The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-24

internal strife OF the administration, which
is attributed to the ambition of NJ. Edward
Combes, son OF the President Of the Coun-
Gil of Ministers, who is represented as seek
ing to upset the Project of Police, NJ. LIE
pine, in order to take his place.
NJ. Combes survived the first shock Of bat
tie very well. He replied by scorning the
interpretations aimed at him as fathe of
a family. AS for the interpretations on his
ate discussion, his was the parliamentary
field of battle, which lasted two days. Tues
day and Wednesday.
oPPosITIoN's TACTICS.
The tactics OF the opposition consist In
attributing to the ministry the RESPONSE
btlity for disorders provoked by the So
%ctalists, who are going to make disturb
ances in church to prevent from preaching
former members of the religious orders who
have not been made secular priests
The tactics Of the President of the Coun-
cl are. on the contrary, to prove that he is
only opposed to the congregations, and in
tends to protect liberty Of worship-that his
policy is anti-clerical, not ant-relIgious.
Such was for two days the basis for the
debate. It was complicated by a move Of
the socialists, who wanted to make it ap-
pear as an assent to a discussion Of Diff
ferent bills relative to the a%brogation Of the
concord at and the separation of curch and
state. NJ. Combes rejected for the time be-
Ing this combination. which a part Of his
majority adopts. for on this point a part Of
the majority. the extreme left, is more adj
vanced than the ministry.
There resulted. right in the midst of the
sitting, between the Cabinet and the ma
Jority, a struggle which the opposition per-
ceived- Its member Immediately susnended
their attack in the hope that the block"
not being any longer attacked by them. was
about to break up.
But the friends of tho minfstry .,.n+ad
the m~ansuver, and the usual majority
formed again on an order of the day ey-
confidence.
coMBEs IS COMMENDED.
The conduct Of N. Combes toward the
congregations met with approval, and the
hope was expressed that he would he .hle
to maintain liberty of worship. Tho minis.
try, therefore. m out whole from this
alarming situation.
1t is to be hoped that on Sunday the pub
lie prayers. ordered. perhaps imprudently.
by the Bishops. will not bring any disorder.
that the Socialists will not put their threats
of interference into execution, and, above
all. that the Catholics will not listen to the
imprudent advice of those who are inviting
them to come to their churches armed to
the teeth.
We have enough causes for trouble in the
protests of the Bishops. In the
Of the salaries Of priests. and. II
must also be admitted. in the severe punish
ishments inflicted by General Andre upon a
certain number Of officers who have given
proofs Of i'll will. either by criticisinx the
of the ministry or refusing to obey
the acquisitions OF the Police Commission
ers.
There is not much said about these Off
GERS VINO are three or four in number.
nevertheless these acts of insubordinatIon
or Otherwise are just as disquietins as
strikes or riots.
M. Chaumie has come back to Paris. after
q trip IN Italy and Greece, where he has
been the object Of warm greetings, and es-
peciaty BY the Italians. who are pushing
their eourtesies to the extreme in order to
renew cordial relations with the French.