The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1915-05-22
ions of Pope Benedict XIV and his closest ud-

tions Of Pope Benedict XIV and his closest ad-
yisers.
In the records Of the vatican at Rome lie the
answers TO the questions that the world has been
asking about the Romanist church for nearly ff-
teen centuries. II the Roman hierarchy is not
a machine for political oppression, graft and ex-
ploitation the answer lies there. II there is, un-
der heaven, a defense Of the hierarchy Of Rome
that can clear its skirts Of the indictment of
treason, robbery murder, and crimes unspeak-
sble-an indictment brought now, and brought
centuries ago, in this and in every other land
where Rome has put forth her hand-if there is
anywhere a defense against this universal age
old, but ever new indictment, the pope has at
hand the means Of silencing that charge forever.
And il there exists anywhere the proof Of the
guilt or the innocence Of the publishers Of THE
MENACE, the first and best evidence is that which
is under lock and key at the order Of Pope Bene-
dict XIV at Rome.
So il was desired by the Free Press Defense
League to take the dispositions Of the pope and
his Immediate subordinates. II was desired, fur
ther, if this could not be DONE to demonstrate TO
the world the truth Of one charge, at least-that
the pope arrogates to himself the power Of tenn
poral monarch and, defying the laws Of all ma
tions setting them all at naught, he still exacts
from his followers in every land, oaths which are
reasonable TO those nations.
sneer went up from the Romanist press. 1t
made fun of this bluff" upon the part Of the Free
Press Defense League. 1t declared that the offer
was not made in good faith. II admitted that
the pope holds himself above the laws Of nations
and chuckled at the very idea OF demanding his
testimony.
But there was fled in the federal court at
Kansas City on Tuesday, May IL, the most re-
markable motion Of its kind ever filed in a case
- ~. u T.
a continuance Of the case against THE MENACE
and the men who make THE MENACE.
1t based the request upon the necessity of
taking OF attempting TO take the depositions Of
the pope and his advisers. II pointed out that
if the pope refused to give his deposition, the
way would then be open TO prove by documents
existing in the United States and by witnesses
available here, the charges made by THE MENACE
against the Romanist hierarchy. And it also
pointed out that under a well recognized rule OF
law, the documents and certain witnesses available
here are classed as Secondary evidence" and
cannot be used unless all possible efforts to pro-
cure the primary evidence" which would be the
pope's deposition and those Of his advsers-hayt
been made.
The motion for q continuance is destined Il
be an historical document. It is the first attempt
to arraign the Romanist hierarchy in a court
of record. 1t reads as follows:
No 253
In The
District Court Of the United States
Western District of Missouri, Southwestern
Division.
United States, " Plaintiff
VS..
The Menace Publishing Company, a
Corporation; Wilbur F. Phelps, Bruce
NJ. Phelps, Theodore G. Walker and
Marvin Brown, Defendants
APPLICATION FOR CONTINUANCE
Come now the defendants above named anC
move the court to grant to them continuance