Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-24
FRANCE IN A FERMENT.

The present agitation provoked by the
order of Prime Minister Combes of
France to close the schools of unauthor-
lied congregations recalls to some extent
the scenes enacted when NJ. Ferry, then
Premier, expelled the Jesuits in 1880.
Demonstrations in favor of the nuns
and the teaching friars are taking place
in Paris, and many private places
in the provinces where the perfects pre-
scented themselves at the schools and or
dered that the institutions be closed.
The nationalist vejoined the clericals
in the agitation, and their leaders are in
the forefront of the efferyescence in
Paris. Considerable sympathy has been
worked up in behalf of the nuns, and
their schools have been made the partic-
ular objects of demonstrations.
Clericals called upon their sympathi-
zers TO meet outside of the schools con-
Quoted by the sisters of st. Vincent de
Paul, in the northeast quarter OF
Paris, which was closed yester-
day afternoon, and a considerable
crowd gathered there, compelling large
body of police and mounted municipal
guards to form Gordon in the streets
leading to the school. A few collisions
occurred between the clericals and counter
demonstrators, who replied TO the cleri-
Gals cries of 'Long live the good sis
tersp and 'Long live liberty with
"Down with the priestsP' and Long live
the republicp A nationalist member of
the Chamber of Deputies was arrested
while trying to force his way through the
police Gordon, but was subsequently
released.
Anti-clerical meetings in the Latin
quarter in the evening led to some efer-
vescence, but no noteworthy disorder.
A few students, followed by crowd
composed of the rougher element, march
ed up and down the Boulevard st.
Michel until late hour, chanting anti
clerical refrains and shouting "Down
with the priests and the Pope" They
fled at the sight of the mounted guards
and patrol.
TIC RItdltot tAtiltniNHt III BAVf
inces is displayed the clerical strong
hold of Brittany, where the peasants
have gathered in front of the nuns
schools in several places and declare they
will not allow the nuns to be expelled.
At Landerneau a crowd of farmers and
women have mounted guard before the
school of the sisters awaiting the arrival
of the police.
The residents of the village of Plou-
daniel who are also guarding the sisters
school, seized lay schoolmaster and
thrashed him with nettles. At La
Bresse, in the Department Of Vosgos,
the commissary of police, accompanied
by gendarmes, thrice tried to approach
the congregation school in order to effect
its closure, but was obliged to abandon
the attempt because Of the threatening
attitude of the population.
Demonstrators at st. Ambroix, near Mines
detached the horses from the carriages which
were conveying the sisters TO the railway
station and dragged the vehicles, with their
occupants, back to the convent, shouting.
Down with the tyrants," Gendarnes were.
powerless to prevent them from carrying Out
their plans and reinforcements had TO be sum-
mOned.
Against these and similar incidents must be
set of the addresses in support Of the Govern
ment voted by many municipal councils.
While considerable sympathy is felt for the
sisters personally, Prime Minister Combes
takes the grosRd that he is supported by the
mass of the people, and is not likely to recede
from tho position he has taken. The trouble