THE VATICAN AND THE PHILIPPINES.
According to a despatch from Rome, when the pope received his legate, Monsignor Sbarretti, before the departure of the latter for the Philippines the other day, he gave him very explicit instructions as to working in harmony with the American plan of settling the question of the friar's lands. This confirms previous statements that the friar's lands, so called, are regarded by our government as the property of the Roman Catholic Church. The despatch also indicates that the lands are to be bought of the church authorities, and that the objectionable Dominican friars are to be withdrawn. It was certainly most expedient to get the papal sanction for any just measure the commission might recommend, and that sanction has been given so promptly that the problem will be more easily solved.—Christian Work.