The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-13
CHURCH PROPERTY AT MANILA
SETTLEMENT or 4 DISPUTE On
THE QUESTION or TITLES.
The Church ReIinquishes to the Government
q Large Area OF land I'm and Near
Manila That VIII Have High Value for
Building p n AsDses rs City Develops.

I, WASHING ToN, July 12.-The Var Depart
ment to-day announced that an agreement
had been reached between the Secretary
Of War, on behalf of the Government OF the
Philippines, and representatives Of the
Catholic Church in the islands regarding the
question of titles to valuable property in
and near the city OF Manila. The matter
has been in controversy for a long time. and
the agreement will obviate prolonged liti-
cation, which was threatened.
The most important of the properties in
volved in the dispute now settled is the
hospital and foundation of San Lazaro,
valued at 81 900. 900. and including beside
the hospital. church and cemetery a large
area of unoccupied land. which will nave a
high value for building purposes as the city
develops. The active negotiations have
been conducted by Gen. Clarence Edwards
and Major Frank Mcintyre Of the Bureau
of Insular Affairs. representing the Philip
pine Government. and F.. j. Wade of st.
Louis and Archbishop Harry Of the Philip
pines Archdiocese, representing the Church.
The Spanish Filipino Bank came into the
settlement, because a majority Of the stock
is controlled by the Church.
The agreement reached in regard to the
landed properties il that the Church is to
take and possess in absolute title the Hos
pital Of San Jose, the Hospital of San Juan
de Dios, the College Of San Jose the Hospital
Of Sal jose in Cavite. and the College Of
Santa Isabella. The Church ~relinquishes
TO the Government all claims on the estates
Of Santa Potenciana, or the hospital and
foundation Of San Lazaro, except about
I25 acres.
The property awarded to the Church
-. ILL., He ~
San jose was founded in laoi by the legacy
Of Senior Rodriguez FiRueroa, which pro-
vided for the establishment Of a college
for the Christian education OF sons OF
Spaniards, and that IL should be free from
ecclesiastical domination, but conducted
under the supervision Of the Jesuits. When
the Jesuits we're driven from the islands
the King OF Spain placed the institution
under the Dominican Order, which con-
tinued its supervision until the American
occupation.
The question whether the Government
or the Church Ia to administer the property
il pending in the Supreme Court OF the
Philippines. but n decree will be- entered
under the terms Of the present agreement.
The property ia valued at S5OO.OO. The
other properties involved and their values
are: Hospital Of San Jose $500 600; Hospital
of San Jose in Cavite. S88 900; College OF
Santa Isabella. 500. 600; estate and hospital
Of San Juan de Dios, 81 100000.
Under the terms Of the agreement in
regard to the bank the claims to exclusive
privileges and to note issues beyond the
amount approved by the American Govern
ment are waived and abandoned, but certain
other important privileges are secured
to the bank The circulation to be allowed
is twice the amount of the capital of the
bank, 4OO. 900 pesos. representing capital
and surplus. and 600. 900 pesos, secured by
deposit of bonds and stocks. The agree
ment is likely to put an end to the uncer-
tainty regarding the legal status OF the bank.
The approval Of the Philippines Commits
sion already has beer obtained to the essen
tial features Of the agreement, and the
Church has also concurred.