The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-08
PEACE 'FEELER'
ADVANCED IN
ITALIAN CLASH
Government May Agree to-
Allow Existence of
Laymen'S League.
VATICAN'S IRE GROWS
Failure to Receive Replies
to Notes Sent FaSciStS
Deemed Insult.
VATICAN'S IRE GROWS
BY STEWART BROWN
United Press STAFF Correspondent

eminent viii agree to continued
existence Of the Catholic laymen's
association, Azione Cattolica, on a
parochial basis, with clubs and as
sociations under direct management
Of the parish priest, supervised by
the bishop, Well-informed Vatican
circles said today.
Reconstruction of any federation
will not be permitted by the gov
eminent, however.
The Holy See was understood to
be ready to accept a solution Of
the present problem along those
lines.
The government would stipulate,
in addition, the elements it con-
sidered undesirable, such as former
leaders of the defunct Catholic
Populist party. They would be ex-
cluded from any activities in the
new organization.
Hope for Solution
The popes notes requesting some
expression of regret by the Italian
government of recent Fascist anti
Catholic activities were considered a
problem more difficult of solution.
Hope was still fertt, however, that a
way out would be found.
The Vatican will dispatch third
note to the Italian government to-
day demanding, among other things,
a reply to two previous notes from
the Holy See. Irritation on both
sides apparently grew over the
weekend.
The United Press was informed
in unimpeachable quarters that if
the government does not answer
the third Vatican note in a reason
able time" the Vatican will send a
fourth note informing the govern
ment headed by Premier Benito
Mussolini of the possibility Of sever
ing diplomatic relations.
'White Book" is Likely
It was indicated that in case no
answer to any OF the four notes
were received within ten days to
two weeks, the Vatican intends to
issue it's white book" and recall
the papal nuncio. It was hoped,
however, that a satisfactory answer
would be received.
Confirmation was obtained at the
Vatican that the first note from the
Holy See requested an answer
within two to four hours" and de-
plored insults to the pope. In gov
eminent quarters, it was understood
that the strong wording of the note
made it most difficult for the gov
eminent to answer.
Envoy Is Ignored
The stiffening attitude of the
Vatican was indicated when it be-
came known that the authorities
there did not intend to seek progress
through unofficial negotiations re-
garding the Catholic laymen's or
CARNATIONS until the Vatican note
is answered.
1t was understood that Pope Plus
XII declared he would not receive the
Italian ambassador to the Vatican,
Count Devecchi, until he brings an
official, satisfactory answer" This
was regarded as explaining the
pope's recent refusal to receive
Count Devecchi.
Severance of relations between the
Holy See and the government would
nct mean denunciation of the Lat
eran accord or the concordat en-
forcing it, which the pope consid-
ers supplementary to each other.
He believes that both must stand
or fall together.
Italian Viewpoint Given
Moreover, Pope Plus was known
to believe that it would be beneath
the dignity of the church to de-
nounce the treaties.
A high authoritative Fascist
source gave the United Press the
following summary Of the Italian
viewpoint:
"Our problem is practically the
same as the religious question in
any country. The pope to us is a
foreign power. We can not allow
him have political party within
Italian jurisdiction. We recognize
him as supreme in religious matters,
but he must stay out of politics.
1--WE respect religion in the most
reverent way, and in religion we
know his leadership alone. But in
politics, we are masters. We intend
to manage our own political affairs
and not to permit organizations I'M
der the guise of religion to thwart
our power"