The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-10-09
KEEPING FAITH WITH CATH.
oLICS.


Religious by the so-called Consti-
tutionalists under the leadership
of Carranza had gone beyond. the
bounds Of civilized warfare, the
Catholics Of America lodged a
protest with the Unitedeq States
Government on behalf of their
prosecuted brethren I'm Mexico.
Tie factssof the case, vouched for
by the testimony of reliable wit
nesses, were laid before the adj
ministration and assurances were
given by the State Department
that the question of religious lib
erty in Mexico would receive due
consideration before stable gov
eminent would be recognized. This
assurance was given by former
Secretary Of State Bryan in a
letter written last December to
Father Tierney, editor of Amer
ica," from which we quote as
follows:
Regarding your request that
this Government withhold It's
recognition Of any government in
Mexico that does not grant real
freedom of worship, the depart
ment informs you that it will de-
fer final decision as to whether or
not to accord recognition to a gov
eminent in Mexico until the time
shall have arrived for making
such decision. When that time
arrives the department assures
you that the question Of religious
freedom in Mexico will receive due
consideration. +"
It is true that another has sue
ceeded Mr.. Bryan as Secretary of
State; but the government will be
expected to stand by its pledge.
Failure to do SO will be a repudia-
ton of a solemn promise and an
indication of a change Of attitude
for which it will be held respon.
sible.
If, by recognizing Carranza as
head Of the Republic of Mexico
the. administration now in power
at Washington fails to keep faith
with Catholics, they will be
justified in holding it to q
strict accounting. Up to the pres.
ent they have adopted the watch.
full waiting policy of President
Wilson and have accepted the as
surance given by the State De
partment at its face value
Whether they were justified il
doing this or not, future events
alone will determine.
At present all indications point
to the recognition of Carranza by
the administration. Mr.. Silliman
President Wilson S personal repre-
sentative in Mexico, has beer
summoned home for the purpose
it is assumed, Of participating il
the conference of the Pan-Ameri
can diplomats who will hole
another meeting soon to deter
mine the course to be taken by
their respective governments il
regard to Mexico. Stillman is tht
last of the trio of personal repre-
sentatiyeS sent by President Viii
son to Mexico and we are tolc
that before leaving Vera Cruz b,
called on General Carranza anc
babe him goodbye. This il
significant when taken III connec
ton with the official statemen
given out some time ago that tn,
Carranza government will logic
ally be entitled to recognition. =
1t seems strange to every in
telligent person that the Unite,
States Government should con
template even for moment til,
recognition of this prince Of brig
ands as ruler of Mexico. AS chic
of the so-called Constitutionalist
Carranza has, during the past tw,
years, shown himself incap
able of controlling the demoniaca
brutality of his followers. He ha
mot raised a hand to save Mexic'
from their ravages. He is tn
avowed enemy OF the Catholi
Church in Mexico and has don
everything in his power to perse
cute her by looting sanctuaries
numbering priests, rayaging Sis
tiers and depriving the rank an
file of her children Of the benefit
of religion. BY these acts alon
he has forfeited all right to cor
sideration for such an importan
position as ruler of Mexico. VIII
| then should he be looked upon a
a possible savior of the country
/ The recognition of Carrapza b
! the present administration will b
Ialdirect challenge to the Catholic
| of the United States andsav sir
cerely hope that President Wilso
| and his Cabinet will not snake
necessary for Catholics to answe
this challenge IN the only wa
! open to them.
i ORPHANS FOR ADOPTION.
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