Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-07
MEXICAN FARLEY
TO BEGIN MONDAY
Church Controversy Session
May Be Mere Ratification
of Terms Made.

BY the Associated Press
MEXICO CITY, June Actual
negotiations for settlement of Mexico's
church-state problem are expected to
begin here Monday morning between
Mgr. Leopoldo Ruiz Flores, archbishop
of Michoacan; Bishop Pascual Diaz Of
Tabasco, and government officials.
Authoritative sources have revealed
that the two prelates, the former of
whom is understood to have received
a special papal commission for the task,
are expected to arrive here tomorrow.
United States Ambassador Dwight w.
Morrow and Manuel Teller Mexican
Ambassador at Washington, will also be
here fact labeled officially as a COIN
cidence, but which many believe to
have direct connection with the ne
gotiations. Mr.. Morrow particularly
has been foremost In his desire that
the problem which has so long agitated
Mexico be solved.
Exact nature of the negotiations be-
tween the government and the Roman
Catholic Church has not been divulged
but it is known that church officials
wasted no time in instituting them
after the recent statement OF President
Portes Gil indicating willingness to con-
slider a settlement. Some even said the
understanding had been reached and
that the proceeding this next week
would be largely in the nature OF mere
ratification.
Trouble Dates Far Back.
Although the Mexican religious prob
lem has been acute for only three years,
it really goes back much further than
that. The Mexican constitution of 1857.
fathered by Benito JuareZ contained
provisions for naturalization Of church
property and intimidation Of ecclesias-
teal privilege.
The JuareZ government was never
strong enough to enact and enforce leg
islation making the provisions effective,
and with the accession of Portirio Diaz
rs Mexican president shortly afterward
the church regained its old influence,
this continuing until the overthrow OF
Diaz in 1910 by Francisco I. Madero.
The Mexican constitution Of 1917,
given birth during the administration
OF Venustiana CarranZa, contained the
old provisions made even more rigor-
Gus. During the reconstruction admin
istration of Gen. Alvara Obregon 1920
24O, however they were allowed to pass
unnoticed. and it was not until 1926.
in the administration of President
Gales, that enforcement was attempted.
There might have been a settlement
even then save for one provision, that
requiring the clergy to register with
the Mexican government. This the
ecclesiaSticS protested. Finding the
government implacable, the espiscopate
their churches. the order taking effect
August 81, 1926.
Religious Services Secret.
Since then, nearly three years, the
only religious services IN Mexico have
been secret. Those church buildings
and cathedrals which have remained
open bore placards stating they are the
property of the Mexican government.
Priests and their superiors charged
with violations of the religious laws have
been prosecuted relentlessly many seek
ing exile, others being depcrted.
A Roman Catholic nun. Mother Con-
repcion Aceveda de la Llata, was con-
victed as intellectual author" OF the
assassination of President-elect Obre-
gon last Summer and sentenced to 90
years Imprisonment. She is now at
the Mexican island prison colony on
Islas Tres Marias. off the Western
Mexican coast. The Mexican govern
ment has accused various insurgent
movements at times with having Roman
Catholic backing, although these
charges have always been vigorously
denied by the prelates themselves.
MORROW AT SAN ANTONIO.