“His holiness, the Pope, can not banish them and thus leave the field clear for you, unless they can be remunerated for the lands they hold—not the churches, which belong to Rome, but the lands, which belong to the friars. It is a matter of justice to pay them for their property, and it would be of inestimable benefit to the United States to get rid of this troublesome element.”
“I understand the ground on which these churches were built belonged to the Spanish government, and that the government contributed considerable cash besides toward their erection. This being the case, the churches will belong to the United States after we shall have acquired the Philippines, and you would owe the federal government for them.”
“If the Spanish government gave the lands and donations to the church they ceased to belong to Spain. You Americans would not claim again land that had been patented to settlers. The churches belong to Rome, where all titles to church property are vested. You will have to settle with Rome for them. The land belongs to the friars, who, as agents of Spain, developed the country and paid for the land. You will have to settle with the friars for them if you would banish that troublesome element.”
“The Malalos convention declared them fortified to the Philippine republic.”
“Can you recognize that republic? You know you dare not do it.”
Daft understood that; after a pause he inquired.
“What are the lands worth?”
“They have not been appraised, but I would estimate their value at from twelve to fifteen millions of American money.”
“It seems to me pretty high.”
“On the contrary, it is reasonable, considering the cost it would be to America to settle the trouble with the friars still here.”