The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-11-20

IfulLS. from the beginning ne4naS re-
fused to concede, to compromise, to
give way. If he was to be used to
meet the exigencies of our domestic
politics, he would have his price.
That price is now offered to him. In
every stipulation in the contract Car,
rama lays down the terms Take
the portentous matter of religious toll
GRAFTON:
''The Carranza government has Civ
en- guarantees that hereafter all relig-
ious persons will receive full protec-
fion in Mexico in the exercise or
teaching of their beliefs, provided
they have not participated and will
not participate in the politics of Mex
ico'
Some assurance on this subject was
essential to Mr.. Wilson; the Catho-
lies in this country have not been
silent while their fellows in the
Church were prosecuted by the Car
rama juntO. Hence the guarantees, "
but their exceptions illuminate their
real worth:
AS matter of fact it is considered
Tin Washington that the assurance
given by Carranza will not open the
way for the return to Mexico of clergy
exiled from that country by him, as
it has been charged by the Constitu-
tionalists that the clergy expelled
were so treated because they sought
to NEEDLE in Mexican politics."
Moreover, the guarantees do not ex-
tend to religious person" shat is,
to priests and nuns-who may be &C
cused in the future of participating in
Mexican politics, and the decision as
to what constitutes participation rests
with the Carranzista politicians
Here is religious freedom of a novel
complexion. The political amnesty
granted by Carranza is of the same
nature; pardon for those whom he de-
cides to spare, the firing squad for
those whom he fears or upon whom
he would he avenged.
Obviously, Carranza must have
money! BY whom is it to be supplied?
American bankers" the Washington
dispatches say, will be called upon
to supply the funds to establish the
Carranza government on solid
basis" Carranza cannot get a cent in
this country unless he can present the
guaranty of the United States. Is
that obligation to be assumed without
substantial agreement between the
United States and Mexico as to the
collection and distribution of Mexican
revenues? II it is, the charge might
as well be made against the United
States Treasury originally as at a
subsequent date. On the other hand
if Carranza should consent, which he
would not, to confide the management
of Mexico's national finances to Amer
lean officials his make-believe govern
ment would not last a week, for the
one thing on which all Mexicans are
united is hatred of an American in
vasion, civil or military.
They hate us, and what is more to
the point, they hold us in contempt.
They have been led to believe that
we are powerless to enforce our words
with deeds, and that in the ultimate
test they are superior, in arms to
their neighbors across their northern
boundary. For this the Mexicans and
the people of the United States have
Mr. Wilson to thank. What other
opinion could be drawn from the Vera
Cruz expedition, with it's lack of OBJ
iective, absence of purpose, and final
failure to exact the penalty which
was it's avOwed excuse? Throughout
Mexico all factions are agreed that
the United States essayed an inva-
sion. It's troops dared not quit the
protecting guns of it's warships, and
in this display of impotence gave the
measure of it's strength. Mr.. Wilson
has never confided to the American
people the ambition that stirred him
to that tragic venture. He made of
it the text of speech that has not
been forgotten; the speech in which
death and wounds were counted SO
lightly as against the suffering i'm
posed by criticism. It's effects in
Mexico are notorious; but its final
purpose no American knows.
The latest Mexican adventure of
President Wilson might be cited as
a contradiction of much that has here
tofore received his approval. 1t is.
But in the inconsistencies and mutual
ly destructive elements that compose
the Presidents Mexican policy"
why single out one for special honor?
The bargain of Saturday was struck
to meet the extremities of domestic
politics.. to facilitate escape from an
embarrassing inquisition, and if tire
duces Congress to silence the object
of Mr WILSON will he achieved