The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-01
POPE CHARGES
FASCISTS WITH
BREAKING PACT
Calls College of Cardinals in
Session to Fight for
Freedom.
MODS DEFACE PICTURES
Catholic Clubs, ChiIdren'S
Fairgrounds Closed by
italian Police.
BY FRANCIS REA,
United Press STAFF Correspondent.

United Press STAFF Correspondent.
VATICAN CITY, June l. - The
Roman Catholic church, challenged
by the Fascist regime of Benito
Mussolini, called on it's highest lead
ers today to fight for it's freedom.
Pope Plus, aroused by Fascist re-
strictions against Catholic clubs and
other lay organizations, called an
extraordinary meeting of the college
Of cardinals. The Italian govern
ment virtually was accused Of bad
faith by the pontiff, who apparently
felt the terms Of the 1929 lateran
treaty were jeopardized.
Ban on Students
Meanwhile Mussolini, informed
belatedly today of secret plans by
Rome university students to hold a
huge demonstration tonight against
the vatican, Immediately ordered
the demonstration abandoned. It
had been planned for Rusticocci
square, adjoining st. Peters square
and commanding full view of the
vatican.
Pressure was put on the press to-
day. The Observatore Romano,
vatican organ, announced it would
suspend its daily column listing in
suits on Catholics and the Lavora
Fascista, Fascist labor organ, an
nouncing simultaneously it would
suspend its attacks on Azione.
The Fascist press was understood
to have been advised against print
ing attacks that would. prejudice any
negotiations under way for a peace
full settlement.
Twenty-four members Of the col
lege met with the pope and after
an hour of discussion, the meeting
adjourned. All declined to COM
ment on the proceedings, but 1t was
said that a communique would be
issued later today.
The college session came as q
climax to week of growing ten
sion between the Vatican and the
Fascist administration in Rome. The
italian government Saturday closed
branches of the Azione Cattolica in
Rome and gave provisional projects
discretion to disband rural branches.
The Pope's protests were futile, al
though one club in Rome st. Crl-
sognus, was permitted to reopen.
Fairgrounds Closed
-Four knights of Columbus play
grounds in Rome summarily were
closed. The playground at St. Pc
ter's. within Vatican territory, how
ever. remained open. Edward L.
Hearn of Boston, director OF the
knights Of Columbus in Europe, VIII
protest through the United States
embassy, against the closing OF the
other Fairgrounds.
Fascists and Catholics clashed
frequently during the last week. The
pope was denounced during the
riots and his picture publicly de-
faced bv Fascists. The governments
action against Catholic lay organl-
cations Saturday followed, resulting
in futile protests by the Pope ana
the calling OF the cardinals into ses-
sion today.
pope Plus, who celebrated his
seventv-fourth birthday Sunday
was bitter about the Fascist attl-
tude.
Pope Expresses Regret
zone can exact life, but can not
silence US" he said. II am sorry
because of what has happened be-
cause that which we held dearest
both in Rome and throughout Italy,
namely. the Azione Catloica--
principally it's young mems Chris
tian branches-has been stricken.
The government, it was explained,
ran not actually disband the Azione
Cattolica, Catholic lay organization,
without breaking the lateral treaty
with the Holy See. The closing OF
branches in Rome has not yet con-
stituted disarmament, 1t was en-
phasized.
The permission to one Catholic
club to reopen was interpreted as
an indication that the government
is relenting. Hope was held among
Catholics that the attitude OF the
Fascist authorities toward the
Azione Cattolica would change soon
and the present orders be revoked.
The pope made direct charges
against the government. He said
the present educational situation IN
italy was opposed to Christian
education because "it is inducive to
a,I Violence "