Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
In FRANCES CAPITAL
NCurrent Topics Of the Pa
risians.
CHURCH AND THESTATE
DEBATE IN CHAMBER ATTRACTS
LITTLE ATTENTION.
Reports of Japan's Attitude in Korea
Renewal of Controversy Over
Morocco Imminent.
CHURCH AND THESTATE

PARIS May 2).-'Fhe debate in the cham
Der of deputies on Tie bill providing Tor
the separation of church and safe is pro-
ceeding daily. with less attention than was
bestowed the less important deba+
over the budget
This indifference of parliament and the
public is exciting much comment.
M. Pelican who WAS minister of marine
in the late Combcs cabinet, has written to
a weekly review saying that the separa-
ton of church and state involves the most
momentous change France has seen since
the abolition of the monarchy. He pointed
out that the orators discuss only the de-
tails of the measure without voice yet
being raised to consider the revolution in
social conditions involved. The cause Of
the absence of passionate speeches is due
to the general conviction that the passage
of the bill is foregone conclusion. The
four main articles of the bill already have
been passed. leaving only two brief oncs
remaining.
The articles already adopted establish
the principle, complete the separation and
provide for civil corporations to carry on
the religious establishments.
The main struggle has been over having
the enormous wealth of the churches in art
objects. paintings and tapestries pass to the
succeeding civil corporations instead OF go
ing to the state. The socialists urged the
states right to take over these objects, but
government influence secured changes in
article so that church goods will be re-
tanned by their civil successors, thus Obvi-
ating their transference to the state. The
remaining articles of the bill deal mainly,
with police restrictions against religious ac-
tiwity in political affairs The debate al
ready has lasted two months, and 10 date
has yet been fixed for the final vote But
the past progress indicates that decisive re-
suits may be expected in the middle or at
the end of June.
Japan's Attitude in Korea.
Reports received here through authorita-
tive channels represent Japan. as carrying
things with a high hand in Korea. Whether
the reports are influenced by sentiment 1t
is impossible to say, but they recite num-
Der of specific facts supporting the view
that M. Hayashi. the japanese minister to
Korea, no longer observes the position of
the other ministers at Seoul. He is said to
consider himself q sort of resident general
or viceroy, thus taking precedence over his
diplomatic colleagues who are Obliged to
await his convenience in dealing with the
court and government. The general COM
manding the japanese troops is represented
as seconding this assumption of precedence
on the part of the japanese minister.
The official reports confirm the reports
flom Picking that the Japanese recently ex-
eTted St1cng pressure upon the Emperor OF
Korea to induce him to leave the country
and go TO Japan, with the evident purpose
OF removing him as an obstacle to the de-
velopment of japanese control. The emper-
or is said TO have requested the departure
of the Japa nese officials who made these
representations and to have taken discreet
means to permit the European governments
to learn of the prospects of his removal
Finally, when this information reached the
ST.. Petersburg foreign Office 1t issued a
protest against Japan's- assumption of con-
troll of the affairs of Korea.
The Morocco Controversy.
f,1rt
ments in the Franco-German conf1c5 In Mo-
rocco the officials here are prepared for
renewal of the strain at any moment.
This leads to marked sensitiveness on va
rious subjects in which Germany is inter-
ested. Emperor Williams action in receiv-
ing from Cardinal Kopp al Metz the grand
cross of the Order of the Hoy Sapulch is
discussed another move of German dip
lomacy toward establishing German ascend
ancy at the Vatican at the moment France
Is breaking off relations with the Holy See.
This action is also interpreted as German
move to displace France in the protec; crate
over Catholic residents and In the near and
far east.
On the other hand. F-anco-German iel:-
lions have been given a favorable tuin by
the appointment of a French m ss!on TO
attend the wedding at Berlin of Crown
Prince Frederick William and the Duchess
Cecilia of Meck!enburg- Schwerin and the
suggestion in certain German quar-, ers of
the possible return of Alsace- Lorraine to
France. The mission will be headed by Gen.
Lacroix and will arrive in Berlin June 2.
The suggestion that Germany might event
ually return Alsace-LorT aine is welcomed
here but the French officials consider the
suggestion to have been purely platonic and
Impossible of practical realization, at least
during the present generation.
Amba ssador Mccormick IS still sojourninS
at Dieppe where the sea air is restoring his
health after attack of grippe and the
fatigue incident to his removal from st.
Petersburg to Paris.