The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-04

Surely, Mr.. Tumulty is not innocent
enough to really believe that the
promises made by Carranzai were in
tended to be kept. II they were, how
explain the persecution which has
broken out since in. Morelia and in
Yucatan? How explain that, contrary
to the constitution, clergymen may no
longer even hold private property in
Mexico? mot Catholic clergymen
alone. but all clergymen. The very
homes that sheltered the poor priests
OF even the country districts are now
to be taken from them by decree.
lClergymen are declared incapable Of
holding property in Morelia, and this
not because clergymen are rich, but
because 1t is the settled intention of
the Revolutionists to drive God out OF
Mexico. i
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. II religious liberty. falls
for Catholics, it falls for Protestants.
II God Is not going to be admitted into
Mexico. what about the missions es-
tablished by Protestant churches with
the expenditure Of enormous amounts
OF money. Carranza may answer eve
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 disobediance Of the law.
1 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
signature Of the secretary of the pres
ident, that the "Ilatin-American coun-
tries joining in the conferences, and
in the recognition, are all OF them
Catholic countries" Perhaps Mr..
Tumulty will enlighten us as to
whether or not any representations
were made by these countries, and
others, as to religious liberty in Mex
leo. 1.-The does not, care to so enlighten
the public, perhaps the public will be
enlightened later on. AS said in my
cablegram from Rome to the Chicago
Tribune, this is not question Of
persons; it is a question Of principles
The church can live under Carranza
or anybody else, and when lawful
government is set up in Mexico, it is
the duty Of the church, following its
principles, to live under 1t; but the
unfortunate people who believe in God
in Mexico, have right to religious
liberty. That right has been denied
them, and is being denied them by the
de facto government, supported by the
president Of the United States.
The statement by Father Tierney,
along the same lines, is as follows:
A reply to Mr.. Tumulty's letter will
APPEAR in the next issue Of America,
the national Catholic weekly, OF which
am editor. For the present suffice 1t
to say that the points in which am
interested concern the treatment Of
priests, brothers and sisters and the
attitude OF the toward
religion in general. Mr.. Tumulty dis
counts nearly all the reports OF out
RACES: but his contention is sustained
by no evidence Of value. His testi-
mony about the treatment Of sisters
is in every instance. except one, mega
tive and cannot render uncertain the
proposition that sisters were outraged
nor prove the contradictory PROPOSE
ton that sisters were not outraged.
Against this negative testimony Mon
signor Kelly and myself have set and
can now set afiidavits declaring that
sisters were Ill treated. And strange
to say one OF these affidavits was
made in Vera Cruz by refugee sisters,
at "a time when, as Mr.. Tumulty de-
clares, the officers Of the American
army who were thrown into contact
with these same sisters, in Vera Cruz,
never heard Of a single report Of
outrage having been committed Z,
Stranger still this affldavit is signed
by an officer OF the American army.
Through the columns Of America /
have offered to furnish Mr.. Tumulty
the names of the six sisters who testi-
fed, the names Of the six witnesses
and the name Of the notary. For pru-
dental reasons, shall withhold the
name Of the army officer / have also
offered, to send him copy Of an am
davit made by the sprioress OF a well
known Carmelite monastery. who con-
yersed with sisters who were outraged.
All this testimony gives moral GER
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