New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-13
CHURCH DISPUTE ENDED
TAFT MAKES AGREEMENT.
Controuersy OUer Catholic Property
in Philippines Settled.


Washington, July 12.-Secretary Taft has eff
fected settlement of the remaining and most
difficult problems involved in the separation of
Church and State in the Philippines. and by an
agreement reached with Archbishop Harry, of
Manila, and Festus J. Wade. financial repre-
sentative of the Archbishop, has finally set at
rest all controversy the title to numerous
valuable quasi-public properties, thus conclud-
ing to the eminent satisfaction Of all concerned
the delicate negotiations which as Governor
General of the Philippines he undertook at the
Vatican nearly six years ago.
The settlement, formal announcement of
which was made tod day, involves real property
with an estimated value of 100000 and equi-
ties of incaculable value. Notable among the
latter is the exclusive right granted 10 the Span
sh-Filpino Bank by the Spanish crown to is
sue banknotes not subject to taxation to the
amount of three times its capital stock. The
fact that large part of the stock of this bank
Is held by the religious orders and by members
of the Catholic Church brought it within the
scope of the negotiations just concluded, and
the material curtailment of the monopoly for
merly enjoyed by the bank constitutes an inn
portant part of the advantage obtained by the
Secretary for the Philippine government
In the division of real property the Philippine
government acquires full title to and control
of the foundation Of the hospital of San Lazare.
with the exception of the ground occupied by
the cemetery and about one hundred and TWEEN
ty-fve acres in addition. The total value OF the
San Lazare property which includes much Valu-
able unoccupied land, is estimated at Sl,OoO.OOO
The Philippine government also acquires all
title to the state of Santa Potenciana.
The exclusive right of the Spanish Filipino
Bank 10 issue notes until 1928 to amount
equal to three times its capital stock is cur
tailed TO non-exclusive right to issue notes to
the amount of S., 0000-the sum of its capital
stock and surplus, and 100000, to be secured
by the deposit of approved stocks and bonds
while hereafter the bank is TO be subject to such
lon % Oh n
national bank act of the United States.
Provision is also made for a further Issue of
notes in the event that the bank shall! increase
it's capital stock, but with a maximum limita-
ton OF 81 800 900. The entire circulation Will be
subject 10 a tax of one-half Of per cent year,
The Church obtains title to and control OF the
hospital of San Jose valued at 100000; the
hospital OF San Jose in Cavite, valued at $66OOJ;
the estate, hospital and other properties of the
College of Santa Isabella, valued at SlOOOoo;
the estate and hospital OF San Juan de Dios,
valued at 100000 and the College OF san
Jose. valued al 100000
The grants to the Church by the Spanish
Crown of the properties involved in this contro-
versy, followed in some instances by a partial
reversOn to the crown, and again by conversion
to certain religious orders Of the Church, con-
stituted a seemingly hopeless tangle which made
the results of adjudication by the courts prob
lematical. and in fact Secretary Taft. in let
ter to the President, advised the Executive that
after a careful examination OF the claims OF the
Philippine government and of the Church, lie
was disposed 10 believe that, even after almost
endless and costly litigation. the government
would fare worse than under the provisions OF
the agreement just reached. This settlement
disposes Of the last OF the troublesome problems
growing out of the transfer of the frars' lands
and the endeaYOr to fix title TO all the eeemosy-
nary educational and quasi-public institutions
which the Church controlled when the Philip
pines were transferred TO the United States.
The College of San Jose was founded in I6OI
largely with legacy by Sehor Rodriguez FL
guero which provided for the establishment OF
a college for the Christian education of the sons
l Of Spaniards in the Philippine Islands. It
provided that the school should be free from
ecclesiastical domination, but should be car
ried on under the direction and supervision OF
the Order Of Jesuits. When the Jesuits were
| driven from the islands the institution was
placed by the King of Spain under the direction
| Of the Dominican order. where It remained un-
| til the American occupation. The college is
| TO be given into the possession Of the Arch
bishop Of Manila for the specific purpose Of It's
| foundation
| The hospital of san Juan de Dos Is one Of the
Oldest in the Philippine Islands. having been
| founded in 1877 by Franciscan monk under
| authority from the King OF Spain, by contribu-
tons obtained from the public. The buildings
| Of the hospital destroyed by the earth
quake Of 1868 and. its finances being seriously
| involved. the government assumed control Of
! the hospital through the Franciscan friars by
| whom ii Is still administered
| In the settlement Of the questions growing
| out Of the Spanish Filipino Bank franchise Sec
| rotary Taft had the assistance Of Charles A.
| Conant Jeremiah w. jerks and z. w. KEN
| rnerer while Festus J. Wade represented the
| Archbishop Of Manila. The notes Of this bank,
| efter January ], viii constitute preferred lein
| on its assets and will be issued through the
| bureau OF insular affairs Of the War Depart
| ment, having the same character and appear
ance as the currency OF the United States.
| The agreement, by putting an end 10 the un-
| certainty regarding the legal status OF the bank
| will at once benefit the bank and terminate a
| controversy which might have dragged on for
! many years through the courts of the islands
The approval Of the Philippines Commission has
| already been obtained for the essential features
of the agreement and the new statutes Of the
bank have received the approval Of Festus J
Wade as the representative of Archbishop
Harry Mr.. Wade said to-day that the agree
nent was one Of the most fair and equitable
with which he had ever been connected and thai
he heartily appreciated the disposition Of the
War Department TO do justice to all parties anC
10 afford an opportunity for the unfettered de
veopment of the islands by the Introduction Of
new capital
CUBAN LANDS BOUGHT.