The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-10-16
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL
SUPPORT CARRANZA.

Dispatches from Washington
announce that the United States
Government has decided to recog-
nize General Carranza as the de
facto head of the Mexican Repub-
lie. This course of action was de
cided upon at the Pan-American
conference held in Washington
last Saturday between Secretary
Lansing of the State Department
and the Ambassadors and Minis
tiers of six South-American Repub-
lies. 1t was unanimously agreed
that this step would be recon-
mended to their respective gov
ernments and no doubt the formal
act Of recognition will take place
in the course Of a week or two.
Carranza, who is now virtually
in command Of the situation il
Mexico, will then be the Chief Elk,
ecutive of the Republic. We
know what he has been during
the past two years. What he will
be hereafter remains to be seen
Judging from his past, we have
no reason to think that the Amer
lean Government has made a good
choice.
A year ago the State Depart
ment announced that no govern.
ment would be supported in Mex.
leo without guarantee OF relig.
ious liberty. Carranza has shown
himself the avoWed enemy Of the
Catholic Church. The leopard
does not change his spots over
night. 1t is true he has given
certain guarantees, one Of which
is that 'no one will suffer in his
life and property on account Of re
ligious beliefs; all priests and
nuns who have not taken part il
Mexican politics will be permitted
to return and will be protected
provided they do not participate
in politics and obey the Mexican
laws governing the separation OF
Church and state "
This is all very we'll on paper
but to say that Mexican ecclesi-
astics have interferred in politics
i'll the past is merely subterfuge
to give some sort Of justification
for the attacks made upon their
persons and property by the so.
called Constitutionalists. About
year ago the Mexican Hierarchy
issued an open letter in which
they protested vigorously against
the charge that they had partici
pated in politics, and we have nc
reason to believe that they stated
anything but the truth.
As further evidence of gooC
faith, Mr.. r. A. Arredohdo. Car
ranza's representative in Wash
ington, sent the following state.
ment to Secretary Lansing under
date of October 8:
Complying with Your Excel
lency's request asking me what il
the attitude Of the Constitutional
list government in regard to the
Catholic Church in Mexico, | have
the honor to say that in as much
as the establishment of peace
within order and law is the pur
pose of the government of Mr.
Venustiano Carranza, to the enc
that all the inhabitants of Mexico
without exception, whether na
tionals or foreigners, may equally
enjoy the benefits of true justice
and hence take interest in co
operating to the support of The
government, the laws of reform
which guarantee individual free
dom of worship according t.
every one conscience, shall b.
strictly observed.
These pledges are all very wei
in themselves, but the question is
will they be observed by Carran
"a? Will the United States Gov
eminent see that they are OBJ
served by him.. We have pro
tested against tie recognition o
ICarranza by this country on til,
ground of his unfitness for tn,
position. We have no reason t.
change our opinion on this point
| but we are willing to believe tina
| the Administration is acting TO
| the best interests of all concerned
and especially of the people il
Mexico by recognizing Carranzi
as the chief Of the Republic. Nov
that this step has been taken it j
| the bounden duty of Preslden
| Wilson and his advisers to Sc
| that Carranza lives up to tn
| pledges he has given to grant tn
| fullest religious liberty to all AM
| to cease prosecuting bishops
| priests and Sisters In Mexico o.
account Of their religion.