Evening star., 1941-10-02

religion In Russia, together with
thousands of closed churches speak
louder than printed words. -"
Support for your emergency poll
cies cannot be secured by ridiculous,
unsupported propaganda"
Mr.. Roosevelt had advised re-
porters present at his conference
to read article 124 of the Russian
constitution, which he said pro-
vided for freedom of conscience and
freedom of religion and propaganda
against religion - essentially the
same rule as Americans have, al
though We do not put 1t the same
way, he added.
DR.. John Haynes Holmes of New
York, vice chairman of the Keep
America Out of War Congress, de-
clared IN a statement that ito COM
pare the religious situation in Rus
sia under the Soviet constitution
with the religious situation in the
United States is a ghastly joke,
as we'll as an insult to the Amer
ican people"
Facade for Tyranny"
He added:
president Roosevelt is impressed
by the fact that the constitution of
Soviet Russia protects freedom of
religion in that country. The
Soviet constitution has never been
anything more than a fine facade
for tyranny. I" If a Polish
Catholic church and Polish syna-
gogue are being opened in Moscow
today, it is not because of any con-
stitutional guarantees, but only be-
cause Stain, the dictator, finds 1t
advisable in the present war situa-
ton to grant this favor"
A declaration that article 124 of
the Russian constitution was moth
ing but a hollow SHELF came yester-
day from the Rev. Edmund A.
Walsh, S j., vice president of
Georgetown University and in 1928
q representative of the Holy See in
negotiations at Moscow on religious
freedom.
Supplementing the Russian con-
stitution, he said, a decree was is
sued in 1929 and was still in effect
under which 1T is forbidden to
teach religion to children under 19
years of age" Moreover, he said
these children are forbidden "to
participate even in the restricted
religious rites and worship men,
toned" In Article 124.
Under this and other DEGREES, he
charged, teachers of religion, priests
and laymen alike" have been ar
rested and executed or banished to
the concentration camps" and the
Catholic clergy practically ami
hilated."
Opportunity for Service.
President Roosevelt has the power
now, Father Walsh said in conclu-
sion, ito make historic contribu-
tion to the cause of true freedom,
continuing:
''He will do this if he undertakes
to induce the authorities of Soviet
Russia to remove the unjustiflable
determinations still in practice ano
restore to the long suffering Russian
people that first shining jewel
among the four freedoms to which
the Government and the people OF
the United States are irrevocably
committed.
eff he can achieve this fine serv-
Ice to humanity, I am confident he
will receive a new measure of sup
port from certain quarters which
may astonish him." Father Walsh
said.
Chairman Dies of the House Com
mittee on Un-American Activitie:
wrote Mr.. Roosevelt that Il rise tc
protest against any effort in any
quarter to dress the Soviet wolf II
the sleeps clothing of the foul
freedoms
Stain Statements Quoted.
He went on to quote anti-religiou;
statements by Josef Stain and othel
Communist leaders and added:
Il call upon you, Mr.. President
10 clarity the situation with respect
to Stain and the four freedoms by
making it unmistakably clear thai
the Soviet regime is utterly repug.
nant to the American people ane
nowhere more so than in its crue
pretense to freedom of religious
worship"
Senator Chavez, Democrat. of New
Mexico said in a statement tha
what counted was mot what tn,
Soviet constitution provided for, bu
what actually happened since tn
soviets took over"
n 4