Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-23
CATHOLICS OF FRANCE
ANTI-CLERICAL ATTITUDE OF
THE FRENCH MINISTRY.
M. Combes Looked on With Suspicion
by Partisans of the
Church.


From the Literary Digest
Clerical newspapers throughout Europe
are bestowing much attention upon the
marked anti-clericalism of the French min
istry of NJ Combes. They concede that
considerable political power has fallen into
the hands of the former student in a Ro-
man Catholic seminary, and the outlook for
the church is considered not to be bright.
The London Tablet, an organ of the Roman
Catholic Church. sums the situation up in
the word "Freemasonry." 1t sees in the
lodges of France a dangerous foe to the
country, saying:
by means which no right of canvass
or political action can justify. pressure is
put upon the government to extend the
favor and complaisance likely to secure
predominance to Masonry. Deputies who
are MasonS are placed under obligations
and orders which are veritable attacks on
the sovereignty of the nation and their
own independence as the depositaries of the
mandates of the people. Furthermore, in
contravention of the equality of all citizens
is concerned, Freemasonry seeks to secure
for its own alone the positions a the dis
posal of the state; large numbers of the
functionaries of all grades are gained over
to and brigaded by the lodges by whose
influences they are supported against their
sGperiors, carried over the heads of their
colleagues by advancement at once
rapid and scandalous. and assured of IA
Vors and assistance of all sorts, especially
in elections
Morality of Masonry.
This paper, moreover. says that the new
premier, speaking to the brotherhood in
the lodges, declared that the morality of
Masonry was to be put in the place of
the morality taught by the religious that
had had their day" NJ. Combes has re-
Gently sent a circular to all projects of
departments telling them that your duty
constrains you to reserve the favors at
your disposal exclusively for those who
have given unequivocal proof of their fidel-
ity to republican institutions" No promo
ton in the public service can be made I'M
less the administration is first satisfied on
this point. The Paris Correspondent, a
French clerical organ, thus characterizes
the premier:
veal what his course will be. Supported
by the colleagues provided for him, a
Trouillot. a Vale, a Pelletan, a Chaumie
and the inevitable Andre, all devoured by
the same fury, he will carry on the struggle
against religious faith, against the liberty
of teaching and the rights of conscience.
Such is the passion of renegades."
Premier's Circular.
AS for the circular issued by the premier
Gals in the government service, the Core
spondant deems it abject.
when this mans past Is remembered,
does it not become apparent what threats
to the conscience are contained in his rig
marole? 1t is true NJ. Combes adds: We
have profound aversion for all that tends
toward scrutiny or suspicion of the private
beliefs Of loyal servants of the state But
We all know how a man who denounced
fathers of families in the senate (for their
political views interprets respect for pri-
vate beliefs. and if we had any doubts on
the point the odious circular just sent to
the projects by NJ. Combes would suffice
to dissipate them. 1t is a police policy
boldly proclaimed. Begun by the previous
ministry. it will under succeeding ministries
be extended and developed, placing terror
lied officials at the mercy of an ignoble
system of espionage"
II is a noteworthy fact that the clerical
organs, including the Osservatore Romano,
the Vatican paper. see no signs of any
such political change as will ameiorate
matters from their point of view. The
Nerite Franchise even prints a letter from
a priest who says that France has become
so anti-clerical that out of II 600 900 voters
the church can rely for political support
upon no more than 100000.