Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-26
Gather at Brest and Assert They viii Pro-
teot the Sisters.
CONVERT SCHOOL INTO a FORTRESS
Plaoards Are Posted in Townships Urging
Resistance to the Police
WOMEN ARE MAKING VIOLENT PROTEST
say Blood VIII Flow II Measures Are
Not Taken to stop the Alleged
uI-TFeatment of sis-
tera.

PARIS, July LO.-A berlOuB SlluaLlOn ID
prevailing in the Catholic country around
Brest on account Of the closing Of the un-
authorized schools. The countryside has
taken up arms and is determined to resist
any attempt at the forcible execution Of
the orders Of the premier.
An incident yesterday evening at Saint
Meen, eighteen miles from Brest, shows the
spirit OF the peasantry. Two newspaper
men of Brest drove there in an automobile
to investigate the situation at the Sisters
school. Immediately after they entered
the commune a boy sounded a bugle and
crowds of peasants swarmed from the fields,
armed with pitchforks and iron-bound
sticks ahouting, Long live the sistersl"
Long live liberty'
One OF the reporters was dragged from
the automobile and the fanatics beat him
with thell pitchforks and sticks. The news
paper man explained in the Breton dialect
that they had only come in search Of in
formation, but the crowd refused to listen
TO him and the reporter had to keep them
1t bay with a revolver. He succeeded in
regaining the automobile and drove on at
hull speed, followed by a shower OF stones
Fortress Made of school.
A school at PIoudaniel. in the same
neighborhood, has been converted into a
the inhabitants have formed a Gordon
about the surrounding area. The lady su-
perlor said:
"You see our barricades. They must
shoot us before we yield. There will be
hloodshed II anyone attempts to enter"
Placards have been posted in the town
ships urging resistance to the police.
The population Of Landerneau, twelve
miles from Brest, has formed relays to
guard the school and peasant women sit
on benches opposite the gate knitting
while awaiting the coming of the gem
dsrmes. They are greatly excited and de-
clare they prefer to be shot rather than
abandon the sisters The lady superior Of
the Landerneau convent said: Like true
Bretons, we will only yield to force. The
women and other people who are guarding
the school night and day have given US a
courageous example,"
The population Of Roscoff is guarding
the schools day and night. Sentinels ARE
watching the road and men are sleeping
on the ground IN the neishborhood IN or
der to be ready at the FIRST alarm. Count
Albemun. the clerical leader in the Cham
Der Of Deputies. is stumping the country
denouncing the action Of the government
and urging resistance.
Women ImpiOre Madame LOubet.
A strange scene. reminiscent Of stormier
sadder days in France, occurred today al
the Elysee palace. large delegation Of
women, including the wives Of several
members Of the Chamber OF Deputies. as.
tembIed at the palace to endeavor per-
IonaIly to implore Nine Loubet TO appeal
10 her husband TO stop the school persecu-
lions
Nine Loubet sent out word to them by
General Dubois, head OF the president
military household. that It was impossible
Tor her to receive deputation Upon {
subject which was solely within the scop'
Of the executive.
The wife of Deputy Reille made a violen
protest.
Tell Nine. Loubet." she said. that th'
blood Of women will how II measures arr
not taken to stop this ill-treatment Of th
sisters. We will address letter to III
wife OF the president, in which We vii
declare war upon the oppressors Tn
Christian women Of France have decided
not to suffer in silence"
A cabinet council at the Elysee pal
ace today examined the question:
brought up by the application Of TIL
law OF associations. President Loubet stgne
4 decree submitted by the premier. N
Combes. ordering the forcible closure G
twenty-six congregational schools 4
Paris and in the department OF the Seine
which have refused 10 disperse voluntarily
DEGREES closing forcibly similar schools 1
other departments will be signed 80 soon a
the prefects' reports are received.
The Journal ofleiel publishes deere
signed by President Loubet, designatin
twelve oongregationist schools in Paris an
6ourteen In the department OF the sein
which Il orders 10 be closed Immediately, a
they have been opened since the passage
the law OF associations without authorizes
tion. AS matter Of fact most OF tn
schools designated have been closed a
ready and the sisters in charge OF thel
have returned to converts.
great clerical demonstration was mad
In front OF the town hall at Anglers capit
OF the department OF Maine Eloire, lai
night and was continued till midnight. III
municipal council was in session az n
time OF the demonstration. There WI
much fighting between students OF Il
Catholic college and the radicals, in whi'
several persons were injured. Twelve a
rests were made.