New Britain herald., 1926-08-11
BATTLE OF WORDS
 STILL IS RAGING
No Signs of Peace in Mexican
 Church Warfare

Mexico City, Aug. II Lp-The con-
 troVersy between the Mexican gov
 ernment and the Catholic church over the putting into effect of the governments religious regulations showed no signs of lessening today. The battle of words" as it is be- ing characterized here owing to the statements of the Catholic Episco- pate regarding its stand and the governments reiteration of its pol icy, was still in progress. seemingly with no prospects at present of any, thing more dangerous than words being used.
 The Catholic authorities. who con- sistently have ordered moderation and no violence. declared today that it would not support any revolution. The Episcopate e en went further when in a statement to the Associat- ed Press it asserted that in the event Mexico was menaced by armed con- flict with foreign power the church and its members would support the Mexican government with absolute loyalty.
 The government and the Episco- pate continue unyielding in their re- spective declarations that there will be no modification in nor acceptance of the religious regulations. Spokes- men for each side, also continue to assert that the others is responsible for the conflict and its continuance.
 Hope Is Slim
 Hope, although 1t Is considered slim, persists that the new congress in September may modify the regu- lations but 1t is said that unless President Gales, who controls the legislative body, softens his attitude, which at present he is giving no signs of doing, it seems that con- gressional relief is doubtful.
 The economic boycott called In protest against the governm ent's re- ligious policy continues 10 be the. cause of much apprehension as we'll as of a considerable actual reduc- ion In business.
 Some relief Is expressed over the of joint debates by and religious leaders on he religious situation. These de- oates had been drawing big crowds. The arguments were becoming so warm and the feeling so intense that | t was feared serious clashes might | ievelop If the debate were con- inued. Hereafter those supporting | IT opposing the governments re- : igious policy will conduct their de- 'ates through newspaper columns Instead of at public meetings.
 Neither the Catholic Episcons.e. he government, nor the newspapers ave received any information that riests have been killed anywhere in h, state of Michoacan. Mexico City onstantly is filled with rumors of Il sorts of bloody disasters in vari- us parts. Most of these prove com letely unfounded.
 Mob Agitators Shot
 The newspapers here print re- orts that three citizens were sum- larily executed after a court mar al at Acambaro. They were charg- l with leading a mob which recent killed two government engineers, iolante and Almedia, because they fought the engineers were govern Ient agents In the religious situ ion. The Catholic Episcopate in atement addressed to the Ameri- m people denies Catholic responsi- lity for the situation. It cites in stail the restrictions of the relig- us clauses in the constitution and $ ys these make impossible the life
 the Catholic church in Mexico. a also says the church is only seek r g to have the constitution amend s
 to secure religious liberty like s at in the United States. Il President Gales says we are V bels," the statement asserts. "Hc a ys Catholics are not persecuted: b
 says he only wants us to obey e law. It is precisely this effort c
 force us to comply with laws d the life of the church r at constitutes persecution. Il We Mexican Catholics" the state a ent continues. Twill initiate the ti nduct of French Catholics in the orld War, who, despite the fact a 1t they had been greatly wronged n
 their government through anti fl igious legislation and exploitation their rights. were among the first ID show their patriotism when the II lf1ict began.