New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-28
FRANCE AND THE POPE.
The Governments Recall of Nisard
Upheld by Deputies.


Paris. May 27.-After an exciting debate in
which Premier Combes and NJ. Delcasse. the
Foreign Minister. set forth the action and pur-
poses Of the government toward the Vatican, the
Chamber of Deputies to-day by an overwhelm-
ing vote. approved the course of the government
in recalling NJ Nisard. ambassador to the Vat
lean. and rejected all propositions OF the extreme
element for an immediate dissolution of the re-
lations between church and state. The vote
approving the action of the government was
427 TO 90.
\ resolution proposed by NJ. Ferrette. Repub-
lican Nationalist inviting the government to
negotiate with Pope Plus for a separation Of
church and state was defeated by 50T to is. A
motion by NJ. Allard. Socialist. to break off all
relations with the Vatican and denounce the
Concordat was defeated by 3S5 to LAG.
Premier Combes took the initiative in resist
Ing all efforts to force the government to- ex-
IRENE action, and his request that all questions
regarding the separation of church and state go
over until next January has the effect of post
poning separation beyond the present session Of
Parliament.
NJ Ribot, the minority leader. was among
those voting in support of the government. The
debate attracted unusual attention. and great
crowds were present. including Ambassador
Porter and other members of the diplomatic
corps. The principal speeches were those OF
Premier Combes and NJ. Delcasse. The Premier
said that the Holy See. in document hurtful
to France, had denounced to certain European
powers the insult which it alleged the head of
the French state had inflicted upon it by re-
turning. in the undisputed capital of his king
dom, the visit received from the King of Italy.
The government had answered this document
by Immediately recalling the ambassador to the
Vatican. He also said:
This recall signifies that we cannot allow the
Holy See to interpret the presence of our am
bassador In Rome I'm a sense favorable TO its
claims or to make of this presence 10
justify pretensiOns which we reject. 1t also
means that we Will not allow the Papacy to in
termeddle in International relations. and
that we intend to have done once for all with
the superannuated fiction Of temporal power
which disappeared thirty-four years ago. We
will not withdraw the whole staff accredited to
the Vatican. as We are bound by the COncOrdat
TO maintain at the Vatican agent OF our gov
eminent for carrying on business. We cannot
suppress the embassy and the Concordat by our
own authority, for that part belongs to the
Chamber.
Some speakers urge us to denounce the Con-
cordat without delay, but such serious step
should be preceded by measures guaranteeing
the republican state against the political risks
which would be entailed by such a radical
change in its legislation and habits.
Premier Combes went on to say that several
schemes for ending the Concordat were under
consideration IN committee and it only remained
for the Chamber 10 have the question brought
up for consideration Immediately after the pas
sage OF the budget next January.
VI. Delcasse reviewed the case IN detail In
speaking OF the immediate cause OF the rupture.
he said that a Partisan paper published the text
OF the Papal note as addressed 10 other powers.
which was eouched in terms of remonstrance
which the French government could not accept.
The governments duty clear as
the authenticity OF the document had been
proved. Three courses were open-to grant the
ambassador leave TO recall him or 10 suppress
the embassy. The first seemed Inadequate. the
third was excessive. and so the government de-
cided on the second. NJ. Nisard accord
ingly instructed that in case he found the note
TO be authentic OF II an explanation regarding
it should be refused. ne should quit Rome i'm
mediately. The ambassador notified the Foreign
Omce that the PapaI Secretary Of State said
he wanted the question put in writing and that
he would answer II I'm writing. Meanwhile NJ.
DeIcasse. having obtained proof OF the anthem
ITCHY OF the note. teegraphed the ambassador
that the Secretary OF States attitude was equiv
alent 10 q refusal, and that therefore NJ Nisard
might consider himself recalled
NJ Delcasse then added:
THE government did what tho dignity OF
the country required. and with the necessary
promptitude; and have the whole world
on our side"