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VOL. VIII. NO. S.
AUGUSTA, GA., APRIL 16, 1927
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II PRIESTS REPORTED Keen Interest in C. P. A. Savannah
DEAD II CHINESE WAR Convention Reported in Chicago
Other Religious in Danger,
But American Priests
to Leave For Missions
(By N. ('.. \Y. C. News Service)
Shanghai, China.—Two French
Catholic priests have been hilled
during the disturbances in China,
and tIre fate of six others is in
doubt, according to reports of the
laic,si developments of the chaos
there. The slain priests arc Jesuits.
There is every indication of a
widespread and serious interference
with the missionary work being
carried on in this country. It has
been reported bore that the Catholic
churcli at Nanking has been Jooted
and burned and that the missions
a! that place have suffered generally
that while a few ChYistianized
Chinese attached to the Nanking
University protected their teachers
the majority went over to the
Cantonese; that the missionaries
have virtually evacuated the interior
south of the Yangtze, and that there
have been new arid unmistakable
signs of “Red” influence and ac
tivity.
Fathers Vanari and Dugout, were
killed at Nuking, officials advices
have it. They also say that the
Catholic church there was destroyed
after looting and that the missions
in general have fared badly at that
place.
Paris.—The Procurator of the
l-'rench Mission at Nanking whose
headquarters is in this city lias re
ceived confirihation of the deaths
of Fathers Vanari and Dugout.
Father Vanari was an Italian and
Father Dugout a Frenchman.
Fathers Verdi or and Bureau, col-
• leagues of the dead religious, escap
ed aboard the French dispatch boat
Alerte, it was said. The fate of 193
priests is a matter of grave con
cern with the advance of the Can
tonese.
Msgr. Dc Gu'ebriant, head of the
foreign missions here, said that 300
priests in southwest China seeming
ly arc safe. None have been killed
he said, hut they have been com
pelled to abandon their churches
and take refuge among their Christ
ian Chinese friends. Msgr. De Gue-
briant is in receipt of a cablegram
which characterizes the situation as
“extremely grave.”
Passionists in Danger.
Union City, N. .1.—Alarming hos
tility in China not only to foreign
ers, but to foreign Christian mis
sion work directly, is reported in
letters received at St. Michael’s
Passiouist Monastery here from
American Passionist missionaries in
China. St, Michael’s is the residence
of the Order’s Provincial, the Very
Rev. Stanislaus Grennan, C. P.
Other information reaching here
is that 14 Passiouist missioners and
three Sisters of St. Joseph are
trapped far in the interior of China,
facing a grave fate if conditions be
come worse. Two Passionists also
are at Hankow, but the five Sisters
of Charity working witli the Order
and eight young Passionists arc safe
in Shanghai.
It is indicated in the missionaries’
letters that the anti-mission spirit,
horn to a large extent of anti-
foreignism and anti-imperialism, lias
(Continued on page 8)
Presiding Officer at C. P. A.
Convention at Savannah
S. A. BALDUS
Mr. Baldus. who rvas elected
president of the Catholic Press
Association of the United States
and Canada at Its meeting in De
troit last year, will preside at
all the sessions of the associa
tion’s convention in Savannah
May 19-2J. Mr. Baldus is man
aging editor of Extension Mag
azine, Chicago, which has the
largest circulation of any relig
ious periodical in the world. He
is the author of a leading book
on economics, “The New Capi
talism,” and is one of the most
widely known Catholic editors in
America. His home is in Chi
cago.
ATLANTIC MONTHLY GETS
GOV. SMITH’S ANSWER
Reply to Marshall Will Be
Made Public By Magazine
April 25, Publication States
New York—Governor Alfred E.
Smith’s reply to the open letter by
Charles C. Marshall, New York at
torney, published in the April is
sue of The Atlantic Monthly, which
invited him to define his position
as a Catholic and a candidate for the
Presidency toward the Church and
State, has been received by the mag
azine and acknowledged by Bllery
Sedgwick, editor of tlie publication.
Commenting on receipt of the
Governor’s communication, which he
said was about 4,000 words long, and
“an able, and impressive document”
Mr. Sedgwick said that the letter
would appear in the May issue of
tlie magazine, which goes on sale
April 25. The letter will be released
for tlie morning newspapers of that
date.
When seen at the Hotel Biltmore,
Governor Smith smiled and said:
“That look one solid night out of
my life. 1 skeletonized the reply
last Saturday, worked on it Sunday
and completed it on Monday.”
Pontiff’s Attitude Toward League
of Nations Explained in Paris
Paris.—Declaring that the Holy
Father is always ready to support
the action of the League of Nations
in behalf of peace and justice hut
that he does not desire personal
representation at Geneva, the ltev.
Father dc la Briere, speaking at a
large public meeting here, described
the cooperation which the Catho
lic Study Union and the Lea
gue of French Catholics for In
ternational Justice are giving the
efforts of the League of Nations.
The meeting was the result of an
invitation extended by the Executive
Committee of the League of Nations
to the representatives of the larger
Catholic organizations to promote a
public meeting for the purpose of
affirming the attachment of their
coreligionists to the cause of peace
Special Cars Will Carry
Catholic Editors to Georgia
From Chicago, Cincinnati,
Washington and Elsewhere
(jly N. C. W. C. News Service).
Chicago, 11L—S. A. Baldus, presi
dent of the Catholic Press Asocia-
tion, reports that unusual interest is
being evinced in the seventeenth
annual convention which will he
held in Savannah, Ga., May 19, 20,
21. The convention headquarters
will be at the De Solo Hotel, where
all sessions will he held. Richard
Reid, 1409 Lamar Ruilding, Augusta,
Ga., has charge of hotel arrange
ments.
Three of the leading railroads,
With through service to Savannah,
have agreed to provide a special
car for members going lo the con
vention in parties of fifteen, either
by way of Cincinnati, or by way ot
Chicago, or from eastern points by
way of Washington. Negotiations
for members coming from western
points are under way.
The officers of the Press Associa
tion are making a great effort to
have a full attendance of active
members; and a goodly representa
tion of associate members. A plan
lo enlarge the scope of Ihe Litera
ture Bureau and to increase the as
sociate memberships of the Associa
tion by converting it into a Nation
al Catholic Press League of Writers
with city units and slate branches
will be launched at the Convention.
A change in program is announc
ed. The ltev. James M. Gillis, C. S.
P., editor of the Catholic World, lias
accepted a special invitation extend
ed to him to discuss the paper “The
Standard of a Catholic Magazine,’
which will he read bv Mary Synon.
nationally known journalist and fic
tion writer. Others to discuss this
paper are Michael Williams, editor
of The Commonweal, and the Rev.
Faustin Hack. O. F M., managing ed
itor of the Franciscan Herald.
Tlie paper, “The Fiction in Catho
lic Magazines,” to he read by tin
Rev. Claude J. Perniin, S. J., w’ill he
discussed as origiually announced,
by Agnes R. Martin, assoe’ate edi
tor of Good Counsel Magazine, and
Hie Rev. Benedict Brown, O. S. B.,
editor of The Grail.
Clergy of Diocese to Be
Guests at C. P. A.
and of promising their active svm-
pattiy to the work of Geneva.
Cardinal Dubois was represented
at the meeting by the Rt. Rev.
Emanuel Chaplal, Auxiliary Bishop
of Paris. One of the principal
speakers was Bishop Jullien of Arras,
who pointed out that peace among
the nations, so ardently desired by
the Church, will not he possible un
til a new spirit, the international
spirit which must proceed from the
Christian spirit, has been developed
throughout the world. Ollier speak
ers were M. Francois dc Monthon,
president of the French Catholic
YoutF^.Association, and M. Zirnlield
president of the French Confedera
tion of Christian Workmen, who de
scribed tlie Services which their
respective organizations can render
to the cause of peace.
(By N. C. W. C. News Service.)
Chicago.—One of the unique fea
tures of the Catholic Press Associa
tion’s convention at Savannah, on
May 19. 20, 21, is that the clergy of
the entire diocese will be invited to
attend all the sessions. This is a
new and permanent rule adopted by
the Executive Committee at its Jan
uary meeting. An official invitation
wiu he extended to the clergy every
year in the name of. the Catholic
Press Association through the chair
man of the committee in the city in
which the convention is to he held
This invitation to tlie clergy of the
diocese to convention sessions fol
lows a recommendation made in the
report of the Press Month Commit
tee. Two years ago the Association
launched a nation-wide Catholic
Press Month campaign, which was
conducted at considerable expense
to the Association and its individual
members.
Every effort was made to arouse
enthusiasm and cooperation on the
part of Catholic agencies. The priests
of all the parishes were approached
The Catholic Press Association
through its Press Month Comittee,
sent an official letter to all the pas
tors in the United States—-a total of
11,340, asking their cooperation with
in their parishes during the month
of February, Catholic Press Month
While the committee reported that
out of the 11,340, only 370 respond
ed, it was at great pains to explain
that though the response was mea
gre it was not to be construed as
indifference on tlie part of the cler
gy to the Catholic Press, but rath
er as proof that the Catholic Press
Association had not sufficiently im
pressed itself on the minds of our
clergy; that it had failed to famil
iarize the pastors of Hie United
States with its existence, and its
aims and objects. It insisted that
our priests had given ample proof of
their interest in the progress and
welfare of the Catholic Press, and
urged that the Association avail it
self of every opportunity lo bring
1 lie clergy into closer contact with
the Catholic men and women who
are in control of our Press, partic
ularly to the conventions.
(Continued on Page 2)
Bishop of Harrisburg to U.S. AMBASSADOR
Attend C. P .A.Convention y^g^ gfp^gj
MEXICAN CHURCH
Rt. Rev. Philip R. McDevitt, D. D.
Bishop McDevitt is chairman
of the Department of Press and
Publicity of the National Cath
olic Welfare Conference and is
expected to be a guest of honor
at the Savannah convention of
the Catholic Press Association of
the United States and Canada.
A native of Philadelphia, where
he was born July 12, 1858, Bish
op McDevitt was educated there,
at La Salle College and St.
Charles Seminary. Overbrook,
and ordained in 1883. He is an
educator of national reputation,
having been superintendent of
parish schools In the Archdio
cese from 1899 to 1916, when hg
became Bishop of Harrisburg.
He is an author of note, was
president of the American Cath
olic Historical Society in 1910,
was created a Domestic Prelate
six years before he became Bish
op, and is one of the most schol-
larl;- of the members of the
American hierarchy.
CITIES PERN TD
OBSERVE GOOD FRIDAY
Business Activity to Cease
in Detroit in Afternoon—
California Court Suspends
(By N. C. W. C. News Service.)
Detroit, Mich.—Business activities
:n Detroit and olher cities virtually
cease for three hours on Good Fri
day. while citizens pay religious tri
bute lo the Passion of Our Lord. Of
fices, stores and factories will he
closed here from noon to 3 o’clock
while thousands attend religious
ceremonies all over the city.
The Holy Name Society, which di
rects tlie campaign for the distribu
tion of window cards advocating
cessation of work, lias had printed
35 000 cards.
indications are that the closing of
stores, factories, and offices will he
even more general in Detroit this
year than in tlie past. The Detroit
common council passed a resolution
last week, advocating the three-hour
suspension of business. The Coun
cil by resolution, which was intro
duced by Councilman Castalor, pro-
(Continued on page 11.)
Influence of Catholicism
There “Generally Benevol
ent and Uplifting” Former
Envoy Says in New Book
(By X, C. W. G. News Service.)
New York.—In Ills new hook,
“Diplomatic Episodes in Mexico,
Belgium and Chile,” lo he published
April 15, by Doubleday, Page and
Company, former United States
Ambassador to Mexico, Mr, Henry
Lane Wilson, in discussing the
work of tlie Catholic Church in
Mexico and the present situation,
states:
“During the period of his (De la
Barra’s) prominence in Mexican poli
tics, he was generally looked upon
as tlie leader of the so-called Catho
lic Party, a nebulous political or
ganization, apparently without di
rection, and not wholly submissive
to leadership. Very much lias been
said by writers on Mexico about the
power and tyranny of the Roman
Catholic Churcli in its influence
with the Mexican masses. As far as
observation goes, the Catholic
Church in Mexico has, since the
time of Juarez, been more sinned
against than sinning. Its political
power from the overthrow of Maxi
milian down to Hie brief rule of
Huerta was a myth. Tlie Roman
Catholic Church as a political or
ganization does not exist in Mexico,
but it is to he doubted whether its
loss of influence and tlie persecu
tion of its priesthood have had a
beneficial effect on the Mexican
people. It is true that some four
hundred years ago tlie Indian races
then inhabiting the country were
converted to the Christian religion
by the sword, hut nevertheless
Christianity was a benevolent sub
stitute for pagan Aztec barbarism.
“After the conquest the rule of
the Roman Catholic Churcli in
Mexico was generally benevolent
and uplifting. It founded and rear
ed splendid medieval . churches,
established charitable organizations,
places of refuge, and gave to the
impoverished Indian population a
primary education wliidtt it could
obtain from no other source. The
Church was stripped of its power,
property, and influence by tlie gov
ernments of Juarez and Diaz, but
neither these presidents nor their
successors had tlie courage—or
shall we say a sufficient lack of
patriotism?—to attempt to impose
by military force a godless and
heathen regime, having its origin
in bolshevik propaganda. Not all
Christians are concerned with Die
fate of the Roman Catholic Church
in Mexico, but the matter of a com
plete overthrow of the Christian
religion is of as much concern to
any Protestant denomination as to
those who pay obedience to the
Pope.” (“Diplomatic Episodes in
Mexico, Belgium and Chile.” by
Henry Lane Wilson, pages 217-18.)
Mexican ‘ ‘Sponsors of Free Speech ”
Bar Washing ton Post From Country
(By N. C. W. C. News Service)
Washington.—Issues of Tlie Wash
ington Past, prominent Washington
newspaper, containing articles and
editorial comment distasteful to tlie
Calles regime have been barred from
Mexico, The Post revealed.
Prominently displayed on its front
page of March 6. Tlie Post announced
to its readers the barring of copies
of two issues, which were returned
with the mark “Refused entry.. By
tlie Mexican Government.”
One of these issues contained a
leading editorial oil “The Nicaraguan
Revolution” in which The Post stat
ed: "it is evident that the Sacasa
revolutionists, supported by arms
smuggled from Mexico, can not hope
to make further headway against
the constitutional government of
Nicaragua. Tlie early collapse of the
revolution is to he expected.'* The
other issue contained a cartoon of
President Calles of Mexico standing
on the prostrate form of an Ameri
can ranch owner In Mexico and
shouting “Viva Seuor Borah.”
Calling attention that “coincident
with latest mysterious developments
reflecting the gravity of the Mexi
can situation, the Calles govern
ment has initiated a strict censor
ship and suppression of American
newspapers containing information
distasteful to the present regime,”
the Post adds:
“The Calles policy of suppressing
unfavorable comment from reaching
Mexico through foreign newspapers
is squarely in line with the policy
at one time enforced by the soviet
government of Russia. Bolshevik
agents carefully scanned all articles
in the foreign press, and nothing
unfavorable to the soviet regime
was permitted to enter the country.’*