Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-14
REGARDING MEXICAN RE-
PORTS

The reports from Mexico are con-
hicting. This should be expected.
We should not jump at conclusions
because Of any Of them. This has
been the best attitude to assume
toward reports in general from that
country. Much greater is the neces-
sity of doing this during the bitter
controversy now raging in Mexico
over the church and state problems.
A recent report brings a tale Of
priests and people shot down in
front of their churches, followed by
an official denial Of this. Another
report has President Gales say that
the Protestant churches have &C
cepted the regulations. What is
termed the Good Will Mission is re-
ported as declaring that a program
of education and social reform is
necessary for the rehabilitation of
Mexico and that Gales Is endeavor-
ing to carry out such a program.
Now while reports conflict and the
intelligent reader in search of all the
truth bearing on this controversy is
and should be unable from what he
seads to determine just what may
be an unbiased conclusion, he may,
for one thing, turn to the require
nents Of the constitution of Mexico,
which the Gales Government says it
is endeavoring to put into effect
These were recently epitomized by
The Associated Press, which states
that these regulations based on
changes made in the Constitution in
1857 and affirmed in that Of 1917 pro-
vide:
No foreign clergymen may func-
ton in Mexico.
Church ownership of property is
forbidden.
All church property reverts to the
state.
RELIGIOUS instruction in schools
converts and monasteries is forbid
den.
It is illegal for clergy or religious
periodicals to criticize the govern
ment.
Compare these with conditions
obtaining in this country. In doing
SO fairness would seem to require
consideration of the different sta
tus Of general enlightment in
this country, where churchly
domination Of thought would hardly
be as powerful as among those pos
sessed of less general knowledge. We
do not require church leaders to re-
frain from criticism of the Govern
nlent. Such criticism, Of course
would not be so effective in the
United States as in Mexico. We do
not forbid religious instruction in
church schools. We do not forbid
church ownership of property but go
to the other extreme Of freeing 1T
from taxation in what many believe
too many instances. We permit for
eign clergymen to function. Mani
testify conditions in Mexico and In
this country are not closely COM
parable and we will not arrive at all
the truth by likening them. Neither
will 1t be fair to assume that those
convinced Of a change in Mexico are
facing conditions such as exist in
this country.
We believe that in our country
there exists a profound conviction
respecting the separation Of church
49, So .1x a a.
here to this in all details but would
resent what might seem to be an
effort to upset 1t. Right now, In
this State, we are celebrating on a
question about appropriating money
to sectarian institutions. Some be-
,lieve we have not been conforming
closely enough to the principle of
separation of church and state, that
state aid has tempted us away from
adherence. But-and this Is I'M
portant-we are equally opposed to
having the state interfere with the
teaching Of religion. We would not
eliminate the church and substitute
the state in its place. The pro-
iNlSlOuS VI thS AhCNiSoh NOAiSeASu|i
would seem capable of being SO used.
Opponents say this Is contemplate
ed, that the Mexicans now in con-
troll are bolshevists and wish to de-
stroy religion. But bolshevism was
not existent in 1857, when constitu-
tional changes were made, although
the teachings Of communism un-
doubtedly have been promulgated In
Mexico In recent years. There ap-
pears to be some evidence that the
methods employed In soviet Russia
tor destroying the influence Of the
church over the masses have en-
couraged certain of the Mexican
leaders.
Another feature, which we cannot
7 overlook. IL the attitude Of these
same leaders toward property rights
OF Americans In Mexico. While it is
not surprising that Mexicans should
have resented some of the things,
which have been done by American
property owners. It hasabeen neces-
eaYy for our Government 10 insist