Evening star., 1926-07-30
GALES DECLARES
FIGHT TOF|N|SH ON
RELIGIOUS ISSUES
Clergy Accused of PreCipitat-
ing Struggle at Most Vital
Time in His Regime.
PRIESTS END SERVICES
FOR CATHOLICS TODAY
Economic Boycott Against Govern
ment May Bring Reprisals.
Labor Aids Executive.
BY the Associated Press.

Labor Aids Executive.
BY the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, July 30.-In an ad-
dress to a delegation of the Confed-
Grafton of Labor, which visited him
l. at the palace last night to inform
him that the labor organization sup
ported his religious policy, President
Gales said:
II believe we have reached the
f point when the situation is to he
cleared up once for all time. The
hour is approaching for q final fight.
and we are going to see whether
revolution has triumphed over re-
action, or whether the triumph of
the Mexican revolution has been
merely ephemeral.
Clergy Accused i'm Crisis.
"As I have said on previous oC-
casions, my government has been
h deeply occupied in resolving grave
national problems, such as adjusting
the budget, spreading public educa-
a tton, industrial and agricultural de-
4 velopment of the country, organiza-
tiOn of the army and various social
and economic problems.
"Preoccupied by these enormous
tasks, the government has almost
: forgotten the clerical element, when.
precisely at the most difficult moment
of my administration. the Catholic
Slergy in all bad faith and treachery,
threw its challenge TO the govern
ment of this republic
time when questions were arising of
an international character. which
Were defining whether Mexico was a
sovereign country or not. (The Presi-
dent presumably was referring to the
oil land legislationD
Charges Fight on Law.
AT such time the clergy threw
its challenge 10 the government. max
ing declarations to the reactionary
press of the capital that they did not
recognize the general constitution of
the Mexican republic, and ordering
2 II their supporters TO diSobey and
fight the constitution.
The clergy stated zjn its declalTA-
ton that the religious clauses in the
constitution were a hindrance TO
Mexico, an abuse. and should not be
the government had to fight, accord
ing to law. and with right and JUS
tce. this high-handed attitude of the
clergy. The result of this strife you
already know. We are seeing ii
through. 1t is a struggle of darkness
against light.
Il am absolutely certain the rev.
olutionary movement is developing
for the good of the republic. fThe
President was referring to the reVo-
lutionary movement which began in
1910 and of which the present gov
ernment is the outcome), and especial
ly for the working classes.
Success Is Predicted.
t"Defnite triumph will be for us.
have always known the working
classes would be in the vanguard in
the struggle, because among them
there is less egoism: they always see
a wider perspective for the future OF
their homeland.
The Confederation of Iabors notice
of support of the governments re-
ljgious policy to President Gales said:
I'VE notify you that we are ready
10 defend the revolutionary princl-
pies with our lives.
only one things does organized
labor demand of you, which is that
the situation be made clear in order
to be able to fight the enemy face to
face and in the open: that you eXpel
from your administration the Sec
tartan elements wbtch have always
hindered the energetic work OF the
revolutionary government, in order
that in this supreme plovement every
one may group about his colors.'
Past Repression Alleged.
The statement declared that during
past Mexican history lron-handed dic-
tatorship had drowned in blood at
temps of the workmen to free them
selves. 1t continued:
The government is attempting to
&nd the ignorance of Mexican work
men resulting from 30 years of tyr
amy and 10 years of revolution. 1t
is this ignorance which the clergy is
attempting to use by fixing in the
minds of our comrades and our peo-
pie generally the belief that religions
and the clergy are one and the same
thing. You have shown, as we show,
profound respect for all religious
creeds; but we are opposed TO prof
Rnation of the spiritualism within
SeIgion by using it as a weapon to de-
stroy the revolutionary conquest of
the people.
Therefore the proletariat offers
YOU its enthusiastic support, notify
Ing you that in this historic moment
YOU are not alone, but that organized
labor of Mexico is with you and does
not hesitate to offer you its blood to
save the revolution.
Last Services Today.
Catholics throughout Mexico today
offered UP devotions for the last time
under the leadership of their priests
before the governments S new reli-
gious regulations go into effect tomor-
row.
Under instructions from Arch
bishop Mora v Del Rio priests will
withdraw from the churches tomor
row in protest against the govern
,ment's religious measures. The
withdrawal was originally planned
for Sunday.
All Catholics in the country are to
he disarmed in accordance with an
order issued by Attorney General
Ortega. Senior Ortega said this move
was a consequence Of reports that
Catholic groups were meeting secretly
at night and that the authorities
were fearful the gatherings were for
the purpose of offering opposition to
the religious laws.
After more than a fortnight of at
tendance upon masses the faithful
again today crowded churches,
cathedrals and shrines throughout
che republic. 1t was feared that
When the services ended at 10 o'clock
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