The Washington herald., 1907-07-13
FIX CHURCH CLAIMS
Agreement Is Reached in
Philippine Controversy.
LANDED PROPERTY INVOLVED
Catholics VIII Take Hospitals and
Colleges, While Estate OF santa
POtenciana Is Reiinquished TO Gov
ernment - Spanish Filipino Bank
Secures Important Privileges.

The War Department yesterday an
nounced that an agreement had been
reached between the Secretary Of War, on
behalf Of the government Of the Philip
pines. and Representatives Of the Catholic
Church In the islands regarding the ques-
ton Of titles to valuable property in and
near the city Of Manila
The matter has been in controversy for
long time, and the agreement viii OBJ
viate prolonged litigation 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 S1,oo00o4 and including beside
the hospital. church. and cemetery, a
large area of uuoccupied land which will
have a high value for building purposes
as the city develops. The active negotia-
tions in the matter have been conducted
by Gen Clarence Edwards and Maj
Frank Mcintyre, of the Bureau Of Insular
Affairs, representing the Philippine gov
eminent, and +. J. Wade. of ST Louis,
and Archbishop Harry, representing the
church.
The Spanish-Filipjno Bank came into
the settlement because a majority Of the
stock is controlled by the church.
Church Gets Hospitals.
The agreement in regard to the landed
properties Is that the church is TO take
and possess in absolute title the hospi-
tai Of San Jose, he hospital Of San
Juan de Dios. the College Of san Jose.
the hospital OF San Jose, IN Cavite,
and the College OF Santa Isabella. The
church TelinQuishes 70 the government all
claims upon the estates Of Santa Poten-
ciana upon the the hospital and founda-
ton OF Santa Lazaro, except about Is
acres.
The property awarded 10 the church has
much historic interest The college Of
San Jose was founded in 1901 by the
legacy Of Senior Rodriguez Figureoa,
which provided for the establishment of
a college fer the Christian education OF
sons Of Spaniards, ard that it should be
free from ecclesiastical domination, but
conducted under the supervision Of the
JesWts. When the Jesuits were driven
from the islands. the King OF Spain
placed the institution under the D0mini-
can order. which continued lis super
vision until the American occupation. The
question whether the government or the
church is 20 administer the property is
pending in the Supreme Court Of the
Philippines. but a decree will be entered
under the terms Of the present agree
ment The property is valued al 500. 900.
Other Properties Involved.
The other properties involved and their
values are: Hospital of San Jose. $4,000.
Hospital OF san Jose in Cavite, SIS go:
College OF Santa Isabella. $1,000: estate
and hospital Of San Juan de Dios. a,000,
co.
Under the terms OF the agreement in
regard TO the bank, the claims 70 exclu-
sive privileges and 20 note issues beyond
the amount approved by the American
government are waived and abandoned.
bat certain other important privileges
are secured 10 the bank. The circulation
20 be allowed is twice the amount Of the
capital stock OF the bank. 10000 pesos.
representing capital and surplus. and
6oo,c09 pesos, secured by deposit Of bonds
and stocks.
The agreement is calculated 10 put an
end 70 the uncertainty regarding tho
legal status OF the bank. The approval OF
the Philippine Commission already has
been obtained 10 the essential features
Of the agreement and the church has
also concurred.