The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-22
CATHOLICS ATTACK
MEXICAN POLICIES
Criticisc Recognition OF Carranxa,
Who Il Denounced A Arch
Prosecutor of Church.
ASK ALL CHRISTIANS TO ACT
Demand Voiced for Religious Free
dom for Protestant and Catholic
German Catholics Denouncc Euro
pcan Policy,

New York. Aug. 2i.-That Presi-
dent Wilson ignored the protest of
100000 Catholics of America and
recognized Carranza, arch-persecutor
of Catholics, is the gist OF report
made today by National Secretary Ma
tire to the American Federation of
Catholic Societies in session at Cathe-
dral Han The report is a bald COL
lection OF facts ana contains no direct
structures upon the administration.
1t details the effort of the federation,
on behalf OF the Catholic community,
to stop outrages against priests. In
dlgnities to nuns and destruction of
church property in Mexico.
While the word politics" is taboo,
the report is intended for the consump
tion OF all Catholics and as evidence
OF the federation's and other Catholic
societies determination to work cease
icssly for religious freedom in Mexico
The first public mention of this
was IN Bishop Hickey's sermon at st.
Patrick's Cathedral Sunday at the
Pontfical mass. Joseph Frey, of the
German Central Verein, in his report
emphasized the terrible conditions in
Mexico.
Tomorrow President Michael j.
SIattery, of the Young Meas Catholic
Union, will also voice the demand for
religious freedom for both Prote~.ants
and Catholics In the report which he
WI make to his society
He will insist that at present 1t Is
crime for either n Protestant or
Catholic to go to church In Mexico.
Matre's report was referred to the
committee on resolutions. which will
act Wednesday.
There is q strong feeling in the
federation that conditions will not be
bettered In Mexico by mere verbal
protests, but that militant and
ceaseless propaganda must be main
tanned.
For All Christians.
An appeal for Catholics and Protes-
tant sto combine to maintain Chris
tian ideals was made by Edward
Feeny, of Brooklyn. in his report on
public morals He denounced the d.
vorce laws. asserting one million d.
vorces had been granted in the last
ten years.
He urged renewal of the demand
for stringent national divorce law.
GRAFTON in cleansing the theatre and
spoke of the injury to morals through
the so-called burlesque shdws A
strong tribute was paid to the late
Anthony Comstock and a hitter at
tack was made on the guardians OF
! liberty
/ The session in the absence of Presi.
dent Waheln. was opened by the vice
| president. Thomas +. Flynn Cardina
lO'Connell. attired in the striking scar.
let cloak he wore at Madison Square
was escorted by the mission band. H
made a short address in which h,
paid a tribute to Bishop McFaul
father OF the federation
The Wilson administration was ais
severely criticised for its Mexican an,
European policies at the opening ses
sion OF the German Catholic Contra
! Ferein in the Park-Avenue Hotel TO
day. Representing almost 200, 0Ot
| Roman Catholics of German descent
Joseph Frey, Of New York city, presi
dent Of the national body. denounced
the "swaying attitude" of our govern
ment toward Mexico and asked tina
resolutions embodying the opinion o
MI German Catholics OF the country b.
passed.
The thousand laymen who crowded
the ball room of the Park Avenu
Hotel also heard Charles Korz, presi
dent Of the New York State federauo,
OF Catholic Societies. hint strongl
/ the Federal government was guilt
OF favoring the allies in the presen
war. Both attacks on the admins
tration were received with evident ap
prevail, although there was little APP
plause at the references to our in
ternational policy.