Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-10

The bitter conflict between church
and state in Mexico has inspired
widespread comment from the news
papers of the United States. but for
the most part the commentators
wisely withhold opinions on the ma
terial issues at stake. They Show
rather sincere concern over the pos
sible effects of the struggle upon the
MeXicans themselves. regardless of
their spiritual or political affiliations.
THE government regulations 1t Is
pointed out by the New Orleans Item,
restrict the personnel OF the clergy
of all denominations to natives, and
forbid them to take part in educa-
tional work or in political affairs,
even when thus restricted. Other
restrictions are also imposed. The
tensively established there, is most
widely affected. Mexico has a heavy
Catholic population. 1t Is likely that
good many of them are even more
affected by the formal observances of
their religion than a corresponding
body of Catholics in the United States
or England would be. 1t thus be-
comes question what vexations and
embarrassments may result to the
government from the withdrawal of
| the mass and sacraments, even If
| body of communicates accustomed to
have recourse to such observances."
THE present clash between church
and state" explains the Brooklyn
Eagle, lis the outcropping of a cen
tury-old contest Mexico has never
been altogether free from religious
controversy. 1t has played a part
in all the changes that have kept
that country in turmoil during the
years. Broadly, the clerical faction
has been conservative and opposed
to the revolutionary movements that
were regarded as radical" The Kali
amazoo Gazette suggests that 'if Mex
leo had started the task of separat
| ing church from state centuries ago,
| the country would not now be facing
| one Of the most serious crises in
church history. Yet for some reason. :"
continues the Gazette, president Cal
les and his associates are disposed
to accomplish their purpose at one
full swoop, regardless OF what 1t may
cost. For the time being, church
and state are opposed in what prom
Uses to be a bitter test of endurance.
and, whichever side may win In the
end, Mexico and the Mexican people
will be the principal sufferers
"Once upon time" says the
Pittsburgh Chronicle Photograph, the
French government decided to 'abol-
ish Cod but 1t did not get very far
with its program. The Mexican Of
ficials disavow any atheistic inten-
lions and claim that their action is
taken to insure the stability Of the
government, but to place religious in
situations under governmental dlcta-
ton must be abhorrent to all true be-
levers. No previous administration
felt 1t necessary to invoke such re-
pressive measures"
There Is need for a sympathetic at
tempt to understand a conflict" ad-
vtses the Jackson Citizen-Patriot,
from which, through the good for
tune of our history, we are happily
spared. In Mexico there has been
none of the conflict between Chris
tian denominations out of which de-
veloped our own principle Of religious
tolerance and non-interference Of
state with church or church with
state" The Baltimore Evening Sun,
however, asserts that great and APP
parently increasing numbers Of people
in the United States are exerting
every effort to produce a. like condi-
ton of affairs In this country. The
effort to involve the churches in poll
tics and to involve the Government in
religious affairs" continues the Sun.
never ceases and any one who dares
protest Is branded as a devils advo-
cate" The Chattanooga Times also
maintains that lobbyists from some
of the UNCONVENTIONAL churches have
made themselves conspicuous in the
cloakroon1s of Congress and the Legis-
laturcS, and In % doing they are