The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-12-11
ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT
Marks Epoch in History of
French Republic
(By Associated PressJ


iation, providing for the separation
OF Church and State in France. form
ally went into effect today. The eli
max of the long and bitter warfare
between the Republic and the Cath.
olic Church has thus been reached.
Ctntrary TO what might be expected.
Indications are not lacking that the
public disorders that have been pro-
vokcd by the strife between state
and Church win now subside in a
measareble degree. If such proves
not TO be the case tine onus viii be
placed upon the Church. as the Gov.
ernment is unmistal0ably disposed TO
leniency in the enforcement of the
law
The attitude of the Government is
evidenced by the instruction issued
by NJ BRAND minister CT education
and public worship, TO the piefects
as TO their conduct in enforcing the
law. Assurance Is given that the
Government viii not go to extreme
lengths by closing the churches to
public worship. II congregations de-
fault in the formation of associations
religious services win forne under
the law of 1881 as pIblic meetings.
But as services differ in many points
from meetings the prefects have been
Instructed to adapt the law, where
it is necessary in order TO taciIate
In every way the carrying on of SER
vices, aud notably the clause OF the
law by which previous notice of an
intended meeting is cxacted. II has
been decided that one notice stating
the hours Of service shall suffice for
any period
The Congregations must establish
bureau, or body of mon, who win
be responsible for the purpose and
good order OF meetings Representa-.
riVcs of the 03yegnment must be
present at an meetings, but can only
dissolve them ii the bureau fails In
its duties and disturbances onsue.
Priests may receive and dispose OF
moneys taken in actual collie ticns
9t such meetings but all other con-
tribWions and incomes will belong
to the State Cures will be merely
occupants without legal title in the
premises The churches and other
properties VIII be handed over TO
associations M they are formed
within q year. II taken then by the
State they will stiu retain tnei, pre-
vlous character until a contrary de-
lsiCn is announced
The going into effect of the Law
Of Associations marks an epoch in
the history OF the French Republic.
II means I'm effect that no religion
Us nov recognized by the State Up
10 January ! of this year the Roman
Catholic Church, the Reformed
Church, the Augsburg Confession. and
the Jewish Religious Community
were so recognized The relations
between the state and the Roman
Catholic Church were determined
by Che Concordat of 1901 and the
Organic Articles of 1902 The rela-
lions between the State and the Pro
tcstants and Jews We're determined
by different laws and dccreos of the
same period. The ministers of these
creeds were paid Dy the state sal
aries and were IN many respects de-
pendent on the Government These
relations are now completely severed.
According to- the law promulgated
irst one year ago The Churches are
NtnAlNltu from tuN ottitf lue Nu-
herents of an creeds may form am as
soclaton for public worship and the
state. the Departments and the Com
muuos are relieved from payment OF
salaries
AS transitory measures. ecclesias-
tics over G0 years OF age and over
30 years of service remuuersted by
the State are entitled to a pension
equal TO thrce-fomths of their salary
Proportioelte allowances are made
Lor an other dcolesiasics, if the
associations comply with the proyis-
ions of the law they are 90 be allow
cd the use of the churches dwellings,
seminaues and other property No
religious establishment Is 90 be al.
lowed TO exist withOut a special law
iu each particular case,
The grants paid by the State I'm the
last year of the old regime amounted
10 3T52S0Gl francs. and those paid
hy Departments and C0mmunes to-
7,555.042 francs. The pensions and
allowances TO be paid according TO
the new law are estimated thus.
First year, 29,563S71 francs, second