The Washington herald., 1912-07-28
MAY RAISE FUND
! F0R MISSION WORK
Catholics May Send Workers Into
Peru to Stop Atrocities
on Indians.
PLANS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Steps are about to be taken in a move
/ ment which is to be coordinate with a
similar one in England. for the collec-
tion Of popular subscriptions to defray
the expenses Of Catholic mission to go
into the Putumayo district of Peru. and
! put a stop to the atrocities practiced by
agents of an English company against
Indians employed in the gathering Of
rubber.
Backing for this movement Is to come
from the highest possible official sources,
| II Is now understood. AS Is now known.
the State Department has been co-operat-
ing with the British government. with a
view to suppressing the atrocities. since
they were uncovered through the efforts
of Sir Roger Easement, British Consul
General at Para. Brazil. With the pub
lication of the Easement report this
month in London. the public has just
been made acquainted with the horrible
practices which have been going on In
the remote regions Of the Upper ANA
zon. The start Of the movement for
subscription awaits only upon decision
as to how the money might best be col
lected. and what person or organizations
shall be made receivers. The British
embassy is ready to cooperate In such
a movement in the United States, as
soon as II Is STARTED
Cardinal Gibbons suExested.
1t is now believed that Cardinal Glib
bons. at Baltimore. will be asked to as
sumo the receivership Of funds collected
for this purpose. As the recognized head
of the Roman Catholic Church in this
country for many years. the Cardinal Ii
cons idered the most suitable man for the
ONCE. 1t is believed that were he to ac-
cept the responsibility, all possible doubt
as to the highly humanitarian character
Of the project would be removed.
The project for the sending of Cath
olic mission to the Putumayo originated
in Great Britain. where the atrocities in
this region have occupied the attention
of the British government for nearly two
years. The idea OF a mission was nit
upon as the best possible assurance that
the torture and butchery Of the Indians
by rubber agents would cease. No sect
other than the Roman Catholic Church
is considered in a position to take up the
matter. because of the fact that the con-
stitution of Peru prohibits any activities
in that country by any other church. 1t
is believed that IL the Putumayo can be
covered with churchmen, to work among
the natives in even the most remote re-
gions that the agents of the rubber
company will not dare to continue their
practices among the Indians. which have
in the killing OF at least 5000
in the last twelve years. The mission |
aries it is believed. would serve as so
many watchful agents OF humanity and
and would be able to keep |
the light OF publicity turned upon all the |
acts of the rubber gathering firms.
Funds Arc Needed.
The proposal to send a Catholic mission
to the Putumayo has been taken up with |
the Pope by the British government. and |
his heartiest cooperation is assured. |
Funds are lacking. however, and. conse- |
quently, a committee, including many Of
the most prominent persons in all Eng
land has been organized to supervise the
Of funds in that country.
Great Britain earnestly hopes that a
similar movement will be started in the |
United States. and II has been stated
by officers of that government
that such help Is not only hoped for. but
expected from the American people. The
United States government is already at
work In cooperation with Great Britain.
md has sent a special consul to the
Putumayo to investigate and report on
now far Peru Is living up to her prom
ses to effect reforms in the rubber dis
riots. 1t is well recognized. however.
hat owing to the remoteness of the Putu-
mayo district from the capital of Peru.
he lack Of suitable means Of communica-
ion. the undeveloped nature OF that re-
ZION, and the corruption known to exist
Lmong many of the white men intrusted
With official functions in that region,
hat the task of the Peruvian government
8 a most difficult one. For these rea-
ons the belief in the efficiency Of a
Roman Catholic mission in the rubber
istricts is especially strong. l.