812.404/1541

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations ( Pittman ) to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: In accordance with the custom of our Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate, I have the honor to enclose to you herewith S. Res. 70, introduced by Senator Borah, for such comments and advice as you may deem proper.

Sincerely,

Key Pittman
[Enclosure]

Senate Resolution 70, 74th Congress, 1st Session

Resolution

Whereas serious antireligious outbreaks have occurred in Mexico under the regime of the National Revolutionary Party now in control of the Government of Mexico; and

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Whereas the persecutions of Christians of all faiths now being practiced in Mexico have aroused indignation and protest throughout the civilized world; and

Whereas American citizens of the Christian faiths have been outraged and reviled, their homes invaded, their civil rights abridged, and their lives placed in jeopardy; and

Whereas the vindicative antireligious policy of the present Mexican Government has arbitrarily and unwarrantably restricted the number of ministers, priests, and rabbis, permitted to officiate in some States within the boundaries of Mexico, and has, in other States, entirely forbidden and prohibited the ordinary spiritual ministrations of clergymen of all creeds, thus resulting in the complete denial of the right of the people to practice the religion of their own choosing; and

Whereas it has been the national policy of the Government and the dominant revolutionary party of Mexico to discourage religious profession and obliterate religious worship; and

Whereas the present Mexican Government prohibits the time-honored practice of private religious instruction and education of children and compels parents as an only alternative to ignorance to educate their children in schools teaching hostility to orthodox religion; and

Whereas such antireligious activity in Mexico is contrary to the traditions of freedom of conscience and liberty of religious worship which are the cherished attributes of all civilized government; and

Whereas many distinguished leaders of the Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic faiths as well as outstanding religious and interdenominational organizations and societies have emphatically denounced and registered protest against such policies of the present Government of Mexico; and

Whereas the Government of Mexico has even encouraged an economic boycott against those sincerely professing and practicing the Christian religion; and

Whereas Christians are expelled from public office and driven from professions; and

Whereas Christian residents of Mexico who complain of such intolerance are flagrantly mistreated and abused: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate of the United States deems it fitting and proper to protest the antireligious campaign and practices of the present rulers of Mexico; and that it views with the gravest concern such ruthless persecution of helpless men and women who have become the innocent victims of antireligious persecution; be it further

Resolved, That it strongly condemns the cruelties and brutalities that have accompanied the campaign of the present Mexican Government against the profession and practice of religious beliefs by our nationals of all religious faiths now domiciled in Mexico; be it further

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Resolved, That it calls upon the Government of Mexico in the name of humanity to cease denying fundamental and inalienable rights to those of our nationals who may be resident in Mexico regardless of religious convictions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate, or a subcommittee thereof, be authorized to conduct hearings and receive such evidence as may be presented relating to religious persecution and antireligious compulsion and agitation in Mexico for the purpose of determining the policy of the United States in reference to this vital problem and in what way we may best serve the cause of tolerance and religious freedom.

For the purposes of this resolution the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, is authorized to hold such hearings, to sit and act at such times and places during the sessions and recesses of the Senate in the Seventy-fourth Congress, to employ such clerical and other assistants, to require by subpena or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, to administer such oaths, to take such testimony, and to make such expenditures, as it deems advisable. The cost of stenographic services to report such hearings shall not be in excess of 25 cents per hundred words. The expenses of the committee, which shall not exceed $10,000, shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman.