The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-12
CATHOLIC ELEMENT
IN MEXICO BLAMED
FOR DISTURBANCES
Property Of Future Conspirators
will Be confiscated, Pres
dent Gil Warns
T0RAL EXECUTION IS CAUSE
Economic Warfare Is Planned
Against Groups Antagonistio
to Present Government

Mexico City. Feb. 12.-(Represi-
dent Emilio Portes Gil today answered
disturbances Of the last three days
in Mexico with announcement Of
economic warfare against elements
antagonistic to the present govern
n1ent.
He blamed Catholic elements for
disturbances and q seditious atlnos-
phere in the nation. and said that
property Of authors or accomplices"
OF future movements against the gov
ernment would be confiscated and
divided among peasants and workers
who had remained loyal to the
regime.
The announcement was in the
form Of signed statement to Mexico
City newspapers. It followed closely
orders from Acting Secretary Of the
Interior Canales to all Catholic
priests In the nation to send their ad-
dresses to the government within two
weeks.
To Take Civil Action
The president said he acted "for
purposes Of public security" and I'm
view Of the subversive conduct Of the
high Mexican clergy" He gave warn
ing that all those who failed to COM
ply with the instructions would be
considered accomplices to rebellious
elements and civil action would be In
stttuted against them.
The two moves by the government
climaxed increasingly disturbing re-
ports OF incidents apparently grow
Ing out Of the execution Of Jose de
Leon Toral. assassin Of President
elect Obregon. last Saturday.
There were belated reports Of
bombing and attack on q Colimagua-
dalajara passenger train Sunday and
dispatches from the state Of vera
Cruz indicated that armed Agrarians
were congregating at places there.
Agitators were urging them to rebel.
Scores Newspapers
President Portes Gil 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 con-
duct Of the big newspapers which
once again showed their unprogres-
sive views In making the warmest
eulogy Of the criminal without even
alluding to the cowardice and re-
pugnance Of his crime"
THE hidden instigators Of all these
excesses," he added, "are not even
sincere Catholics defending the reli-
gion Of their ancestors and their con-
science. They are bourgeoise who
mould their actions to existing con-
ditions and seek q way to recover
privileges which the Mexican revolu-
lion took away from them.
= "Indubitable proofs Of this are
murders OF peasants which, to add. to
the sarcasm thereof. are carried out
IN the name Of Christ the King"
Use Economic Weapon
There follows the statement that
the government now believes econo-
mic pressure the most effective weap-
on 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 de-
PENDANTS are found guilty.
No represstve measures viii be
taken against peaceful Catholics, the
ann ouncement says. and RELIGIOUS
ceremonies In the home and churches
viii not be interfercd with % long
as there Is no violation Of the con-
stitution.