expelled the monks and
confscated their property. At Manila he
duty With remarkable skin and complete
success. It has taken long sime. but his
patience was equal to his determination,
and he has never yielded an iOta or failed
to carry out single Item In his INSTRUCT
lions. s. \.
Hs finally- succeeded in SECURING an In
ventory Of the property owned BY the friars