Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-09
FEAR new CRISIS
in VATICAN and
FASCIST BATTLE
Government Expected To
DenOunce Treaty With
Papal State.
BY FRANCIS REA
nited Press Staff Correspondent


ton of the Italo-Vatican concordat
by the Italian government appears
imminent, 1t was learned from an
authoritative quarter today. This
followed increasing tension and
publication of denunciatory articles
by Fascist newspapers.
Official circles said the govern
ment was carefully considering the
newspapers demand for denuncia-
ton of the concordat. 1t was un-
derstood the proposal was discussed
at this mornings cabinet meeting,
but If a decision was made, an
nouncement will be withheld for
some time.
To "denounce" treaty is to give
notice OF intention TO withdraw
from adherence to its provisions; III
effect, to cancel.
In this instance, however, the
Lateran treaty itself would not be
abrogated, since there is both con-
cordat and a treaty. To denounce
the concordat, a document making
the treaty effective, would be TO
nullify the enforcement side OF the
treaty while still leaving the treaty
itself untouched.
The concordat and financial con-
vention were signed, together with
the treaty, by Cardinal Gasparri
and Premier Mussolini at the Lat
eran palace February II, 1929. The
treaty was subsequently ratified by
the Pope May IA, and by the Italian
parliament May %, and signed by
the King May 81 1t became effec-
tive June by exchange OF ratift-
cation at the Vatican. 1t was de-
signed TO end the 60 years OF dis
pute between the Vatican and Italy
over the seizure OF tne papal state
in 1870 and reconstructed the Pope
as a temporal sovereign in the tiny
area of Vatican City.
ROME, July g. U.P) = The con-
troversy between the government
and the holy see took turn for
the worse today as result OF
charges that Pope Plus XI had al
The newspaper Gironal dItalia in
an obviously inspired" article, as
serted that the pontiff had worked
with enemies of the Fascists both
at home and abroad.
The charge followed earlier press
attacks involving the Catholic lay
mems organization Azione Cattolica
ztnk Al oil N
volyed III anti-Fascist activities -
but for the first time aimed direct
ly at the Pope.
A challenge was issued by the
newspaper TO the OsserVatore
Romano. semi-official Vatican or
gan. defying 1t to disayoW formally
any solidarity between the Pope and
the anti-Fascists.
The recent encyclical of Pope
Plus, which was sent secretly TO
Paris was declared to be "a violent
act of hostility" because of its at
taks in connection with the educa-
ton OF the youth of the nation.
1T hurt Italy's national con-
science" the newspaper said, be
cause it was manifestly anti-Italian
in character. What is the worth OF
a concordat with the holy see. con-
sidering that the holy see violates
the spirit of that document?'
ROME, July 8. UP)-Premier
Benito Mussolini ruled today that
membership in both the Fascist
party and the Azione Cattolica, the
Catholic lay organization, are in
compatible.
The ruling was regarded as the
most drastic move yet taken in the
controversy between the Vatican
and Italy, and would compel Catho-
lies to desert Azione If they desire
to remain Fascists. At the same
time, it was said on high authority
that Mussolini was considering de-
nouncing the Concordat, or acti-
waiting instrument of the Lateran