"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." "It seems to me you are faring pretty well, considering that you have restored to you the churches that were in revolt." "You will win with the friars gone, but there are a number of things that will have to be settled by arbitration after the war is over. You must act as America's representative to the Pope." Judge Daft started back in astonishment. "It is impossible. It is against the policy of the United States to recognize the temporal power of the Pope by sending an ambassador to the Vatican." "Nonsense. This war will make it necessary. You may disguise him under the name of agent, if you will, but a representative will become a necessity. It would be a big thing for you to be that representative. You must have your picture taken with the Pope." The boldness of the declaration again startled Judge Daft. "You do not know the temper of the American people. They would not stand for it." "It would give you two million Catholic votes and make your election as president an assured thing. It is big politics we are playing these days, and you might as well be in on it as anyone." "But can you make good?" "Didn't your national chairman declare that the only power that could save America from Socialism was the Catholic church? Did not the Catholic vote go to your present national executive, for the first time in history that the republican party got that vote? You are asked only to follow the policy set by your party, and to reap the result in honors and power. Why do you suppose the head of the church deserted Spain in this war, when Spain is a Catholic country, and has been on the side of the Protestant United States, if he did not expect recognition of his services? Do you not suppose we understood from the time the Maine was blown up that the people might be aroused to start this war? The hierarchy is hereafter to be a dominating power in America, and you are to be president. It is a big thought, and you must think over it, Judge."