812.404/338

Press Release Issued by the Department of State, March 9, 1926

On the 4th instant the State Department instructed the American Ambassador at Mexico City,86a Mr. James R. Sheffield, to use his good offices on behalf of the American citizen, the Reverend Mr. F. J. Krill, who was reported to have been threatened with arrest in the State of Vera Cruz.

It was also suggested to the Ambassador that he express the earnest hope that in this or similar cases American citizens would not be [Page 704] obliged because of their religious beliefs or practices to undergo actual hardship or injury, and that sufficient time be accorded them for the arrangement of their private affairs and the assembling of their personal effects.

It was further suggested that Mr. Sheffield state that it is the belief of this Government that from the point of view of comity, if for no other reason, this Government had the right to expect full consideration to be shown to American churchmen, and this Government is naturally concerned that American citizens should not suffer unduly from constitutional disabilities or restrictions imposed by sudden and rigorous application of law upon religious faiths.

The Reverend Mr. Krill’s case was brought to the attention of the Foreign Office by the Ambassador and the Ambassador reports that on the afternoon of the 8th he received a telegram from Jalapa whither the Reverend Mr. Krill had gone to consult State authorities which read as follows:

“My case satisfactorily settled. (Signed) F. J. Krill.”

The authorities further reported that they were disposed to permit the Reverend Mr. Krill to remain in Mexico.

  1. Telegram not printed.