New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-15
QAIINS MEXICO
HOUNDS PRIESTS
Mgr. Kelley Protests That
Old Regime of Perse-
cutiOn Is Revived.
tFron The Tribune Burssu.l

Washington, Dec. l4.-Monsignor
Francis c. Kelley, president Of the
Catholic Extension Society. laid before
Secretary Lansing to-day new charges
Of persecution Of the clergy by the
present Mexican government. Not only
are the laws Of religious reform. en-
acted in 1855, being enforced with
vigor, but private letters show, he de-
clared, that governors of states are
issuing new DEGREES which make Il i'm
possible for priests and nuns to live
in Mexico.
Monsignor Kelley was accompanied
by the Rev. Thomas V. Shannon, edi-
tor Of "The New World" a Chicago
Catholic publication. After their con-
ference with the Secretary they ex-
pressed confidence that the State De-
partment would do everything in its
power to secure justice for the Church
in Mexico.
The Church had no personal animos-
ity toward Carranza, Nonsignor Kel-
ley said, but was anxious to learn
whether or not the Fla; Chief was able
to control his governors and prevent
the PRONUNCIATION OF unjust DEGREES.
In a recent conversation with Eliseo
Arredondo. since appointed Ambassa-
dor from Mexico, DR.. Shannon said he
was assured that Carranza desired only
to enforce the laws against politics3
activity by the clergy and to insure
freedom Of religious -orship.
Monsignol Kelley said that reports
received in San Antonio and Chicago
showed that in Yucatan priests were
now required 10 marry and TO work
eight hours a day in the government
Offices. In certain parts Of northern
Mexico priests were forbidden to own
any property whatever. even their
homes, which were held Individually
in Mexico, and not by the Church. as
in this country. In Moralia, he said,
Catholic women were forbidden to con-
fess, while in some parts OF Mexico
priests were not allowed 20 wear over
coats, but must wear the poems blan-
ket
The clergy, Monsignor Kelley added,
had never been in politics. The So
called Catholic party WAS entirely com
posed of laymen. All that Monsignor
Kelley and his society were attempt
ing to do now, he stated, was 10 insist
on "a democratic principle recognized
by every real republic and guaranteed
by the constitution OF Mexico
fEy Telegraph 20 The Tribune
FL Paso. Tex. Dec. 14.--Colonel Hip
olite Villa, brother of the revolution
airy leader and in charge OF the WI,
lista gambling houses and financial
agency in Juarez, left to-day 70 confer
with General villa at chihuahua, or
wherever Villa may be found. IL Is
said in Juarez that Colonel Villa has
gone to urge his brother not TO harm
the thirty or more American employees
of the MADEIRA Lumber Company he is
holding prisoners in Chihuahua.
Fear among Americans on the border
that Villa may carry out his threat 10
retaliate on Americans by killing the
prisoners influenced Colonel Villa to
make an effort in their behalf, it is
said, as a violent snti-Villa sentiment
on the border, in the opinion Of VII
listas, caused a falling off in business
in the Juarez gambling houses.
The Americans were kidnapped by
Villa after they had succeeded in send
ING their women and children 70 the
border and were preparing TO follow.
Il is believed that Villa plans TO use
the Americans TO extort big sum as
ransom. What effect Hipolite Villas
visit will have Is a question on the
border. as villa ordinarily does not
WELD readily, and he is known TO be
bitter against Americans.