Evening star., 1936-12-06
S0DA[|T|ES PLEDGE.
COMMUNIST FIGHT
Union Hears Reds in Spain
and U. S. Hit by lie Buffe
and Walsh.

Of the District met at Georgetown Uni
versity and pledged their support OF
worldwide Catholic action against
Christian influences.
The speakers were the Rev. Francis
p. lie Buffe, S. j., of New York, mana
ger of the publication America, and
DR.. Edmund A. Walsh, S. j., vice presi-
dent of Georgetown University, who
warned that it would be supreme fol-
ly" for Catholics to relax their efforts
because of the negligible voting
strength of the Communist party in
the November elections.
Father LIE Buffe, Eastern organizer
of Sodalities, told the 200 young men
and women delegates from IL local col
leges and high schools that Francisco
Franco, the insurgent commander in
Spain, and George Washington, the
American rebel" were alike in that
each had revolted in defense of funda-
mental rights.
Yet Franco is proclaimed as a
"rebel' and Fascist" he said, and
President Azana is regarded as the
champion of democracy"
Father lie Buffe indicated that If
Franco Is q Fascist, then Washington
must have been one also.
1T is one of the strangest turn
abouts of history" he said, that the
daily press of the United States should
be on the side of the Communist gov
ernment in Spain.
Tyranny of Red Rulers"
"Our country owes its origin to a
revolution against tyranny and yet
that tyranny was loving rule COM
pared with the tyranny Of the red
rulers of Spain. We fought largely for
civil rights. Franco and his army with
the great majority of the Spanish peo-
pie solidly with them, are fighting for
the fundamental rights and decenies
of life"
tending that all the Spanish reds are
devils nor all the insurgents
saints"
I'VE are not talking of them" he
added. I'VE are talking of causes
and we say emphatically that the
cause of the Reds is the inhuman
cause which denies God and all things
which decent men think worth
while. The cause of the Insurgents Is
the cause of the true Spaniards who
are striving to hold to the funda-
mental rights of the right to life. lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
IF that be fascism, then the very
foundations of American independence
were laid in fascism and Washing
ton and his rebel army deserve the
condemnation of us ALL" he concluded.
Speaking on "Communism's Chal-
lenge to Youth" DR.. Walsh reminded
the Sodality Union representatives
that Pope Plus XII had called on all
Catholics to combat communism as
"the greatest menace of our times"
He also referred to the stand taken
by the American hierarchy on No
vember 20 in warning that 1.-The forces
of atheism and neo-paganism, with
their offspring, communism and des-
potism. are attempting to rob life Of
all that is spiritual and supernatural"
Sees Red Menace Present.
Referring to the November elec-
tions, DR.. Walsh told the young peo-
pie that it was erroneous to judge
the results as relegating the Com
munist menace "to the limbo of out
worn and exaggerated issues"
This method of reasoning is based
on a dangerous misapprehension that
might easily lead to growing in
difference respecting the greatest peril
to Christian civilization ." he
said.
1T Is not on the 81 1000 registered
American Communists that commun-
ism counts" Dr. Walsh said. Its
leaders rely on the 100000 friends
in affiliated organizations on
the growing number of school teach
ers, professors, writer's and subtle
propagandists who are trained to
play ceaselessly on the social resent
ment of the masses until legitimate
economic complaints are transformed
into class hatred"
He declared it was not outside the
range of probability that the decline
In the voting strength Of the Com
munists last November may be di-
rectly traceable to the aroused and
better-organized Catholic counter at
tack" He warned, however. that
the battle as yet is in the "skirmish
stage"
As a result of their deliberations
yesterday, the Sodality Union voted
to organize flying squadrons," COM
posed of four speakers from each Of
the IL represented schools, to con-
duct an active campaign in the Dis
trict against atheism and commu-
nism. 1t was the purpose to hold
symposiums and also utilize the radio
In the campaign.
They adopted resolution also ten
dering their aid to Archbishop Mi
chael j. Curley of Baltimore in any
way he may wish them to serve in
the cause of Catholic action. The
convention was held under auspices
Of the Georgetown Sodality, Oldest in
the United States, with delegates
from Georgetown Visitation Convent,
Trinity College, Georgetown Prepara-
tory School. Holy Cross Academy. St
Paul's Academy. Notre Dame Acad-
emy, Sacred Heart Academy. I'M
maculata Academy and Gonzaga, Holy
Trinity and st. Anthony's high
schools.
Rev. Vincent S. McDonough, S. j..
student counselor of Georgetown. ar
ranged the convention. while Francis
e. Hickey of Georgetown. member of
the Advisory Board of Sodalities, was
q, eI,o ,0a ~ diec1tccinns