The Washington times., 1936-12-24
VOICE FALTERS
DURING RADIO
BROADCAST
Pontiff Points to War
In Spain as Menace
World Peace

subservience Of civiliza | IN,
against the spread Of an athe-
istic Communism, are many who
in this defense claim for them
selves leadership.
SORROWFUL PICTURE
eve see with sorrow not few
allowing themselves to be dOmi-
mated and guided by false and
fatal ideas, both in their choice
of remedies and in the appraisal
Of their adVerSarieS."
His own illness, which forced
him to speak through a silver
plated microphone hung over his
bed, however, was enumerated by
the 79-year-old Pontiff as among
the joys Of the year counterbal-
ancing his woes.
Almost jubilantly, while the car
dinals around the bed stood in
awed silence, the Holy Father
spoke Of his personal experience"
of suffering. In a tone ringing
with fervor, he asked that Jesus
accept his suffering "in particu-
lar manner for Spain, now so
troubled, and for that reason so
dear to us"
Although he felt the heart Stim-
ulant necessary for the Pope, DR..
Milani would not say whether the
strain of the speech-much longer
in delivery than had been ex-
pected- would result in another
serious turn in the Pontiff'S all
ment.
Weak at Finish
Vatican attaches, nevertheless,
described the Pope as exhausted"
after the speech.
Communis mand it's leaders,
"who pretend to be the defenders
Of order against the subservience
Of civilization" the Holy Father
said, repeating earlier criticisms,
constitute "a new menace, more
threatening than ever. and prin-
cipally for Europe"
The economic ideals Of these
leaders, he said in his most direct
attack on Communism, are false
and fatal"
The messages of coincidence on
his illness; the pilgrimage of
Catholic Journalists; the centenar-
les Of st. Paul and Of the death
Of st. Sylvester, he listed among
the years joys.
Suffers for Spain
Defeating his suffering par
tic1larly to Spain, he gave his
fervent thanks to "all, for the
prayers which have lately come
from every part Of the church."
Speaking over a world hookup,
he said, 1--WE feel near and present
to the great Catholic family in
the radiant light Of the star of
Bethlehem in this annual recur-
renee of the sacred season of
Christmas.
With a special glad reference to
children-'The Little Ones" he
closed with the apostolic blessing:
"That Divine Infant is to-
day in the midst of us, and in
union with him this vicar ex-
tends his hand to bIaSS you all,
beloved sons, and to invoke on
all the ambulance Of gifts and
graceS which he came to scatter
rs seeds Of an eternal and inn
perishable triumph on the face
Of the earth for men of good
will"
The Pope spoke clearly and slow
", taking half a minute less than
half an hour for his Italian YER
sion, which was rendered in Eng
lish in half the time.
Voice TrembIes
Several times, at the end of
sentences, his voice dropped into
q sigh. He almost sobbed when
he pronounced "prince of peace"
and again his tone trembled in
referring to the infant Christ"
In the middle of the address
there was pause while he took a
glass of water, after which his
voice was stronger. Afterwards
he drank a cup Of hot consomme,
and perfect quiet was ordered by
his physician.
Unable to move because Of the
painful varicoSe veins in his legs,
the holy father was propped UP in
bed for the speech.
Around the bed were Cardinal
Pacelli, papal secretary Of state,
who has taken over Vatican ad-
lani and three other hig church
dignitaries.