Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-04

to be kept. II they We're, how explain
the persecution which has broken out
since in Morelia and in Yucatan? How
explain that, contrary to the Constitu-
ton, clergymen may no longer even
hold private property in Mexico?-not
Catholic clergymen alone, but all
clergymen. The very homes that shell
tered the poor priests Of even the
country districts are now to be taken
from them by decree. Clergymen are
declared incapable Of holding property
in Morelia, and this not because
clergymen are rich, but because it is
the settled intention of the Revolu-
tionists to drive God out of Mexico.
This is not a Catholic question, and
the interests of the Catholic Church
are not alone at stake. 1t is a ques-
ton that concerns the fundamental
principles Of democracy, which Presi-
dent Wilson is bound to uphold, as the
head of the greatest democracy in the
world. If religious liberty falls for
Catholics, it falls for Protestants. If
God is not going to be admitted into
Mexico, what about the missions es-
tabl1shed by Protestant Churches with
the expenditure Of enormous amounts
Of money? Carranza may answer I'VE
are not going to interfere with the
protestant Missions; but no thought
ful Protestant could accept missions
under such circumstances, because he
would then be accepting the special
privileges against which he has con-
stantly rallied. and carry on his work
in 6iSnhoIiancn Of he To-
! have constantly pointed out, even
to President Wilson himself, the fact
that the Church in Mexico is not ask
ing for privileges of any kind what
ever. The demand is merely for re-
ligious liberty as it exists in the United
| States
1t is interesting to read, over the sigma.
ture Of the Secretary to the President
that the "Latin-American countries Join
ing in the conferences, and in the recog
milton. are all of them Catholic coun
tries" Perhaps Mr.. Tumulty will en-
tighten US as to whether or not any rep
reservations were made by these coun
tries, and others, as to religious libert,
in Mexico. If he does not care to SO en-
| tighten the public, perhaps the publ,
| will be enlightened later on. AS l said i,
| my cablegram from Rome to the Chica
| go Tribune, s.this. is not question o.
persons; 1t is question of principles
| The Church can live under Carranza o.
! anybody else. and when a lawful gov
| eminent is set up in Mexico, it is the
| duty of the Church, following it's prin
ciples. to live under it; but the unfortu
nate people who believe in God in Mexico
| have a right to religious liberty. Tha,
right has been denied them, and is be.
! ing denied them by the de facto Govern.
| United States.
| The statement by Father Tierney, along
the same lines, is as follows:
| A reply to Mr.. Tumulty's letter will ap-
| pear in the next issue of America, the
| National Catholic Weekly, of which ]
am editor. For the present suffice it to
say that the points in which I am inter.
| ested concern the treatment of priests
Brothers and Sisters and the attitude OF
the Revolutionists toward religion in gen.
| eral. Mr.. Tumulty discounts nearly all
| the reports of outrages; But this conten.
| ton is sustained by no evidence of value
His testimony about the treatment OF
Sisters is in every instance, except one
| negative and cannot render uncertain the
| proposition that Sisters were outrage
| nor prove the contradictory proposition
that Sisters were not outraged. Agains,
this negative testimony Monsignor Kelly
| and myself have set and can now set aft
| davits declaring that Sisters were ii
treated. And strange to say one Of these
| affdavits was made in Vera Cruz by
refugee Sisters. at time when, as Mn
Tumulty declares, the officers Of the
American army who were thrown into
| contact with these same Sisters. in Vera
| Cruz, never heard of single report Of
| outrage having been committed
Stranger still this affidavit is signed b!
an officer of the American army
Through the columns of America have
offered to furnish Mr.. Tumulty the name:
of the six Sisters who testified, the name:
! of the six witnesses and the name Of the
| notary For prudential reasons, l shall
withhold the name of the army officer.
| have also offered to send him a copy o,
an affidavit made by the Prioress OF q
weil-known Carmelite monastry, who
! conversed with Sisters who were out.
ragged. All this testimony gives mora
gertrude that outrages were committed
Mr.. Tumulty's evidence leaves this Ger.
titude untouched. He gave one item Of
| positive testimony to the effect that Sis
tiers were not outraged within the Arch