The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-29

TUMULTY DEFENDS WILSON
AGAINST CATHOLIC CRITICISM

WASHINGTON, Nov. eS.-Importani
documents designed to combat the charge
that the Wilson Administration over
looked the offences Of Gen. Carranza
against tho Catholic Church in accord
ing him recognition and setting forth
in a general way the Administrations
defence Of its Mexican policy were made
public at the White House tonight.
The documents consist OF letters from
President Wilson's private secretary,
Joseph F.. Tumulty. and ex-Secretary OF
State Bryan. The most striking feature
OF the correspondence Is an official state
ment from the Very Rev. Antonio J,
Paroles. Roman Catholic Vicar-General
of the Archbishopric Of Mexico city. en-
bodied in Mr.. Tumulty's letter denying
the charge OF Catholic clergy in this
country that nun were outraged by Gen.
Carranza's soldiery.
An interesting point IN tho Tumulty
letter II the explanation Of why the
United States and the Latin American
diplomats decided to recognise Carranxa
in preference to the Villista faction. In
substance it was because the Vilista
commanders and authorities responded
independently of villa accepting the In
NlIitlOu u Nv bukScotco pObSo ~
ence, while those affiliated with Gen.
Carranza made a uniform reply stating
that he would reply for them - he
deemed best.
"The Inference was plain" said Mr.
Tumulty. "On the one hand there
seemed TO be no organization. while on
the other unity and harmony prevailed"
The Bryan letter which was written
last March details the measures taken
by the State Department UP to that time,
| including forceful representa- tions TO the
| successive commanders at Mexico city.
to procure the safety Of Catholic sisters
and priests. Many quoted excerpts from
communications to the Mexican authori-
ties show that in the preceding year the
American Government had exerted
strong pressure to this end.
The Letter Of Inquiry.
Or. McGuire's letter Of inquiry to Mr..
Tumulty was as follows:
TRENTON, N. j.. Nov. II, 1915.
"Nr. Joseph p. TumuIty, White House,
Washington. ID. @.
my DEAR Mr.. TyMULTY: There has
been such widespread criticism OF the
manner in which Catholic priests and
sisters have been treated at the hands
OF Gen. Carranza In Mexico that many
| friends of the President are at n loss to
understand why the Administration has
been willing to recognize him.
II suppose you must have some ac-
curate information on the subject, and
IL you can spare the time to let me
know Just what tho situation Is ! will
appreciate It.
with kindest regards. ! am sincerely
yours, JAMES ]. MCGUIRE. NJ. d..
a.~->..- u~u.-v~v,~ nnr
Mr.. Tumulty's reply follows:
THE WHITE HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, November 81, 1916.
"MY DEAR DIR. MCGUIRE: In view Of
the frank request In O u letter of the
18th instant ! beg to reply at some
length.
when this Administration assumed
ofice Mexican affairs were In q most
deplorablc state. 1t was. indeed. a dis.
tressing heritage. There seemed TO have
, been started in Mexico before that time
a popular movement against the usurper
%Iluerta, IA movement which was In sup
port Of the principles Of the Nadero
revolution, by Which II was sought to
obtain for tho people at least a few
Of the privileges then being enjoyed by
a very limited circle OF tho intimates Of
President Diaz.
"Tho need OF reforms was evident,
the fight for them Just and the throes
through which Mexico has passed, while
most distressing. are but similar to those
experienced I'm other countries where
the people have risen against Oppres-
sion. The French revolution. our own,
for that matter. had its unhappy side,
and when the wounds were fresh many
were embittered by the loss OF friends
and property OF by injustice done In
the nams Of ltes1ty. The country Wy