Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-18
W|[SONPRESSED
TO WARNMEX|CO
Files Show u: S. Catholics
Induced Him to Protest
Against intolerance.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Search OF the f1les Of the Depart
nnent OF State in the latest volumes
made public shows that both Presi.
dent Wilson and Secretary Of state
William Jennings Bryan felt that the
treatment by the Mexican authorities
Of Catholics -vAs a subject for in
formal diplomatic protest by the
American. Government.
1t also reveals that the Catholic
leaders in America we're not fully
satisfied and constantly eXerted pres
sure TO have the Washington Govern
ment go even further than WAS deem
ed expedient by the administra ton
here. on the whole it shows. how
ever. that the American Government
did make religious freedom a Cordi-
ton of the extension Of recognition
to the Carranza government which
since has been succeeded by other
governments in Mexico.
Wilson Letter Quoted.
The first document. under date of
August 81, 1914, namely. a letter from
President Wilson to the late Cardinal
Gibbons, says that the President has
spoken again and again" with re-
gard TO the treatment of priests and
adds. My influence will continue 10
be exerted in that direction. and.
hope. with increasing effect.
Secretary Bryan an November -,
1914. acknowledged letter from,
Father Tierney. chairman ~ the com
rnittee Of the Federation Of Catholic
I. ia
Regarding your request that this
Government withhold its recognition
~ any government in Mexico thu:
does not grant real freedom Of wor-
ship. the department informs You that
il will defer fnal decision as to
whether or not to accord recognition
10 a government in Mexico until the
time shall have arrived for making
such q decision. When that time ar
rtves the department assures YOU
that the question Of religious free
dom in Mexico will receive due con
sideration. The department has shown
YOUR letter with accompanying en-
closures to the President. and II has
received from him a written reply.
In which he save:
L. s. lnaerest Voiced.
II am distressed that our Catholic
fellow countrymen do not more full.
realize how frequent and serious our
attempts have been TO act in tho
interest of their people in Maxico.
Secretary Bryan. in letter dated
March 20, 1915 addressed to Father
Francis c. Kelley, president Of the
Catholic Church Extension Society,
wrote as follows:
The President has referred tn me
your important letter OF the 23rd Of
February concerning the present dis
tressinE situation in Mexico with the
request that tell you very def
nitely what the attitude and acts
Of the administration have been in
the matter OF the protection of the
rights Of conscience and Of worship
there, a matter in which The ad-
nninistration H.. need not say.
deeply interested as all true Amer
leans must be.
The question which has hulked
largest In political discussion in CON
nection with the present revolution
IN Mexico and In connection with
the revolution which preceded 1t. ie
the land question. But. of course.
economic questions are settled. If the
matter be Thought through to Its
real n0ATt. Only III Vt0Ct XIV
leave 10 the deeper things that are
spiritual. A democracy r1ust, ne sus
tanned by education and above and
beyond all, the full flower Of democ-
racy lies religious freedom. the
principle which the builders Of our
own republic made the crown Of the
whole structure.
Issue a Domestic One.
"The administration has mo- felt at
liberty 10 play any part in the internal
attaire Of Mexico except that Of friend
ana adviser 1t realizes that, Ny rea
son Of geographic proximity and many
historical circumstances known to all
the world, II Ia in some peculiar de
gree charged with the duty of safe
guarding, 30 far as 1t may. within the
limits Of International privilege. the
lives and rights Of foreigners in Mex
leo, and 1t has again and again made
the strongest possible representations
with regard to such matters to those
who have from time TO 'tin1A' assumed
responsibility for affairs in Mexico dur
ing the troublous months through
which that country has bAen passing
At every turn Of Affairs. moreover.
ana upon every report OF persecution.
It has advised and warned those who
are exercising authority NJ the fatal
effect any disregard for the lives or
rights OF those who represented re.
iigion or any attack upon liberty Of
conscience or worship would have
upon the opinion Of the people OF the
United States and Of the world. tHere
are given quotations from instructions
sent to diplomatic and consular repre-
sentativee in Mexico during 1914 and
1850
Felt Advice a Duty
~These dispatches selected from
those sent illustrated the spirit in
which the President and those asso-
otated with him have dealt with the
Mexican situation insofar as it affects
the subject Of religion. This admin
tstratior is. Of course. the servant
Of the American people. II seeks to
be governed by their convictions and
By the principles which have govern,
I'd their political life. II Mas felt II
to he it's duty to urge uron the leader
Of Mexico whenever an opportunity
offered. the principles and methods
~ action which must underlie all real
democracies as they have support ed
ours. These principles will in the
same way govern the administration
In handling every question that at
fects its relations with Mexico includ-
ing the ftnal question Of recognition
~ any government that may issue
cut cf the present revolution and give
promise Of stability and Justice. The
Mexican leaders will certainly know
that In order to command the sym
ra.thy and moral supper; Of America.
Mexico must have when her construc-
ton comes. Jus, land tenure, free
schools, and true freedom Of con
science and worship"
In October. 1918. when recog milton
was extended 70 the Cerfanza gov
eminent. the latter gave a written as.
surance TO the Wilson Bryan admin
istration that ALI the inha bitants