PRIMATE ARRESTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 126, 9 March 1935, Page 5

PRIMATE ARRESTED.

MEXICAN GOVERNMENT'S ACT. BREACH OF RELIGIOUS LAW. (United Press Association— Copyright.), MEXICO CITY,, March 7. The Private Secretary of Archbishop PascuaJ. Diaz, Catholic Primate of Mexico, said that the Archbishop was arrested on Thursday while en route to the town of Tlaneplantla, in the Mexico Federal District. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Received This Day,. 12.20 p.m.) MEXICO CITY, March 8. Government officials issued a statement that Archbishop Diaz is held in custody on a charge of violation of the religious-laws. -

The Government of Mexico has for some years been carrymg out an anti-Church programme and ™"*™°* on the part of. the Catholic Paity has led~to bloodshed on occasions, -A tew weeks ago Archbishop" Diaz was summoned to the Attorney-General s office, following the publication by him or instructions relating to the exeornmunicability of Catholics participating in government office and of parents sending tEew children to schools socialism is taught. After brief questioning, the Archbishop explained he *< had merelv relayed orders of the Apostolic Delegate. The authorities then told him that these instructions might be considered subversive. Simultaneously, it was announced that a widespread conspiracy in Mexico and the United States against the Mexican Government had been discovered, seven persons being arrested. They were described as followers of General Antonio Villareal, defeated Presidential candidate in'the last elections, and of Jose Vasconcelos in exile since he lost in the 1930 Presidential elections.