New Britain herald., 1926-07-30
CATHOLIC PRIESTS
 ID QUIT TONIGHT Mexican Churches Crowded
 With Religious Worshippers ASK PEACEFUL SUBMISSION
Church Sanctions No Forcefm On position to Drastic Order - Some VIII Attempt Economic Boycott All Catholics Being Disarmed.

Mexico City, July 80 Op,-Cathollcs throughout Mexico today offered m devotions for the last time under the leadership of their priests before the governments new religious regula- ions go into effect Saturday.
 Tomorrow under instructions from Archbishop Mora Del Rio. the priests will withdraw from inc churches in protest against the gov ernment's religious measures.
 Hour Is At Hand
 President Gales in a speech last night declared that the hour was approaching for final fight to de- termine the triumph of revolution or reaction. The struggle was be- tween light and darkness. he said, and the government would win.
 To Disarm Catholics
 All Catholics In the country are 10 be disarmed in accordance with an order issued by Attorney General Ortega. Senor Ortega said this move was consequence to reports that Catholic groups were meeting se- cretly at night and that the author ities were fearful the gatherings were for the purpose of offering op- position to the religious laws.
 Churches Crowded
 After more than g fortnight of attendance upon masses, the faithful again today crowded churches, ca thedrals and shrines throughout the republic. It was feared that when the services ended at 10 o'clock to- night there would be thousands who had been unable to enter the church. es and shrines to worship for the last time in the presence of priests,
 Compromise Committees
 When the priests withdraw from the churches under orders from the archbishop, they will turn over their churches to Catholic lay committees appointed by the priest of the con- gregation. The government has all ready announced that It will not permit lay committee to take over the churches and has ordered the mayor Of each town to name his own committee for that purpose. The priests committees however, will endeavor to negotiate with the municipal authorities in an effort to reach a compromise agreement on the personnel of each committee.
 Will Attend Just the Same.
 Although the churches will be without ministers, it is expected they will continue to be filled with worshippers, who will read the prayer book as though a priest was on the altar. The church authorities have instructed all Catholics to con- tinue attending their churches, the doors of which are to be left open, and to pray for a satisfactory settle ment of the situation.
 On Saturday. simultaneously with the religious regulations coming in to effect, the National League for Defense of Religious Liberty will start its economic boycott" of pro- test.
 How extensively the suggestion of the league will be compiled with, cannot be foretold.
 Plans For Boycot.
 The boycott contemplates that all Catholics, and persons opposed to the governments present religious policy as well, shall cease spending money for any thing except absolute necessities. The league hopes by the boycott to effect an economic slump which will be sufficiently embar- rassing to the government to cause
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