Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-11-15
Eriars' Lands Paid for Out Of InSular
Treasury
RE BEING SOLD TO TENANTS
Action Necessary to Prevent Second
Uprising of Natives.
PROBLEMS DIFFICULT TO SOLVE
Union of Church and state Under
Former Government Presented
New Issues, which Were
Fairly Met.


in its morning edition will print the fol-
lowing correspondence which passed be-
tween Rev Magnus Larson, pastor of the
Swedish Baptist church of this city, and
Judge william H. Taft. The letter from
Mr. Larson was directed to Judge Taft
through the republican headquarters in st.
Paul under date of September 26 last, and
the answer by Judge Taft was dated Gin
cinnati, o., October last Neither of the
letters have heretofore been made public.
The letter of Rev. Mr.. Larson to Judge
Taft says:
Dear Sir: Pardon few questions from
a humble st. Paul preacher. 1 wish, how
ever, first of all to state that ] have been
an admirer of President Roosevelt and have
considered him in many respects an ideal
president Notwithstanding this, 1t seems
to me that he has put you in an en-
barrassng position when taking upon him
self TO be your protector and telling the
people of this country what you are and
what you will be.
The questions wish to ask concern your
work in the Philippine islands, and your
attitude towards the Catholic church. Was
1t on your recommendation that N0O000O
was paid to the Catholic church out Of the
United States treasury, and that the pope
was consulted regarding this deal? Did
such a deal voice the sentiment Of the
Fiipinos? Was the uprising in the Philip
pines mostly against the Spanish govern
ment, against the Catholic frisrs?
Catholics in Philippines.
"In speech in New York some time ago
you made a plea for the Roman Catholic
church in the Philippines, making the state
ment that the church was very poor. Is 1t
not true that half the population, or 100000
people, are not Roman Catholics?
IL understand that the present governor
is a Catholic.
Are you aware of the attitude he is
taking against Protestants, especially the
teachers OF the public schools. who are
forbidden to take any interest in any Prot
estant work. such as teaching in Sunday
schools taking part In religious serv-
ices?
Have not thousands of dollars been paid
to friars for libraries they have claimed TO
have burned? Is 1t your conviction and
policy that Catholic dignitaries and the
Catholic church should have greater con-
sideratlon from a public official and es-
pecially from the chief executive OF our
nation than any other recognized religious
body?
"The questions are asked in all sincerity
with a view to get just and right in my
political attitude.
81 have not one word TO say against the
Catholic church or any other, denomination.
/ but I do contend that the one shall not
have any more favors than the other. AL
\ though / am at present confined to the
hospital, l have decided to use my influ-
| ence both with voice and pen In favor of
the man who is ready and willing to up
! hold, protect and promulgate the true spirit
Of our constitution and religious as we'll as
| comme rcial, industrial and social orders.
The Swedish Americans are not so great
In number, but they are loyal citizens and
l am quite sure they will be heard from
in the coming national election.
This letter is not written for the pur-
pose of making you believe that the writer
is person who has some wonderful In
fluence that would be a great vote
getter for any political party. This is
simply q personal letter-I have no OBJ
lection TO making It. public-and IL you
choose to answer we'll and good, II not ]
take It for granted that you do not care
to go on record concerning tho question,
and in any event am answered. l am not
a politician. but am intensely interested
in the welfare OF our country. and shall
/ ltnu all the mIlueHCt anu power I1dI
have to see men elected to office who shall
feel the responsibility of the confidence
placed in them by a sovereign people. With
greatest respect, am, very truly yours
"MAGNUs LARSON,
Pastor OF the Swedish Baptist Church, St
Paul, Mimi"
Answer of Judge Taft.
Judge Tafts answer follows: MY Dear
! 81. %
You ask me whether 100000 were paid
TO the Catholic church out OF the United
States treasury. on my recommendation.
reply that II was not. The friars' agri
cultural lands in the Philippines. 425Cct
acres, or about that amount were pur,
, chased from the corporation formed by tn,
, three orders Of the Frisrs in the Phillip
! pines. and the money was paid from bondl
issued by the Philippine government under
the authority OF congress, and is a charg,
upon the Philippine islands. The pur
chase was approved by the Filipinos.
"The uprising in the Philippines wal
against the Spanish government. and tn,
Spanish friars, whom the government uset
as policemen in attempting to stamp ou
the sedition and political discussion among
the F1lipinos.
"In a speech in New York ] did not maxi
: plea for the Roman Catholic church Il
the Philippines, except to say this; Tha
the influence OF all the churches I'm tn
Philippines was necessary for the uplifting
OF the people, and therefore. that every
: one would desire the prosperity of all tn
churches. and that as the Roman Catholi
I church had the largest following. everyone
Protestants OF Catholics. would desire IL
prosperity; that It was In a deplorsbl
b condition due 10 the change in tn
situation In which the government pai
its expenses 20 one IN which It was boun.
= to look to its parishioners for support an
= that they were in the habit OF deriving
benefit from the church and not contribut
ing TO it. Il made difficult situation 10
: the Roman church.
Religion OF FfliDinOa.
q 1T is not true that half OF the popula