New Britain herald., 1926-02-16
l5 NUNS OUSTED
 BY MEXICAN EDICT
Coyoacan Academy Closed by
 Okase''hother Superior Leaving

Mexico City, Feb. 16 Pl--Only one American thus far in the interior of
 Mexico has been involved in the
 Mexican governments announced in- tention 10 close all religious and ed ucational institutions and churches where foreign-born priests officiate. She Is Margarita Nj. Semple, mother superior Of inc Catholic Academy at l Coyoacan, who last week informed James k. Sheffield. the American ambassador, that she anticipated the 1 closing of her school. which appre- l hension proved correct. She is be- ing allowed to remain in the acad- cmy. although Is of the nuns have | been elected.
 Orders to Catholic institutions 70 close continue to be served by the government and there apparently is no intention 10 cease literal en- torcement Of the constitution, which prohibits the functioning of foreign born priests and the operation Of foreign religious schools. It is re- ported that foreign priests. prin- cipally Spaniards, are on their way 10 the capital, some Of them under government orders. presumbly for deportation, others are said 10 be preparing voluntarily 10 quit the country. X considerable number al ready have been sent back to Spain
 IL is understood that Madam Semplos," as she described herself 10 the American embassy, is consider ing leaving Mexico. regardless of not her deportation is being consid- cred. The government has not an- nounced whether l. intends to deport foreign nuns, but it has made it per fectly plain that 1t does intend to de- port every foreign priest in the country unless he ceases his official church functions
 Article III of the constitution un. der which religious schools are be- ing closed says primary, interme- diate and higher instruction impart- cd in both official and private schools must be laical and that no religious body or the minister of any religious sect will be allowed to direct schools of primary education.
 Ambassador Sheffield will remain silent until the Washington gov ornment instruCts him concerning Madame SempIe. IL is known that the ambassador several days ago in private conversation with Foreign Minister Saonz, who at present is on a tour In Monterey with President Gales, acquainted the minister with the Semplo situa- tion, although he made no official representation,
 Although the Mexico City core spondents apparently have not 1 been informed of action by the l government in religious matters against any but Catholics, de- spatches from Eagle Pass, Texas, say that the Rev. J. L. Phillips president Of the Peoples institute of Piedras Negras, lying across the Rio Grande, and seven women i teachers who were given 2t hours ! to leave Mexico have arrived in Eagle Pass. The school has been supported by the Methodist Epis- copal church, South. Mir, Phillips said the school was ordered closed as an objectionable educational in stitution. The Mexican federal off cers who served inc order of clos ing treated the Americans with courtesy.
 The Mexican students gave venr to tears when the Americans were ordered out and tho toNnspeoplo held q demonstration Of sympathy, | The teachers were confninc their instructions Of the children 70 the l English language and no religion in any form was being imparted. Texas text books were used.
 The officers Of the Mexican de- partm"nt Of the Methodist church, | South, are to start an immediate l of religious conditions 1 in Mexico. Bishop James Cannon ! Of Richmond, Va. has been in- formed of the forcing Of thh RcN. MT. Phillips and his teachers our of Mexico. l.