Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-31
MANY RIOTS OCCUR
AS MEXICO SEXES
CHURCH PROPERTY
Isolated ARRAYS, Including
Stoning of 0rtega, Mark
= Assumption of Control.
OFFICIAL WEEPS WHILE
SEALING ARCHBISH0PRIC
Barefoot Throngs Make Pilgrim
ages to Shrines-Papal Of
ficer Ordered Deported.

By the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, July 31.-Ten mil
Hon or more Catholics throughout
Mexico today were without ministra-
tions of clergy.
The putting into effect of the gov
ernment's new religious regulations
was marked by isolated shooting af-
trays, the stonng of officials and the
turning Of fire hose on crowds.
These occurrences started last night
when officials began to take control
of treasures and other articles in
church buildings other than the
churches themselves.
Ten persons were wounded in shoot
ings in the capital.
Ortega Is Stoned.
Attorney General Ortega was
among the officials stoned as they
We're closing the anneXes of St.
GATHERINGS Church, once reputed
among the wealthiest churches OF
Mexico, but which has lost the bulk
of its wealth.
Disturbances also occurred in sew
eral other sections of the capital.
Police and f1remen were called out to
disperse the crwds which had clashed
with the police guarding churches.
The priests had been ordered by the
episcopate to withdraw from the
churches today as a protest against
the regulations. Also effective TO-DAY
was an economic boycott of the Ma
afonal League for Defense of Religious
A.iberty. Catholics are requested TO
cease spending money on anything
except on absolute necessities, the ob-
iect being to bring about an economic
crisis which win influence the govern
ment to modify its religious attitude.
Officials Reiterate Stand.
officials reiterated today that it was
the intention of President Gales ana
government officials strictly TO en-
force the constitutional clauses with
regard TO religion, which have VIZ
tuaIlv been a dead letter for years.
With a view to preventing or put
ting, down any disturbances, the gov
eminent dispatched troops to strate-
ric points. They were ordered TO
maintain a state of constant readl-
ness for any eventuality.
one Of the last acts of the govern
ment before the regulations Went
into effect was TO order the expulsion
of Mgr. Tito Crespi, who has been
in charge Of the apostohc iesation
in Mexico City since the expulsion
kwho is an American citizen. Mgr.
Crespi was told to leave Mexico with
IN "a hours, but through the inter-
yention of the Italian legation, the
time was extended to AS hours.
Will Visit in L. S.
The nrelate however, will not take
advantage of this extension, and will
leave tonight for Linden, \. j., TO
visit relatives prior to proceeding 70
Rome The government considered
his presence III Mexico "inconVen-
Sant.' He insists he has been neutral
in all Mexican religious affairs. Mgf.
Crespi is the fourth papal representa-
tive in the last three years 70 pe oe-
ported.
half a dozen churches in the capltal
and its environs last night. Worship
ers clashed with the police or with
the officials who were closing ana
. sealing anneXes to churches, such as
offices, VeStrieS and Sacrlstles.
The authorities say that in every
case the trouble was due more to
overwrought nerves than anything
else They expressed the belief that
Ahe situation would pass without seri-
Gus trouble, but, nevertheless, they
took every military and police precau-
t10n, Nnl61 OI IOllIC ~ uSO Aiit'tA 49,
ed his men to take vigorous action
against persons attempting to disturb
public order. The department of war
announced it was prepared promptly
and effectively to suppress 'once Tor
all time" any efforts at disturbance
anywhere in the republic.
Woman Among Wounded.
The wounded in the fighting last
night included one woman, two men,
who sustained minor bullet wounds,
Aand two firemen, two policemen and
NHhree civilians, hit with stones
The two policemen were wounded
and II persons, alleged to be Cath
olics. were arrested in clash between
worshipers and the police before the
Church of San Rafel After the
church closed last night large crowd
of worshipers remained, kneeling in
the street, praying.
The police vainly attempted to dis
perse the gathering on the ground
that it was religious meeting held
outside a church building which is
forbidden by Mexican law.
The worshipers refused to bulge,
a fireman was called and began play
ing the hose upon the worshipers, who
retaliated with sticks and stones.
Shots Are FIRED.
Some shots also were fired. The
police climbed to the windows of
nearby houses and threw missiles
down upon the crowd. These. to-
gether with the water from the hose,
finally dispersed the throng.
Feeling runs SO high that the slight
est provocation is apt to cause trouble.
For instance, the gasoline tank of an
automobile outside the Church of the
Sacred Heart exploded last night
while the congregation, was praying
just before the departure of the
priests The excited crowd. thinking
the detonation was that of a bomb,
or the commencement of battle,
rushed outside the edif1ce, apparently
ready for anything. A few of the
communicates were brushed in the
jam.
The Church Of st. Catherine was
crowded with worshipers when Senior
Ortega, accompanying ministry of
justice officials, arrived there to seal
the treasures. Some one shouted
Athat an official was closing the church,
iEyhereupon the crowd poured out of
the edifice. Some of them attacked
the officials and threw stones at
them,
After fighting their way through