Evening star., 1926-02-16
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
ED|CT IS UPHELD
Mexican Court Rules Govern
ment Has Right to Close
Institutions.
BY the Associated Press.

MEXICO CITY, February IA
court test of the Mexican govern
ment's right to close religious and ed
ucational institutions has resulted in
victory for the government.
The authorities of the Fra nciscan
Asylum filed an application for an in
junction with the district court in an
endeavor to prevent an execution OF
an order to close the institution. The
court rejected the application on the
ground that the governments course
was permitted under the constitution.
The Colegio Nuestra Sonora del
Pillar. an educational institution. was
closed yesterday without incidents or
arrests.
Only one American thus far in the
interior of Mexico has been involved
in the governments plans to close all
religious and educational institutions
and churches where foreign born
priests officiate.
Left at Academy.
She is Margarita NJ. Semple, mother
superior of the Catholic Academy at
Coyoacan. Last week she informed
James r. Sheffield, the American Am
bassador, that she anticipated the
closing of her school, which apprehen-
sion proved correct. She is being al
lowed to remain in the academy, al
though Is Of the nuns there have been
elected
There apparently is no intention to
cease literal enforcement of the con-
stitutfon. which prohibits the func-
tioning Of foreign-born priests and the
operation Of foreign religious schools.
Some Spanish priests already have
been deported.
1t is understood that Madame Sem
ple,' as she described herself to the
American embassy. is considering Ieav-
ing Mexico, regardless of whether or
not her deportation is being consid-
cred. The government has not an
nounced whether it intends to deport
foreign nuns.
Allows Lay Schools Only.
Article 3 Of the constitution, under
which religious schools are being
closed, says primary, intermediate and
higher instruction impaired 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 pri.
mary education.
Ambassador Sheffield will remain
silent until the Washington Govern.
ment instructs him concerning Nine.
SeIHple. IL IS KNOWN tnat the Am
bassador several days ago in a pri.
vate conversation with Foreign Minis.
ter Saenz, who at present Is on tour
in Monterey with President Gales
acquainted the minister with the
Semple situation. although he made no
official representation.
Dispatches from Eagle Pass, Tex,
say that the Rev. j. l.. Phillips, presi.
dent Of the Peoples Institute of
Piedras Negras, just across the Rio
Grande, and seven woman teachers
who were given "a hours to leave
Mexico, have arrived in Eagle Pass.
The school has been supported by the
Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Mr.. Phillips said the school was or.
dered closed.
The Mexican students gave vent to
tears when the Americans were or.
dered out, and the townspeople held a
demonstration of sympathy. The
teachers were confining their instruc.
tions Of the children 10 the English
language and no religion in any form
was being impaired. Texas text books
were used.
The officers Of the Mexican depart
ment Of the Methodist Church South
are to start an immediate investiga-
ton of religious conditions in Mexico.
Bishop James Cannon Of Richmond.
Va, has been informed Of the expul.
sion Of the Rev. Mr.. Phillips and his
teachers.
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