Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-01
Few Guards Are Only Sign
of Enforcement of Rules
Of Republic Governing Re-
Iigious Bodies Activities.
WORSHIPERS CONTINUE
RITES WITHOUT PRIESTS
Few Clergymen Are in Evidence
Throughout Nation - Many
Completing inventories of
Church Treasures as Last Act
Before Leaving Posts.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, July 3l.--Dis-
covery of a plot against the life of
President Gales was announced by
the police tonight.
Seven women and two men have
been detained by the police charged
with conspiring against the life OF
President Gales.
The police claim that the plot was
headed by Senorita Dolores Lemus,
young city hall stenographer.
Senorita Lcmus was arrested by
officers attached to the Presidents S
personal staff.
Discovery of the alleged con-
spiracy came about when policemen
Investigated reports of the organi-
zation of a movement among city
hall employees to openly oppose the
governments religious policy.
Policemen standing guard outside
the great Catholic cathedral III
Mexico City and the other churches
of the country, and the saddened
faces Of worshipers who streamed
throughout the day into the holy
edihccs to pray, despite the absence
Of officiating clergymen, were the
only outward signs that the govern
mems new religious regulations had
gone into effect.
Apparently the Catholics were
obeying the admonitien of the pas
toral letter issued by the Mexican
Episcopate to remain calm and to con-
tinue their religious devotions. 1t
was in accordance with this pastoral
letter, signed by the eight Arch
bishops and twenty-nine Bishops of
Mexico, as a protest against the re.
ligious regulations, that the priests
withdrew from their churches today.
Few Priests Seen.
All the churches We're comfortably
crowded with thousands at prayer,
while here and there outside quiet
groups stood talking But no large
assemblies could be seen, no conges-
tion. nothing remotely approaching
the scenes of the past fortnight when
anxious crowds pressed about the
churches and shrines eager to perform
their devotious before the priests
withdrew, to have their children bap
tized or confirmed, or to go through
the marriage ceremony.
With rare exceptions, no priests
were seen today Many of them were
busily engaged in completing inven-
tories of church property, as required
by the government.
A great number the churches out
side the City of Mexico already are in
the hands of municipal committees,
Notwithstanding that the priests ap-
pointed lay committees to take charge
OF the places of worship. Thus far
no difficulties have been reported, but
in most cases each committee is
claiming authority.
Great Cathedral Closed.
The Mexico City Cathedral. where
the greatest outburst of religious fer
yor ever witnessed in Mexico kept the
clergymen constantly on duty for the
past week, was closed today. This, it
was understood, was to allow the
priests to complete their inventory
of it's great store of treasures. AS the
last services were ended at the cathe-
draI last night Gordon of police was
placed around the edifice, but this
morning most of them We're with
drawn, and only a fewsstood guard at
the gates through the day. The small
groups which gathered seemingly
We're actuated only by curiosity, and
there were no signs of disturbance.
50 far as was known tonight the
same condition prevailed in all parts
of the republic, the only trouble re-
ported being that which took place
last night when the officials, by order
of the department of justice, began
placing under government seal church
property, with the exception of the
places of worship. Disorders broke
out at that time in half dozen places
and about 10 persons were wounded
when the excited crowds began hurl-
ing stones at the officials.
In Puebla City the feeling among
the populace is decribed as more bit
ter against the religious regulations
than in most OF the districts outside
the capital The archbishop there
has appealed TO all Catholivs to shun
violence and to work by lawful means
to bring about amendment Of the con-
stitution, thus fulfilling their duties
as sons of the church and citizens.
Business Continues Active.
Thus far the business life of Mexico
City gives no evidence OF a reduction
of activity, although the economic
of religious liberty was supposed to
take effect today. Under this boycott
Catholics and all those opposing the
regulations We're asked TO refrain
from riding in public vehicles. patron
izins amusements and purchasing
anything except absolute necessaries.
A canvass OF the downtown sections
showed the usual business was being
conducted.
The few police guards stationed at
each gate to the Cathedral grounds
and the one or two soldiers at each
of the Cathedral doors were not called
upon to do more than stand there.
The roads to the Guadalupe Shrine,
tramped yesterday by thousands of
barefoot pilgrims and for many days
teeming with great multitudes, knew
only an occasional traveller today.
The church center to which tightly
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