Evening star., 1951-10-22
Recess Appointment
OF Envoy 10 Vatican
Is Held Unlikely
Continued From First Page.)


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exempt him from an 1870 law
prohibiting Army officers from
holding civilian posts in Govern
ment. Congress adjourned without
action on either proposal.
There was little, if any, crit
icism of the Presidents selection
of Gen. Clark.
But professionally made from
the pulpit-and starting with Mr..
Truman's own pastor, the Rev.
Edward Hughes Pruden of the
First Baptist Church of Washing
ton. came from Protestants
throughout the Nation who pro-
tested that the move violates the
constitutional injunction that
church and state shall be sep
arate.
Did "All Possible"
DR.. Pruden told his congrega-
ton yesterday that he did "all
that was possible for any one to
do" to discourage the nomination
OF an Ambassador.
Not only in an individual ca
pacity, but in cooperation with
other Protestant officials, 1 did my
utmost to point out the great
dangers which seemed to me to
lie in such an agreement" he
declared.
DR.. Pruden made a call to every
citizen who shares these views"
between now and the time Con-
gresS returns to "use all honor
able means to persuade the men,
bers of the Senate to refuse
confirmation Of this nomination.
While those who have reached
the conclusion that representa-
ton at the Vatican is wise are un-
doubtedly of the opinion that this
is IN the best interest of our coun-
try" he asserted, many of US
cannot honestly share this con-
clusion. We are therefore bound
by conscience to voice our pro-
tests"
Mass Meetings Planned.
In statement today, the direc-
tor of Protestants and Other!
Americans United for Separation
of Church and State, said that if
the Vatican is recognized "as a.
foreign power for the purpose of
sending an Ambassador, this
country should recognize it as a
foreign power in all ways"
Glenn l.. Archer, director of the
organization, made the statement
as he announced plans for series
OF mass meetings throughout the
country to protest the Clark nomi-
nation.
The Vatican cannot eat its
cake and have it, too" he de-
clared. 1t can't be a church one
minute and a state the next. If
we are going to recognize it as
foreign power for the purpose of
sending an Ambassador, then we
should recognize it as a foreign
power in all ways, and require
American members of the Cath /
olic hierarchy to register as foreign
agents."
Speakers for the mass meetings.
Mr.. Archer said, will include: !
Methodist Bishop C. Bromley Ok
nam; Paul Blanshard, author: the
Rev. Louie D. Newton, Baptist
leader of Atlanta; DR.. Edwin Nc
Nelll Poteat, president of POAU, !
and DR.. Charl O. Williams, past
president of the National Educa-
tion Association.
First reaction from the Vatican
itself indicated delight with the
appointment, and that, too.
seemed to be the sentiment of
Catholic churchmen in this coun-
try.
Gen. Clark Praised.
The Most Rev. Patrick J. Nc
Cormick, rector of Catholic Uni
verslty here, praised Gen. Clark
and said, Il am glad to see our
country taking advantage of rep
resentation at the Vatican
Lawmakers appeared reluctant
TO express any sentiment. But I
Senate Foreign Relations Com /
mlttee sources said that group al
ready has received a large volume
OF protests. And, privately, some
Senators indicated sharp annoy /,
ance over Mr.. Truman's timing
IN sending the nomination to Cap
ltal Hill only a few hours before
adjournment on Saturday.
That left the Senate the choice
OF passing up any action until
January-Which they did-or de-
lay their vacation for an indefl- |
mite period.
But it also laid the groundwork
for a possible recess appointment
OF the general to the Vatican post,
and provided the White House
with an argument-when the con-
flrmation issue does come up
that the Senate had a chance to-
stop the move and didn't take it.
Cherished Principle.
DR.. Pruden based his protest en-
tirely on what he called violation
of ''one of the most cherished