Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-12
PorteS Gil BIames Catholic
Elements for Seditious
Atmosphere.
PRIESTS ARE ORDERED
TO FILE ADDRESSES
Disorders Fixed on Materialists
Seeking Recovery of Privileges
Lost During Revolution.

=
MEXICO CITY, February 12.-Presi-
dent Emilio ?ortes Gil today answered
disturbances Of the last three days in
Mexico WITH announcement of economic
warfare against elements antagonistic
to the present government.
He blamed Catholic elements for dis
turbances and seditious atmosphere
in the nation, and said that property
of authors or accomplices" of future
movements against the government
would be confiscated and divided
among peasants and workers who had
remained loyal to the regime.
The announcement was in the form
of a signed statement to Mexico City
newspapers. 1t followed closely orders
from Acting Secretary of the Interior
Canales to all Catholic priests in the
nation to send their addresses to the
government within two weeks.
Acts for Public Security.
The president said he acted "for
purposes of public security" and "in
view of the subbervise conduct Of the
high Mexican clergy" He gave warn
ing that all those who failed to comply
with the instructions would be con-
sidered accomplices to rebelious ele-
ments and civil action would be inSti-
tuted against them.
The two moves by the government
climaxed increasingly disturbing re-
ports of incidents apparently growing
out of the execution of Jose de Leon
Toral, assassin of President-elect Obre-
pon last Saturday
There were belated reports of bomb
ing and attack on Colima- -Guadala-
jara passenger train Sunday, and dis
patches from the State of Vera Cruz
indicated that armed agrarians were
congregating at places there. AgitatorS
were urging them to rebel.
While the diplomatic corps and hun
dreds of personal friends streamed
through the reception rooms at the
presidential palace yesterday congratu-
lating him on his escape from the bomb
trap which had been set for him Sum
day, President Portes Gil was making
up his mind how best to meet the
situation.
Resents Press Stories.
He indicated his resentment at the
manner in which the large Mexico City
newspapers played up the trial and
execution of Toral. He referred to
illegal conduct of the big newspapers
which once again showed their un-
progressive views in making the warm
est eulogy of the criminal without even
alluding to the cowardice and repug-
nance of his crime"
'The hidden instigators of all these
excesses," he added, "are not even sin
cere Catholics defending the religion of
their ancestors and their conscience.
They are bourgeoisie, who mold their
actions to existing conditions and seek
a way to recover privileges which the
Mexican revolution took away from
them.
"Indubitable proofs of this are mur-
ders of peasants which, to add to the
sarcasm thereof, are carried out in the
name of Christ, the King"
There follows the statement that the
government now believes economic pres
sure the most effective weapon and that
the brain will be used rather than the
arm
Confiscation will be carried out. he
says, with ranches going to peasants
and factories to workers when defend
ants are found guilty.
Expected Criticism.
He concluded with the statement that
he expected criticism from the news
papers for his policy, but that it would
not deter him.
The order of Secretary Canales for
addresses of Catholic priests says that
they must be turned in either by the
priests themselves or by the families
with which they live The order adds
that 1t Is not issued for the purpose of
prosecuting the Catholic priests" who
the government believes, are "vitcins
OF material interest"
No repreSsive measures will be taken
against peaceful Catholics, the an
nouncement says, and religious cere-
monies in the home and churches will
not be interfered with so long as there
Is no violation of the constitution,
There were only meager reports of
the bombing Of the Colima- -Guadalajara
train. All indicate that the fireman of
the locomotive was killed and that
some others were injured, but the total
casualties are not as yet known.
Authorities here blame the Com
munist president candidate, Gen.
Triana, with the trouble in Vera Cruz.
where it Is said he has been stirring
up the peasants.
Mrs. Dwight Morrow, who was due
Continued on Page S, Column s.