The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-23

tee reports and private utterances Of Catholic Week" leaders, was not al lowed to appear in the final action on the Mexican question taken yesterday by the National Federation of Catho- lie Societies, representing a member ship of 3,OOO,O00.
 In taking this stand the Federation adhered to it's constitutional proscrtp- ton against any action of possible po- litical construction and sustained the oft-repeated declaration of its officers, often repeated in the last week, that the Catholics assembled here would supply no material for a Republican campaign document.
 Thus in marked contrast to the vivid language of committee reports, embodied in National Secretary Anthony Mattress annual report, the resolution merely asked flor religious liberty for Roman Catholics in Mex fco'' Whether the resolution adopted was framed without a struggle no one would say. It was adopted without murmur.
 One who played a leading part in drafting the resolution had explained that, though it started with long preamble asserting the innocence of the church, and of it's lay and clerical leaders, in the tumult south of the Rio Grande, this did not mean that Catholics had assumed a defensive Attitude.
 E we merely started by answering Ahe accusations against us by Car Fanza's diplomats, part of the press bf this country, and many American Protestants," he said.
 sF The Mexican Resolution. The resolution. which Federation leaders said represented the exact at titude of 10000, 900 American lay and ecclesiastical Catholics, reads:
 "Ever anxious to place before our fellow citizens the truth regarding the Catholic church and all the aim and purposes of it's members, this Federation hereby places on record and invites thoughtful attention to the following statements regarding the at titude of American Catholics toward their persecuted co-religionists and toward those who are not their CO., religionists in Mexico
 "First-At no time since the be- ginning of the sad outrages against religion in Mexico has the church or any official body of the church or any of her leaders lent aid, financial or otherwise, to the stirring up of strife, either here or elsewhere, against any person or group claiming to be gov- ernment or even a faction in Mexico.
 "Second-The only money raised by American Catholics to aid Mexicans in their present sad plight was raised and expended for charitable pur- poses, to wit: The relief of the refugees, the establishment of a sem- mary for Mexican ecclesiastical stu dents in Castroville, Texas, transpor- tation and appeals for further char ity.
 ''Third-At no time and under no circumstances have the exiled Arch bishops and Bishops asked their fel- low Catholics in the United States to aid in revolutionary movements or to agitate for the bringing about of American intervention.
 "Fourth-What the Catholics of the United States ask in connection with Mexico is that, whatever form of gov- ernment be established in Mexico, with the aid and friendship of our own country, it shall grant and guar antee liberty of conscience and free dom of worship as they exist in our United States and which are denied in Mexico by unjust laws"
 The Peace Resolution. ( Second in interest only to the Mex ican on Oct 29, 1915, when 1,352.000 shares question was the resolution re- garding peace in Europe, adopted by z the delegates, who sweltered all day T, most of the important business of the convention out of the way.
 Here again definite action was characterized by more conservatism than had been displayed in less formal proceedings. The resolution merely called upon Pope Benedict XIV. to take part in the restoration of tranquility, and not characterizing him as the only person possibly able to bring about that result. The resolution, also unanimously adopted, read:
 We recall with just pride the re- markable work accomplished by our Holy Father for the relief of the war stricken sufferers, and more especial ly for the return to their homes of the permanently disabled prisoners of the various contending nations.
 We pledge to him our most loyal support in his unceasing efforts to re- store just and lasting peace.
 "As the representative of the Prince of Peace and the common spiritual father of so many millions among all the nations of the earth, he is the log ical arbiter to whom the warning peo- ples can turn for a disinterested and impartial settlement of all their diff ficulties in accordance with the sacred principles of justice and humanity.
 "The unbiased judgment of history supports the demand that the voice of the common father of all Christen- dom, whose mind is untainted with national riva1ries and whose heart em- braces all the nations of the earth in truest love. may be heard in the coun- cil of the nations for the securing and the cementing of a permanent peace"
 Divorce Reform Called For.
 The Federation readopted gener- ally the resolutions of its 1915 con- vention, expressing it's attitude on matters in which it is interested. To emphasize it's importance the Catholic theatre movement and the Fedora tions belief that a crusade should be waged against indecency in theatre and motion pictures were made the subects of a separate resolution.
 The section of the general resolu- ton devoted to the Catholic press con- tained high praise for the work done by the Catholic Press Association in