The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1910-07-14

personal inquiry into the matter of the
sale Of the friar lands. Their subordi-
mates at Washington. in charge during |
their absence, observe policy Of strict |
neutrality. They have nothing to say.
being perfectly willing to await the re-
suit of the committees investigations.
Exploitation Long Expected.
When, a dozen years ago, the United
States acquired the Philippine archi-
pelago as the result of a brief but glo-
rious war against Spain loud mouthed
rumors were heard in the land to the
effect that the fertile acreage Of the
Filipino people would be exploited"
by American trust interests. Mr.. Taft
was sent to the islands and made such
a record as civil administrator that
he has become president Of the United
States. For twelve years the islands
have been ruled by Uncle Sam. who
made efforts honest and earnest to
prove that the prophets of exploitation
were but as sounding brass. Now the
cymbals have begun to tinkle. Vague
hints of the onslaught of the corporate
interests are heard. Congressman Mar
tin is by no means the only person In
official life who scents spoliation. The
fact that his fellows in congress got
distinct Whit of the aroma is evidenc-
ed by their vote to create the commit
tee Of inquiry.
| The friar lands of the archipelago
have been looked upon with gloating
eyes by certain interests in the Unit
ed States ever since Uncle Sam paid
Spain some millions Of dollars for
few thousand islands which had been
won in war. The settlement of the
problem of the friar lands was vexa-
tious and delicate. Somewhere be-
tween 100000 and 100000 acres was
the combined area of the lands held
by the four orders Of friars or monks.
For many years these lands had been
titled by tenants, many Of whom claim
ed ownership of the acres they occu-
pied. Prior to American occupation
there was much bloodshed over the
matter. Priests were slain or impris-
oned. Parish churches were closed for
lack of parish priests. The Filipino
natives rebelled.
Then came the United States into
authority. What about the friars' hold
ings? That was the ticklish problem.
Confscation was proposed, but the
United States has not been doing much
in the confscation line at any time
since the establishment of the nation.
The upshot was, after commissions
named by the pope and by the United
States government, that the friars
lands were purchased and made a part
Of the public domain.
Friar Lands Fertile.
These lands are fertile. 1t is said by
observers who have studied Filipino
agriculture that they are very choice
lands, capable Of producing more OF
the average than the other agriculture
areas Of the islands, acre for acre. Th'
policy of congress and the admln1stra
ton was to preserve and conserve thes'
lands, with the rest of the public do
main in the islands, for the Filipino
people, That is the understanding o
Mr.. Martin, who came to congress
!, years after the organic law was enact
!, ed It is the theory of many other cal
= nest conservators.
Congressman Martin believes tina
: not only the San Jose estate, but tn
- Isabella and the Calamba estates
which have been sold ostensibly to il
dividuals, in reality have been acquil
ed by agents of corporations.
The Calamba estate is historical
:. is within thirty miles of Manila b
~ rail and Is one of the richest section
- in the island of Luzon. The Philil
y pine revolution of 1896 resulted fro'
= the controversy between the frial
'e and the tenants over the ownership I
u this estate The Spaniards seize
v court martialed and shot Jose Rizs
Is perhaps the most noted Filipino Of tt
~ day. The Calamba estate was clair
= ed by the Rial family and their te
~ ants. Mr.. Martin AYERS that til
~ beautiful estate has passed into t
T. ownership Of the Dillingham; sugar
w terests Of Hawaii, (which Is to say
Il has passed into the hands Of the sug
trust"
Other Sales Criticised.
on Congressman Martin takes part
re- ular notice of the sale Of the Tala
d. tate to Frank W. Carpenter, execut
an secretary Of the Philippine govel
ST. ment He declares that the bureau
insular affairs, Notwithstanding tt
for the information was demanded, s,
err pressed the name Of the purchaser a
ity would not admit that the estate b
cts been sold at all. The Colorado G
gresham quotes a recent report fr
to the director of lands at Manila, in
Ihe Spouse to cable from Secretary
co. War Dickinson at the direction Of
) it house Of representatives, which
the dicates that Carpenter has an agl
hat ment for the. purchase Of the en-
to estate as rapidly as it becomes vacs
res, and he says the same report disclc
the fact that Dean G. Worcester, P