The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-21
CLENEECEAU READY TO FIGHT.
PREPARED TO MEET ATTACK on
his RELIGIOUS PROGRAMME.
FLARES Up IN Deputies when New Bin Is
Reported Insists That It We Pushed
Church Excavations AFFORD Amuse-
ment Now Pope Seeking 10 save spain.
Special Gable Dispatches to THE sun.

enabllnR the nOlulnR Oh services IN COurcheS,
and fewer difficulties encountered in exc
cutting the separation law 50 far as regards
the State taking possession OF churches
and seminaries, that is the history OF the
active operations OF to-day. Politically
Developments were just as mild until a
lively incident broke out in the Chamber
Of Deputies when the Governments new
religious bill came out OF COMMITTEES.
Newspaper discussion is mostly very
subdued indeed, although Frenchmen were
informed to-day from Spain that their
country is being subjected to bitter trials
by the Pope, not to regain France, which
is hopelessly lost to the Church, but to save
Spain to the Holy Mother before it is too
late.
The developments which Immediately
followed the presentation OF the Govern
ment's proposed law in the Chamber this
evening showed that the legislative situa-
ton is as tense as ever and that Prime
Minister Clemenceau is so keyed up as to
be in no mood to be tri6cd with. In fact,
he not only said plainly that the Govern
ment was facing a more serious problem
than any Cabinet had been forced TO deal
with since the Prussian war hut he in
mated that he was ready to quit his post
If anybody wanted il.
This was rather a surprise. Neither
critics. friends nor enemies have limited
that they expected M. Clemenceau would
show a Willingness to retire. On the con-
trary, it has been said that he would hold
power to the limit and would not even
resign it in principle, as Waldeck- Rousseau
did. NJ. Clemenceau, however, may have
spoken in a Pickwickian sense, for he also
declared that the Government knew it's
W purposes, as did a majority of the
House, and Intended to carry them out
or to leave the responsibility with the
Chamber.
The Prime Minister was baited into his
spmewhst heated speech by information
that the bill was ready, and by questions
thrust at him, which interrupted a member
discussing another subject, before the
sctual reading of the Government bill
commenced. When, after it was read,
requests were made TO defer consideration
Of the measure for some days ". Clemen-
ceau dealt ~outspokenly with both the Right
and Left, saying that he wanted all enemies.
whether they we're on the opposition or
majority side, to come out into the open.
He reiterated that war was on, and that the
Government was ready to battle with the
clericals. He demanded that the bill be
considered Friday. He said he was willing
20 study it further il necessity was shown,
but that it would be discussed tomorrow.
NThe religious COMMITTEES of the Chamber
finished it's consideration of the new religious
bill to-day, and appointed NJ. Meunier to
act a. its reporter, which places him in
charge of the bill until its fate il decided
by the Chamber. The committee decided to
change the order Of the articles as drawn up
by the Government. placing first the clauses
referring to the devolution Of church rop-
erty and second the clause relating to the
exercise of religion. The motive for this
alteration is the fact that the latter part
is likely to raise the keenest opposition,
so that il much time is needed to reach
an agreement thereon it will always be
possible to make. the first part a separate
bill. The committee was always DESTROYS
Of splitting the bill in this way, but the
Government firmly opposed it.
The news of the committees decision
reached the Chamber while a debate on
the lateness of the trains on the Govern
ment systems was under way. Several
Deputies Informed NJ. ~Clemenceau, h
vas seated among the other Ministers.
They broke out in so lively a manner as to
interrupt the speaker.
" SNPhNSVN1 hAasSN
mistakenly in regard to certain radical
mem5crs, accusing them of attacking
hni from behind and more keenly than
the clerical members. The Incl sent aroused
such attention that unusual interest was
shown later when NJ. Meunier read the
committees report on the bill.
T. tLmenceGu Immediately demanded
"a tho discussion be fixed I or Tomorrow.
NJ. Pell tan. a Radical Socialist, demanded
time - read the report. Lieut.-Col. Du
HalIouct, q member of the Right. ~concurred
in The request. This drew a sharp rejoinder
from the Prime Min ister, who, after a refer
cree To friends and pretended friends, said
that TIE Government was ready for a battle
sramst the members Of the Right. He
s6dCG:
We do not cling 10 power. We are ready
10 yield to any one who will take il, but
We are now graphing with difficulties that
no Government has experienced since 1870.
We are facing the foe under insufficient law
with moderation and energy. IL you bag
gle about our means Of fighting take the
RESP onsibility for il before the country. If
tomorrow the discussion shows there are
points to study we shall not refuse the time,
but we must discuss the bill tomorrow"
VI. Pelletan withdrew his request. NJ.
Barres, Nationalist Republican, proposed
that the discussion begin Saturday. This
was voted down and the Chamber agreed 10
discuss the bill tomorrow.
The eiectment proceedings, through that
constant repetition under which the heart
hardens, are ceasing in some instances to
be regarded by the authorities as solemn
matters of duty, and rave taken rather the
character Of that fippant facility of routine
In which the vulgar easily find humor.
When officers to-day went TO Gust the
teachers and twenty-five students at the
seminary Of st. Sulpioe Father Guerriguet
said that he would only quit the premises
under force. "Ah, yes" said the com
mander, cheerfulIy smiling at his own for
getfulness of the little formality, Officer,
touch one OF your hands on the fathers
shoulder that il be well established that
he yields only to force"
At Verdun yesterday the sub-prefect
and troops found unusual conditions at a
small. seminary. They were Obliged to
force three doors to enter the building.
Then they burst locks on door after door,
L.. - So -I-l - r. .zA-o ,,-agl