The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
rHE FRENCH CONGREGATIONS
prN,LT on EUROPE OF CONFESS
PERSECUTION.

r-.,,s,. Enemies Delaghted--All Ready
"a Admit the Expelled Congregations
Italy, England and Germany Open
rbslr Doors to the Religious Orders.
pour. June 1.-THE French Republic
,,a mat lost a great moral and political
L.,+ls in the face OF the whole world. Two
S.o,inps dominate the general opinion re-
..rding NJ. Combes's war upon the con-
srsgatons: The Joy at seeing France grow
soaE and lose consideration. and the praise
sor this internal dissension. Herr Won
pismarck, in his best speech in 1883, pro-
olaimed the Importance OF moral and "im-
"ooderable" forces in the delicate domain
~ general politics. The prestige, the good
name the influence and the respect for
,ha republic have been lowered in all
countries. What little sympathy there
visited for the urbanity. the good grace
and the humanism Of France is dropping
.way like the leaves on a whitening tree.
ror her rivals and those jealous Of her,
the feeling is joined to the keen desire
Nat the war may continue and that France
n,sv shut herself out from the action OF
International Powers.
m the political results Of Europe's favor
Inp the religious persecution. The French
Government thought that the excitement
aroused by the Dreyfus affair and the spirit
NJ imitation would prevent nations and
States from giving the e1iles a gracious
bospitality. 1t seems indisputable that
the hopes Of the Paris coalition have been
disappointed and that the Powers, instead
n, following the example Of France, have
received the expelled monks with eager
ness.
In Spain and in Portugal the imitation OF
the Partisan model has broken down In the
taos Of the attitude Of the people and the
interests OF the State. Some difficulties
have arisen In Switzerland; at Athens the
university professors have urged the
Government to save" Greek civilization;
at Constantinople the orthodox and ecu
menical Patriarch has devoted an encyclical
to the invasion" OF the religious orders.
whose schools disturb the Oriental indo-
lence and incompetence But, on the one
hand, these rare prosecutions have decided
nothing, have compromised nothing, and,
on the other hand, the prosecuted have
received SLScWnSIc SCiOiVh'b hAAANAy
and Interested reception.
The French Republic with it's civil war
and its inextrioable embarrassments Is
crucifying itself in a great solitude, like q
funereal pyramid in the midst Of bound
less desert. 1t alone has the privilege
Of taking pleasure in suicidal object.
Even in Italy, to which the Quai dOrsay
offers favors, gold and CONCESSIONS; in
Italy, so hostile to the Pope; in Italy.
where the whole external and internal
policy is based on the fight against the
Church--in Italy, the Government, in spite
OF the entreaties Of the anti-clericals to
resist the threatening deluge Of the friars,
has given lesson Of justice and Of toler-
ance to M. Combes and the majesty OF
the Palais Bourbon.
At London public opinion and the Gov
eminent have showered attentions and
hattering demonstrations on the monks
Among the Ritualists the proposal to Join
in the protests against NJ. Combes's regu-
lations was discussed for a moment. Luz
theran Prussia. need not say. heaps up
Aattery and facilities After the Kaisers
trip to Monte Casino this fact stands out in
peculiar relief; it is a conduct Numerically
opposed to the hatred and violence Of which
the congregations are the victims at Paris.
Doubtless these countries and states are
willing to profit by the decapitation of the
Republic. The monks bring to them capital
and moral body. What France loses the
world gains. For two centuries. not with
out reason. the opponents Of the monarchy
have approached Louis XIV. with the revo-
cation OF the Edict of Nantes. which I'M
poverished France and enriched Europe.
Granting the exagserations which have
been made for this view. we must accept
the lessons which the exact parallel pro-
vides. We have the same procedure and
the same violence, the same material,
intellectual and moral losses.
Such are the profits and the advan-
tages Of M. Combes's policy. But such
high views and such serious weight Of in
tsrests will not stop the arm nor the hatred
OF tho cabal M. Combes is obeying an order
and a task; the persecution keeps on.
INNoMINATo.
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