Mexican Turmoil

Nuns Ransomed. Many influential laymen of the Catholic Church appeared before the U. S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee last week to urge that the U. S. break off diplomatic relations with Mexico on account of the recent enforcement (TIME Feb. 22) of anti-foreign religious clauses in the Mexican constitution. Affidavits were offered to prove that 21 Carmelite nuns were recently dragged from their convent by Mexican soldiers, marched to Mexico City and told that they were about to be distributed among the local brothels, there to be subjected to enforced prostitution. They were released when a bribe of 100 pesos ($50) was accepted by their guard.

Mother Margaret Semple, Superior of the Convent at Cozeacan, Mexico, who testified before the Committee, stated that when she left Mexico Ambassador Sheffield suggested that upon reaching the U. S. she "talk loudly and at length" about her experiences. She added: "He knew I would do it and I knew he was not at liberty publicly to tell all he knew. . . ."

Her testimony alleged further molestation of nuns by marauders, whom they "fought off. ... I do not mean that we did it physically. We did it with the tongue. . . and the tongue was effective in the instance I am speaking of."

Not Retroactive? Despatches indicated that the Calles Government has issued regulations covering the enforcement of the anti-alien land laws (TIME, Jan. 25) to Mexican judges, largely nullifying the alleged "retroactive" features of these laws, which have been made the subject of numerous official U. S. protests (TIME, Jan. 25 et seq.) Legal opinion had not crystallized last week as to the actual status of this legislation.

Pre-Easter Rite. Throughout Mexico pious citizens celebrated Holy Saturday by burning, mangling and blowing up with firecrackers effigies representing Judas Iscariot.