The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-10
|GRAVEsT OF STEPS
| BY THIRD REPUBLIC
Separation Of Church and State
Finally Accomplished by
Senate's Vote.
New York Herald Special Service.


Paris, Dec. 9.-The most important
event of the present session Of the legis-
lature, in fact, the most important
event in the history Of the third repub-
lie, came to pass this week, when the
senate, with majority of rs, passed
the measure already adopted by the
chamber of deputies separating the
church and state.
Intelligent Catholics admit that the
church can develop under the law. This
is the opinion Of the sacred college and
the pope and, therefore, it is the part
of the Catholics to make peace and no
longer to confound religion and poll
tics. It is to be hoped that the pope,
who will hereafter have the sole power
of creating bishops, will confne his
choice to those who are intelligent and
liberal. Tt is to be hoped, moreover,
that the church associations, under their
guidance, will confne their efforts to
religion and ideas of fraternity, so that
great good may come from the present
crisis. In any case, France and the
church each hold their destiny in their
own hands.
Secret or Public Ballot.
Republican groups seem to be in ac-
cord on the public ballot instead Of the
secret ballot, when they elect presi-
dents Of the two chambers and par
ticularly when the president Of the
republic is chosen. This measure, which
is SO hotely debated here, is intended
to bar the road to the presidency of M.
Doumer. He has his strong supporters,
but his hopes Of election are founded on
the queer coalition Of the right with a
certain. section Of the extreme left.
Such coalition would be possible should
the balloting be secret, but it becomes
impossible if the balloting is public, for
if the names Of the voters were known
not single republican would vote with
the right, for that would be ruling
himself out Of his party.
Workingmen's Pensions.
4 The chamber has just passed the first
article of most important bill-the
workingmen pensions. This article
provides for a pension Of $72 for a
workingman in the city after his six
tieth year and $4s to 'workingman in
the country after 60.
France has been interested this week
in two documents which, while not
regarding her alone, may be consid-
cred here with proft-the speech of
Prince Buelow in the reichstag and Mr..
Roosevelt s message to congress. The
former brought but moderate satisfac-
ton here. If we showed ill-feeling
toward Germany we have expiated the
fault by the immolation Of M. Delcasse
It is now Germany 8 turn to show her.
self grabbed to France. ~
Roosevelt's Message.
AS for Mr.. Roosevelt's message, il
was received here with respect an6
enthusiasm. It has the merit of put
ting in true light the question we
twist about at pleasure according to on,
private views, that Of militarism an6
pacificaion. The difficulty finds a solu
ton in Mr.. Roosevelt's good sense
"We should all seek to render peace
perpetual and war impossible, but W.
should not act as tho this were already
accomplished.
There will probably be more war;
and the country which hopes to b,
respected must be strong and never pre-
fer ignominous peace to war. Inspired
by duty, Mr.. Roosevelt has just read /;
great lesson to the entire world ant
! here in France we are grateful for it