The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-14
PREMIER COMBES KISSED
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE Gov
EMINENT BY FRENCH PEASANTS.
Troops Obliged to Restore Order on
the Occasion Of the dwelling of q
Monument to Renan.

PARIS. Sept. bon the occasion Of the
unveiling of a memorial to Ernest Renan,
the historian and Orientalist, in his native
town of Treguier, Brittany. to-day some
demonstrations were made against Pre-
mier Combes in the villages through which
his carriage passed on the way to Treguier
from Portrieux. Kisses and shouts of "a
bas Combes" and ''Vive la liberte'' were
raised by the peasants At the ceremony,
at which speeches were delivered by the
author, Anatole France. and others, Pre-
mier Combes, in expressing his thanks for
the excellent reception given him at the
function, said: 81 heard few Misses Let
me compare them to the melodies played on
the flute behind the conquerors chariot in
olden times to remind them that, raised by
the people, they must govern by the peo-
ple."
During the delivery OF the speeches the
antagonistics Of Premier Combes became
so threatening, trying to force the barrier
and shouting denunciations OF the mayor
OF Treguier, that the police and authorities
being unable to restore order a detachment
of troops was ordered out. The soldiers
forced the hostile crowd back and restored
quiet.
Chaumie, minister of public instruction.
who delivered an eulogy Of Renan, many
Republican deputies for Brittany and other
personages. The memorial took the form
of bronze statue representing Renan
seated in characteristic attitude, while
behind stands a gilded figure of Minerva
decorations around the statue were orna-
mental notices inscribed ''VNe Renan,"
Long live free thought" etc, which par
ticularly incensed the Catholics. The lat
ter arranged for an expiatory service in
Treguir Cathedral. to take place at the
same hour as the unwilling Of the statue,
with the participation of Able Gayraud
and other clerical deputies.
The Clerical party has had thoroughly
organized its demonstrations and the peas
ants from the surrounding villages as
sembled at Tregufr armed with cudgels
accompanied by their women folk, clad In
the picturesque costumes of Brittany. Some
of the bands were headed by the parish
priests. The republican villagers also gath
cred at Treguir and along the route taken
by the premier and the two hostile parties
raised cries and counter-cries During the
did their best to drown the voices OF the
speakers with shouts OF Down with
Keenan," Down with Combes." ETC., to
which the republicans replied with equally
The presence of strong force of troops
prevented free fight between the factions.
stration took place when Premier Combes
visited the house in which Renan was
born and during the disorder Baroness
Kerpodson was hustled by the crowd. An
auti-CicIICdi W io uIcW his TcFolNef was ar
rested: The husband Of the baroness was
roughly handled.
A banquet Of 1000 Blues" as the Repub-
Hcans are called in Brittany, followed the
unwilling exercises, at which Premier
Combes. In the course Of q long speech, pre-
dicted that the time was not distant when
the peasants Of Brittany would shake off
the yoke of the clergy. He defended the
policy of the government. saying he had
| only 10 recite the history OF the last few
months In order to demonstrate that the
clergy had persistently violated the law
supported the unauthorized congregations
| In the rebellion against the civil authority
and stirred up the population to a religious
war.