New-York tribune., 1902-07-26
FRENCH CABINET FIRM.
TO CLOSE MORE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
EXCITEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC.
WOMEN APPEAL TO THE WIFE OF THE
PRESIDENT-OLD MEMORIES
REVIVED.

Paris. July pa Cabinet council at the
Eiysee Palace to-day examined the questions
brought up by the application of the Law of
Associations. President Loubet signed decree
submitted by the Premier. NJ. Combes, ordering
the forcibe closure of twenty-six Congregatlonist
schools in Paris and in the Department of the
Seine which have refused to disperse volun-
tarily. DEGREES closing forcibly similar schools
in other departments will be signed so soon az
the projects reports are received.
A strange scene, reminiscent of stormier, sad
der days in France. occurred to-day at the
Elysee Palace. A large delegation of women
including the wives of several members of the
Chamber of Deputies assembled at the palace
to endeavor personally to implore Nine. Loubet
to appeal TO her husband. the President. to stop
the school prosecutions.
Nine. LOubet sent out word to them by Cen
eral Dubois head of the Presidents military
household. that it was impossible for her to re-
ceive a deputation upon a subject which was
solely within the scope Of the executive.
The wife Of Deputy Reille made violent pro-
test Tell Nine. Loubet" she said. that the
blood of women will flow If measures are not
taken TO stop this Ill treatment of the Sisters
We viii address letter to the wife of the Presi-
dent in which will declare war upon the op-
pressOrs The Christian women Of France have
decided not 10 suffer in silence"
serious situation is prevailing In the Catho-
lie country around Brest on account of the clos
ing of the Unauthorized schools. The country
side has taken up arms. and is determined to
resist any attempt at the forcible execution of
the orders of the Premier. An incident yester-
day evening at St. Meen. eighteen miles from
Brest shows the spirit of the peasantry. Two
newspaper men OF Brest drove there in an au-
tOmObe TO investigate the situation at the
Sisters school Immediately after they had
entered the commune a boy sounded bugle,
and crowds of peasants swarmed from the fields
armed with pitchforks and iron bound sticks
shouting, Long live the Sisters!" Long live
liberty" one Of the reporters was dragged
from the automobile. and the fanatics beat him
with their pItchforks and sticks. The news
paper man explained in the Breton dialect that
he had only come in search OF information but
the crowd refused 10 listen to him, and the
reporter had 10 keep them at bay with re-
volver He succeeded in regaining the auto
mobile. and drove off at full speed, followed
by a shower OF stones.
A school at Ploudaniel, in the same neighbor-
hood has been converted into a fortress barrt-
cades have been erected and the inhabitants
have formed a Gordon about the surrounding
area. The Lady Superior said:
You barricades- They must shoot
us before we yield. There will be bloodshed X
any one attempts 10 enter
Placards have been posted in the townships
urging resistance 10 the police.
The population ~ Lsuderneau. twelve miles
from Brest. has formed relays to guard the
school and peasant women sit on benches oppo-
site the gate knitting while awaiting the coming
Of the gendarmes. They greatly excited
and declare they prefer TO be shot rather than
abandon the Sisters. The Lady Superior OF the
Landerneau convent said:
Like true Bretons will only yield 10 force
The women ana other people who are guarding
the school night and day have given us a coura-
BCous example"
The population OF RoscoF thirteen miles from
MorlaiN. IL guarding the schools day and night
Sentneis are watching the roads, and men are
sleeping on the ground in the neighborhood in
order he ready at the first alarm
Count Albert de Mum. the Clerical leader in
the Chamber OF Deputies, Is stumping the coun-
try. denouncing the action of the government
and urging resistance.
The journal Oficier' publishes a decree.
signed by President Loubet. designating twelve
Congregdtionst schools in Paris and fourteen
In the Department OF the Seine which IL orders
to be closed Immediately. they have been
opened since the passage of the law of
Citations without authorization. AS matter OF
fact most Of the schools designated have been
closed already. and the Sisters in charge of them
have returned to converts.
A great clerical demonstration made In
front of the Town Hall at Anglers. capital OF
the Department OF Maine-et-Loire tonight and
was continued till midnight. The Municipal
Council was In session the time of the dem
onstratiOn There much fighting betf cen
students of the Catholic college and the Rad
icals in which several persons injured.
Twelve arrests We're made.