The Vatican has not succeeded in its negotiations with Washington
about the Philippines. The friars of the great Orders, who have large property there, are detested by the Filipinos, and the American Government were anxious that they should be withdrawn. They offered extravagantly liberal terms, and it seemed at first as if they would be accepted; but a Committee of Cardinals appointed to examine the affair contained a majority of friars, and the clause pledg- ing the Papacy to their withdrawal was rejected as implying a slur upon the Orders. The American Commissioner, Mr. Taft, was immediately withdrawn, and it is believed that the American Government will act without further consideration for Roman feeling. The friars, in fact, will be deported as dangerous to the restoration of order in the islands, and will receive only the bare value of their property. The belief in the Vatican is that the friars have a right under the Treaty of Paris to "pursue their occupation " ; but it is most unlikely that Senor Sagasta, who is pledged to restrain the Orders at home, will engage in a diplomatic quarrel for their sake, while in America itself it is held as dogma that every Church in an American possession must be finally disestablished. The only feeling in favour of the Orders will be as to their compensation.
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