812.404/586
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico ( Lane )
Sir: You are informed that the Mexican Ambassador called at the Department on August 13, and during a conversation held with the Secretary of State the question of the church and clergy in Mexico was introduced. The Secretary told the Ambassador as he had previously done that he had of course conferred with Catholics who had been to see him, and that wherever the personal or property rights of American citizens were invaded by the Mexican Government, in violation of either Mexican law or the principles of international law, the Secretary had protested and would continue to do so. He added that he had even gone further in cases where the Ambassador’s government was probably within its legal rights in expelling American citizens, as he had done in the case of Archbishop Caruana, not basing his action upon a right of the United States Government but merely as a friendly country. The Secretary further said that he had informed the Ambassador of the communications the Department had received from Catholics throughout the country, and when he returned after a short absence from Washington he might desire to show the Ambassador the communications subsequently received. The Secretary also remarked that the religious [Page 706] regulations issued by President Calles were creating a very unfortunate sentiment in this country not only among Catholics but also among other classes of people, and while he did not claim the right to dictate to Mexico what her internal policies should be, he thought it wise to inform Señor Téllez of the sentiment in the United States. The Ambassador replied that he was aware of such sentiment and stated that in his opinion the religious matter would be adjusted.
I am [etc.]