The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-24
MEXICO consul
REPLIES TO U. S.
PAPAL ATTACKS
Rebel Priest Banned BY
Church and Executed

NJ. G. PrIeto, aotlne-eonsuI general
In New York City forwarded The
DAILY WORKER a reply to the at
taeks Of the American catholic BIZ
shops and priests against the Gales
government.
The papal representatives in the
United States claim that the catholic
hierarchy in Mexico are the real
champions of liberty and that the
Mexican government is a tyranny
Despite the illegallty of the resist
ance put up by the clergy to the laws
passed by the revolutionary govern
nent, constitutional force was not
used against them by the government
Only when they resorted to assassina-
don were decisive steps taken TO pre-
vent them from causing mass blood
shed.
Supporters Of Reaction.
Senior Prieto charges the Mexican
hierarchy with being supporters OF
reaction. Those facts are well known
to every wellinformed person in the
United States and do not require elu-
oidation. The following historical
sketch on the activities OF the hier-
archy in Mexico, by Senior Prieta are
taken from his letter to The DAILY
WORKER:
AS to the record Of the Mexican
Bishops on civil liberty, the follow
ing incontrovertfble facts are submit
ted:
Rebel Priest accommodated.
On the 18th Of September, 1910, a
humble Catholic priest raised the ban
ner OF revolt against the Spanish tyr
ants. His name was Father Hidalgo.
For this offense he was excommuni-
Gated by the Catholic bishops, and sui
fsred most cruel death at the hands
Of the Spanish rulers. Another Catho-
lie priest, Father Morelos, who took
his place, was In turn excommunicat-
ed and killed.
When the Spanish power fell, the
Catholic bishops Of Mexico backed the
usurper, Iburbide, who proclaimed
himself emperor and continued the
special privileges Of the church. For
the next forty years the Mexican
church hierarchy, as a matter of alb
solute record, supported every reac-
tionary government and attacked ev-
cry liberal one.
Intrigued With France.
When, in spite Of all they could do,
It seemed that the liberal elements in
Mexico were to triumph under Juarez,
the archbishop Of Mexico went to Eu-
rope, intrigued with Napoleon Bona
parte III, brought a French army to
Mexican soil. and placed Macmillan,
Archduke of Austria, on the throne Of
Mexico as emperor, supported by the
bayonets Of an alien army. For years
the soil Of Mexico was drenched with
the blood Of it's people by this French
army, whose presence there would
have been impossible without the in
fluence Of the Catholic hierarchy.
On Side of Land Owners.
Always their record has been one
Of opposition to all enlightenment
that the statesmen Of Mexico strug-
gled TO bring to its people Always
has the Catholic hierarchy been ar
rayed on the side OF the huge land
owners, who kept the poems in a state
Of virtual slavery. Every liberal prin-
ciple has been anathema to them. The
enlightened social legislation which
the Obregon and Gales administra-
tons have sought to put into opera
ton has found in the Mexican HER
a-chy the most bitter Of opponents.
Being themselves seekers of special
privileges for the church, they have
championed the special privileges of
the great land owners, the financial
interests, and what large Industrial
lists there are in Mexico.
Organized a Boycott.
How little care they have for the
physical interests of a people i'm
poverlshed by ten long years Of revo-
lutionary struggle is shown by their
deliberate backing of what they term
q Boycott" The announced inten-
ton Of this plan was 10 create fnan-
cial and industrial chaos in Mexico.
They hoped thus 10 compel the gov
eminent 10 continue the special privi-
leges which the hierarchy has never
ceased to struggle for.