Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-27
us. MAKESKNOWN
CONCERN IN MEXICO
SheffieId's Friendly Repre-
sensations Voice Attitude
/. on Religious Strife.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

troversy over the freedom of worship
by Catholics should have arisen, and
while James r. Sheffield, the Ameri
can Ambassador, has in the last few
months presented no formal protest
reports that the American Govern
ment has entirely ignored the episode
are not correct.
The erroneous impression as to the
Washington government position de
veloped as a result Of published re
ports that since no protest was being
sent, a hands off" policy would be
pursued. 1t all depends on what is
strictly speaking, meant by the
phrase hands off"
The Washington Government. for
example, felt that 1t could not inter
fere in a strictly internal affair like
a religious controversy and is well
supported by presidents in failing to
make formal protest. But the Ameri
ran Ambassador has plenty of lati-
tude in the form of representations
or in oral conversations based on in
formal instructions.
Under the circumstances Mr.. Shelf
field has found ways to indicate the
feeling of anxiety which has prevailed
here as TO the outcome of the con-
uoversy. The American Government
has always been sOlicitous about
permanency of administrations In
Mexico City and when the economic
boycott was started 1t became ap-
parent that the whole economic
structure was imperiled. In the past
q decline in the economic status of
the country has given encourag ement
to malcontents. Revolutions have re-
suited, with the consequent endanger-
ing Of American lives and property.
Took Up Americans Cases.
There is nothing i'm the record
however, to show that the American
Government at any time has entered
into the merits of the religious con
troversy which has been going on In
Mexico. Whenever an American has
been involved. of course, as in the
case of Bishop Caruana, the papal
envoy. who was expelled from Mex.
leo. the American Ambassador has
promptly taken up such matters with
the Mexican government, requesting
an explanation and using his good
ofhces. This action can be construed
as "A protest, but in diplomatic
parlance 1t merely amounts to rep
RESERVATIONS"
The general policy that is being
pursued Is based more or less on an
important precedent which occurred
when Huntington Wilson was Acting
Secretary OF State under President
Taft in February in 1912. AT that
time, the Department OF State in its
instructions to American Minister
Northcutt in Venezuela wrote:
While 1t has ever been the policy
or this Government not to interfere
with the internal regulations OF for
eign governments, more especially in
questions of religions. this Govern
ment, practicing as 1t does at home.
the largest principles Of freedom of
thought and belief. is naturally de-
sirous to see its citizens enjoy in
other countries a reasonable freedom
from restrictions or disabilities impos-
ed by reason of religious faith. While
recognizing that the determination
Of the internal policy of d nation is
an attribute of it's sovereignty. the
United States has not hesitated 10 ex-
press this desire in considerable and
friendly ways on appropriate oc-
casions which have arisen at various
times in different countries. 1t should
pt7 opSCi NCb lioHC NCi, IIidL Sutil tCH-
reservations have never been put
upon basis of strict right. for il sure
ly will he appreciated that this Gov
ernment may not as a matter of right
demand that another government
shall grant TO religioniSts OF Amer;-
can nationality in the territory Of
that government the degree OF free
dom or privilege which it might de-
sire to sse extended to them"
Protestant Missions Affected.
The Department of state then
pointed out how limited was the op.
portunity for affirmative action" but
added this instruction:
IF it should eventually appear that
the enforcement of the decree in ques
ton WILL as a matter of fact. ter
inmate the privileges of freedom of
worship hitherto guaranteed under
Venezuelan law. the department will
of course. be glad to bring the matter
TO the attention Of the Venezuelan
government. with the expression of
its hope that Venezuela will continue
to eXhit the same tolerance in regard
to the regulation of the practice OF
different religions in it's territory
which has previously characterized
It's conduct in this regard"
In the instance referred to the
American Government was interesting
itself in some Protestant missions
which were affected by decree of the
Venezuelan government.
While the exact nature of the in
BtruCtlonS given to Mr.. Sheffield have
not been divulged, the statement may
he made that the Catholic controversy
has not been ignored by the Amer
f.say ND haf
which could be construed as interior
ence or a protest has been made OF
will be made, the hope Of the Amer
lean Government that the dispute will
be amicably settled and that foreign
religionists will not be molested can
he diScreetly expressed and will be
whenever the opportunity arises.
1t SO happens that the Catholic
leaders themselves are divided IN
America as to exactly what form OF
communication should be used by the
American Government. Many are dis
tinctly opposed to a protest. as they
do not wish To have anything done by
Washington which would aggraVate
the situation in Mexico or enable
President Gales to make an issue Of
foreign interference. But the major
ity of the Catholic leaders have been
indicating their wish to have the
American Government in ways best
known to itself make known its keen
interest in the development OF re
ligious tolerance in this hemisphere
whee<.c the United States Is looked
to not only ~ Assist its own nationals
but under the Monroe Doctrine idea
to aid also the nationals of other coun
tries.
copyright. 1896
POPE'S ADVICE EXPLAINED.