Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-07-14

ceeds to the payment OF the bonds. Is
the Philippine government limited TO
the sale OF forty acres 10 any one per-
son? That Is the disputed question.
, The attorney general of the Philip
pines, the attorney general of the
: United States and other good lawyers
hold that the limitation applies only to
the lands acquired by the United States
from Spain and not TO the friar lands,
which were purchased by the Philip
pines with their own money. Mr.. Mar
tin takes a different view. So does
Moorield Story of Boston. Personally
i have expressed no opinion and shall
not until the committee reports"
Whatever may be the merits or the
dement's Of Mr.. Martins charges, it Is
significant that Secretary Of War Dick
inson and General Edwards, chief Of
the bureau Of insular affairs, have
started for the Philippines to make a
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 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
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 a
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 confiscation 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.