The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1951-10-26


General Clark had accepted nomi
nation to the Vatican post only
with the understanding that he
could keep his military status. Al
the age of SIS, the Commander oi
the u, S. Army Field Forces is be-
lieved to have brilliant career
ahead of him and is mentioned as
possible future Chief of Staff.
The White House sources made ii
clear that the Presidents reluc-
tance to make a recess appoint.
ment stemmed from the legal ques-
tion involving General Clark's mil
itary status. The Congress has act
ed on neither the nomination nor
the special bill clearing the way
for General Clark to take the post.
1t is understood the White House
has been advised that General
Clark could not accept a recess
appointment to the diplomatic
corps, under present circumstances,
without retiring from military serv.
ice. ,oa, oatsa -a.
ProtesfAnfs Serve Notice tslA
Meanwhile, persons attached to
the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations said Protestant groups
had already served notice that they
want to be heard in opposition TO
the Clark nomination, when public
hearings are held.
Protestant spokesmen opposing
the Presidents action claimed that
it will divide the country and that
it is contrary to the American prin.
ciple of the separation of church
and state.
President Truman's pastor here
in Washington, the Rev. DR.. Ed
ward H. Pruden of the First Bap-
fist Church, said that he had done
"all that was possible for anyone
to do" to prevent the nomination
of General Clark to the Vatican
post. He said that mot only in an
individual capacity, but in coopera-
tion with other Protestant officials,
/ did my utmost to point out the
great dangers" of such action.
Glenn l.. Archer, executive direc-
tor of Protestants and other Amer
leans United for Separation OF
Church and State POAU), was
quoted as saying his organization
felt President Truman had timed
the appointment so as to resume
diplomatic ties with the Vatican
without the advice and consent of
the Senate"
Mr.. Archer predicted a wave OF
indignation over the nomination
He said hundred mass meetings
under P0AU auspices are planned
"from Canada to the Gulf and from
San Francisco to Boston" He sale
Paul Blanshard, author of anti
Catholic books, will address q
meetings beginning in Baltimore
on November 5.
Archer expressed reasonable
certainty" that the Senate will no
confirm the Clark appointment, bu
warned that if it does his grouI
"will investigate legal means fol
testing its constitutionality, with
view to an ultimate ruling by tht
Supreme Court" He said his or
ganization may also go into cour
to demand that s'the Roman Cath
! olic hierarchies" in the Unitet
States be compelled to register a
foreign agents"
IF we are going to recognize th'
Vatican as a foreign power" h
said, 'for the purpose of sending
an ambassador, we should recog
nize it as a foreign power in al
ways, 1t can't be church one min
ute and a state the next"
The Rev. DR.. Joseph M. Dawson
executive director of the Baptis
Joint Committee on Public Affairs
said state Baptist conventions vii
be held throughout the country il
the next few weeks, and that the
will be asked to adopt resolution
of protest. He reported receipt of
telephone call from a minister i
Pittsburgh urging that petition
against the appointment be diStrit
uted at the door of every Protest
ant church in the country.
Bishop G. Bromley OMAN. Mett
odist Bishop of New York, wa
quoted as saying: II regret and
believe the President will regre
this unwise, unnecessary and III
American decision
Bishop Henry Knox Sherril
president of the National Counc