The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-31

u
Ninety per cent OF Mexico Is Cath.
Ollie" according to statements that seer
| trustworthy.
But no priest ever appears on IN,
street OF any Mexican city wearing tn,
garb OF his Office. No nun Is ever seer
in public In the black robes TO which
we are accustomed in the United States
Now and then the church bells are rung
but not often. The indiscriminate ring.
ing OF church bells--the sort of in
discriminate ringing which Is done every
day In every city OF the United States
is forbidden. One Of the faults OF Gen,
| Pablo Gonzales, when he entered the
| City OF Mexico after the fall OF Presi-
| dent Carran2a, was that he permitted
| the church bells to he rung.
| Rejoice" he Is quoted ms having said
to the priests, over the fall OF tyranny"
About Mexican Elections.
But the rejoicing seemed TO the leaders
| OF Ohregon faction too much like n re-
toioing over the arrival OF Pablo Con
Eales In town, and II came 20 n sharp
end, Now the conflict between the
church authorities and the political au-
thorities is to be submitted 20 the more
or less free and enlightened electors OF
MEXICO. II IL stated that the church
party is TO offer candidate for the
presidential Office at the election In
September Perhaps this decision win
us
Unless President de la Huerta and his
righthand man and adviser. Minister OF
War Elias j. Gales, change their at
titude, Gen. Obregon will be elected
president by precisely the majority that
ne wishes. That 10 the way things are
done In Mexico.
The church question Is really a very
delicate one In the republic. When
Mexico was FIRST conquered by tho
Spanish the church became extremely
powerful. hut failed to endear itself 10
the natives, Later ON the church be-
came possessed OF what was held to be
an undue proportion OF the really worth
while property of the land. while It's
minister's were charged with practically
unsurping the political power. without
entering too much into detail, the church
property was "nationalized" under BEN
ito JuareS. the Indian ''llberator" OF
Mexico
Ruined Churches Abound.
That naturalization" stands today
The land IL fllled with ruined churches
and abandoned converts. A certain
number OF churches are still In use. and
masses and the the other Offices OF the
church are said at certain hours. But
the civil authorities. representing the
state. which Is the present actual owner
OF the church properties. are in control
or the situation. II tho mayor OF a city
feels that two churches are SUFFICIENT 10
meet the religious needs OF the situa- !
ton only two churches are permitted 70 |
be open. There are stili nunneries IN |
oxistense, but 10 the authorities they |
are known merely MS 'boariin ghouses' or
homes" On occasion OF the formal IN.
speotions the inmates remove their black
robes and don ordinary dress for the
purpose OF complying with the fiction
That the church has never 4. assented
TO this attitude OF the civil power goes
saying The church leaders are
beyond doubt supported by large share
u the population, likewise, for MS stated
Mexico Is ninety per cent, Catholic But
I Is always difficult for ponce loving
population TO resist aggression by 4 milf
AIRY dictatorship, which II whit the
government of Mexico has always hoen.
resident Daz and his successor. Presi-
lent Huerte, showed disposition 10 he
more friendly to the Catholic church.
rankly anti-church In his political ac-
ion,
Principal Church Looted.
Some years ago Obregon took tho City
4 Mexico with his troopers. He then
ermitted the footing OF the principal
hurch of the city by the ''peladoA" OF
he town ! have been told by resi-
ent that for an hour or more the
troets were alive with ragged rufi,nne,
ffering for sale sllken ornaments,
old embroidered bits OF hne old wood +
arriving. pieces Of silver and the like 20
no first conner AZ last the better
lases interfered and drove the looters
ut
"A pitched. battle followed in the
ireets," ! was told, I'm which tire mer-