The Washington times., 1914-09-20
ASKS DATA ON PERIL
OF MEXICAN CLER|CS
Government investigates Al.
legged Menace to Nuns and
Priests at Vera Cruz,

The State Department has requested
Bishop Conaty. OF OILS Angeles. to naxs
a full statement of information in his
possession concerning atrocities against
priests and nuns charged against the
constitutionalists. This information will
be used to guide the United States Gov
ernment in solving the problem raised
by the presence in Vera Cruz OF jG
members Of Catholic religious orders,
who. the President has been advised.
fear they will be in danger unless they
are permitted to leave Mexico before
the departure of the American forces.
State Department officials are not cer-
tain that this Government can comply
with the request submitted to the Presi-
cent by the Rev. Louis J. O'Hearn, of
the Catholic University. that transports
De used to bring the priests and nuns
from vera Cruz TO the United States
/ without legislative sanction. The pres
ent APPROPRIATION for relief work n
Mexico has been considered as applying
only to the transporting of Americans.
while for the most part the members of
religious orders, who have been driven
| out of interior Mexican cities and have
made their way to Vera Cruz are no.
American citizens.
Facts Are Sought
The information obtained by Father
UHearn. on which he based his re-
quest for Governmental aid, was re-
ceived from Chaplain Francis P. Joyce.
L. S. A. at Vera Cruz. Stories Of
atrocities related to the State Depart
ment in communications from Bishop
Conaty prompted officials to call for
all information obtainable on this sub
| ject. before the return of General Fun
rNFlHe
as may be necessary may be taken
Secretary of War Garrison will take
up the question of the availability of
army transports for this purpose
when he returns tomorrow from a
weekend visit to his summer home at
Sea Bright, y. ].
Further light on recent develop
ments in Mexico also will be brought
to the attention of the Administration
by Paul Fuller. who will report to
President Wilson on the conferences
he held with General Carranza and
other Mexican administration leaders
after their occupation of Mexico City.
Mr.. Fuller arrived in New York last
night and will come to Washington
tomorrow
Will Fix Evacuation Date.
Final decision is expected to be
reached in the next day or so as to
the time of the withdrawal Of the
American forces from Vera Cruz.
Transports to bring home General
Funston's troops and the marines sta
toned there are now on their way
to Mexican waters in accord with
earlier plans to evacuate Vera Cruz,
October 1. Since those plans were
made. however. General Funston has
recommended that evacuation be de-
Iayed until October 10. owing to the
necessity of permitting the departure
of the thousands of refugees who
sought American protection in Vera
Cruz and who fear the consequences
if they should not be able to leave
Mexico before the troops are with
drawn.
The State Department has requested
Acting Consul Canada at Vera Cruz
to investigate the situation brought
about by the presence of Mexican
refugees there and to report as to
their number and condition. Secre-
taries Bryan ard Garrison wish to
obtain all possible information before
taking final action toward turning
Vera Cruz over to a Mexican civil
administration.