New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-31
CLUBS AND KNUCKLE BUSTERS USED IN CHURCH.
BLOOD AND BLOWS FIGURE IN THE SERTICES OF SEV-
ERAL PARTISAN SANCTJ-ARIES.
Paris. Nav ~.

Paris, May -
Preliminary skirnishes between Clericals and
Catholics that took place in Paris on Sunday
when episcopal letters were read in the principal
churches enjoining parishioners to offer up pub
lie prayers Of protest against the law regulat-
ing religious associations indicate that the great
battle between church and state viii before
long be fought TO a finish. The police precau-
tions ssken by the government were on a grand
scale. Five thousand policemen guarded the en-
frances to the churches in the working districts,
and this imposing display of force prevented dis
order from becoming general. Nevertheless, in a
few churches, notably at Saint Jean Baptiste de
BeIevflle and at Notre Dame de Plaisance, con-
hicts took place that recalled the sanguinary
days OF the Catholic League.
On Sunday the weather was mild and spring
showers alternated with bright bursts Of sun
shine DESTROYS of getting glimpse of the true
feeling Of Paris. I made rapid visit to the
leading churches Those in the fashionable
quarters OF the city were guarded by squads OF
police but worshippers entered, prayerbook IN
hand. and everything went on smoothly without
incident. This the case at the Madeleine, at
sainte-Honore d'EyIau, at Saint Augustin. at
Saint Su1pice and at Sainte Clotilde The II
o'clock services were celebrated without inter
ruption, not only at the above mentioned places
Of worship, but also at the churches in the
Not so. however. at the afternoon vesper ser
vices. It had been announced that Father Oriol
a Jesuit preacher, would address the parish
toner's Of the picturesque Church Of Saint Jean
Baptiste at Belleville, which, near the famous
gardens and terraces Of the Buttes-Chaumont.
commands superb view Of Paris and the Seine
At 2 o'clock the interior of the church was
crowded. Around rhe altar were seated forty
or fifty butchers OF La Villette with stout sticks
and knuckIe busters These were the famous
royalist bands that some years ago had been or
ganized by the late Marquis de Mores to take
part in the street riots to upset the republic.
Near these fighting men from he slaughter
houses of La villette were the members Of the
royaIist and clerical committees In the centre
of the church small but compact group of
socialists had taken their places. At 2:3O the
Jesuit preacher, Father Oriol. arose in the choir
and mounted the steps Of the pulpit He began
his sermon with the words. My dear brethren"
At this moment a great bury socialist stood
up and interrupted the discourse with the re-
mark: Citizen preacher, Are you authorized
to- Before the sentence was completed
gang Of La vllette butcher boys stood up and
vociferated xiii the brutal wretch Turn him
and his blackguard canaiIle friends into the
Street" The Jesuit priest stood motionless IN
the pulpit The butcher boys jumped over seats
toward the socialist and his knot Of adherents,
and free fight ensued. Bilies and knuckle
busters made great havoc among the socialists,
six of whom had their heads cut open and bled
profuseIy Women shrieked and tainted Chairs
flew about like hot cakes. The gorgeOusly uni
formed Swiss beadle, with gold cooked nat.
feathers and epaulettes kicked in the stom-
ach by a socialist and sank plaintively to the
floor before he could use either his sword or his
haIberd both Of which proved more cumbersome
rEar II
smashed. and fragments OF colored glass were
thrown about inficting cuts and wounds. Two
nuns were accidentally knocked over The
curate of the church. the Able Sara. looked
t,ri1nly at the fight from the altar and priest
in black Jesuit dress handed him revolver
The able prudently slipped the weapon under
his surplice and made attempt TO use IT,
Another Jesuit priest climbed in a WINDOW ana
pointed out to the Villette butcher boys the
socialists who greatly outnumoered, were get
ting the worst of the fight The struggle pro
ceeded in the nave. the choir and the sacrlsty-
According to French law the police are not per-
rnitted 10 enter the interiors of churches where
the c11rste and his religious clerical subordinates
are responsible for the maintenance OF order.
unless specially requested by the episcopate 10
do so: consequently the Villette butcher boys
and their clerical leaders had It all their
way Twenty socialists were laid low with
broken heads and the rest were driven out into
the streets The scrimmage lasted good half
hour The calm. paIefaced Jesuit preacher.
Father Oriol. as as the ground was cleared.
recommended his sermon with clear. penetrating
voice He spoke for a quarter OF an hour about
the worship Of the Holy Virgin and Christian
charity" not making any allusion TO the lively
S. enes that had just been going on When the
sermon was concluded the curate of the church.
Able Sara. presumably with the loaded revolver
still in his surplice pocket. assembled the pulpit
and pronounced a long and beautiful prayer for
..the unfortunate brethren who brought trouble
and discord among u.s. The prayer being end
ed. the able said: AN irreverent interrupter