Roman Church Aid to Huerta

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1914

Roman Church Aid to Huerta

For months it has been a live question as to where President Huerta obtained money to finance his military operations, in view of the state of affairs in Mexico. It would appear, however, by recent reports from various quarters, that the Roman Catholic Church has stood behind him in his campaign, and, through assessments upon the people of Mexico, contributed large sums to the financing of his operations. A dispatch from Vera Cruz, published in the New York Times of May 13, declares:—

The alleged determination of Villa to deal severely with the dignitaries of the church, and the disfavor with which rebels regard those who wear the robes of the church, are said to have for a basis the financial assistance which the church has given to Huerta. Early in Huerta's campaign against the rebels, the church contributed 7,000,000 pesos, and the amount is said now to have reached 20,000,000 pesos. The churchmen are known to have protested against some of the assessments, but were virtually forced to pay.

Not only has the church financed Huerta in his operations, but she has stood as his chief adviser. This at least is the declaration made by the Western Watchman, a Catholic journal published in St. Louis, in its issue of May 4, 1914. The editor says:—

Everybody is asking the question, "Who is Huerta's adviser?" We have before stated in these columns that Huerta was on the best of terms with the Catholic party, and was a personal friend of the Archbishop of Mexico City, with whom he dined regularly twice a week. This brings him in close touch with the personnel of the apostolic legation. Church diplomats are the safest and shrewdest in the world. Canon law is a safe guide in the intricate defiles of international politics. Who suggested to Huerta that it was illogical and inconsistent to demand an apology from one you refuse to recognize? It knocked our resourceful Secretary of State completely off his feet, and he has not had a leg to stand on for a month. But the guarded assent to mediation expressed by the wily Indian is a masterpiece of diplomacy. He has all the machinery of mediation in motion, yet no one can say just what he will do. He has the whole world guessing.

All the great leaders of men since the Christian era began were in close touch with the church, and were guided by her wisdom and her experience.

How long the church will continue to afford this financial encouragement and ready counsel will depend upon the probable outcome in her judgment of the present situation in Mexico. Roman policy usually declares on the side of the victor. Whatever administration may succeed that of Huerta in Mexico, the Roman Catholic Church will continue to the extent of her power to take a hand in Mexican affairs. As far as possible she is making her influence felt in every government of the world at the present time. There are but few great political moves made in this world but that Rome in some manner has been connected with the decision, favoring it if for her interests, opposing it if her purposes were not likely to be met. She will do this until the end of time, until she is called to account by the judgment of the last great day.