The Washington herald., 1906-12-16

Paris. Dec. 16.-To-day is regarded as
the critical time in the dispute between
the church and state The rougher ele-
ment Win be free from work to attend
the services at various churches and
create disturbances if they so desire. an
intrusion they have been prevented from
carrying into effect during the week be
cause their duties occupied them. An ap-
peal has been issued To loyal Catholics
to attend the services in their respective
churches in order that they may protect
the officiating priests and the sacred ar
tcles in the churches. Precautions have
also been taken by the police to see that
disorders do not occur.
If to-day passes without any violence 1t
Is expected the struggle between the
warning church and government over the
separation law will be allowed to take its
natural course through peaceful legal
channels. That there is danger in the
present situation is not denied. however.
There are possibilities to-day for fight
ing. and even bloodshed. Once such a
course is resorted 10 it viii be difficult to
stem the tide of hate. which would plunge
the country into disastrous strife and
might even lead To civil war.
In order 70 tide over this great crisis.
the council of ministers is keeping its de-
cision as TO its future course a profound
secret, so that il may be able to put into
effect a policy Of Ieniency or stringency,
as the case may require in view of to-
days developments.
4
sive resistance everywhere. The govern
ment is executing the law Of separation
unswervingiy. but with the utmost mod
Grafton, both in Paris and the provinces.
On the side Of the church most of the
prelates and priests are bowling absolutely
10 the will OF the Pope. while many lay
men are taking advantage of the law and
the government liberation to secure
laws for the protection of public worship
by making declarations thereby. In many
instances, making the lot of their priests
easier.
Government Moves slowly.
on the governments side, while various
parliamentary groups have signifed their
intention to support the government in
its expressed decree to frame supplement
taTy legislation calculated 10 resolve the
crisis. the government itself IS still de-
termined to move as slowly as possible
on these lines. It also must be said that
groups which are divergent in many ways
show singular unanimity in expressing
opposition to one particular feature Of
the government intimated programme,
namely. Premier Clemenceau's proposi-
tion to denationalize French priests who
accept Instructions from d foreign po-
tentate. explicitly the Pope. It is under
stood that this has been the real hitch
in the government expressed intention
TO promulgate its programme ol.cially be
fore now. and that eventually this project
of NJ. Clemenceau. in which he is sup
ported by some radical elements. viii be
submitted 10 the chamber separately from
the rest of the programme.
Another police cOmmissary went to the
palace OF the archbishop Of Paris this
afternoon TO notify Cardinard Richard to
quit He was Immediately admitted to
the cardinals presence, and found him
surrounded by numerous clergy. The
commissary reminded the cardinal Of the
notice previously sent him by the prefect
OF the Seine, and invited him to leave OF
10 name an hour at which it would be
convenient for him 10 leave. The car
dinal replied that he would not leave ex-
eept by force, and in any case could not
leave before forty-eight hours.
Premier Discusses Refusal
After this mornings meeting of the
Cabinet Premier Clemenceau spoke OF
Cardinal Richards removal. He said that
when the cardinal was informed Of the
governments intention TO expel him be
first responded that he was i'll, whereupOn
the premier granted delay sine die. Since
then. said the premier, the archbishop has
changed his mind and has shown other in
tentions More than this the premier
would not say.
No incidents Of real moment had been
reported up 10 a late hour tonight in
connection with the governments carry
ing out of the law. The nearest approach
10 disturbance was at Montpelier and
Rennes. When Bishop Cabrieres officially
left the palace az Montpelier at o'clock
yesterday afternoon the seminarists and a
thousand Of the faithful accompanied MIN
to the cathedral. crying Liberty we VIII
have yet"
BRAND Reads Draft of Law.
At the session of the Chamber Of Dep
uties tonight NJ. BRAND, minister Of ed
ucation and public worship, read the
draft of the governments new religious
bill, which agrees with the forecasts al
ready cabled- The preamble states that
since the separation OF church and state
had become an accomplished fact the
government had taken constant care tC
assure the application of the law and tC
maintain public peace.
While the church remained within the
bounds of legality. rejecting only those
prescripts of law which were not obli-
gatOry. and respected the rules necessary
to public order which had been softeneC
in consideration of the bishops suscepti
biIfties for which there was reason tC
hope foTbearance could be shown towarc
her. but when without causes due to re-
ugious warrant instead of an injunc-
ton coming from outside. the church. re.
volts against a law which eXacts a for.
nality 50 simple as the making the year.
IN declaration for holding service, al
wea akness would be culpable and the gov
ernment's duty is to assure, calmly but
nrnlly, the supremacy of the civil power
and the execution of all legal prescrlpts
The preamble then throws all RESPONSE
bIlfty for further legislation on the
churchs refusal TO form associations
ana mentions the fact that 1900 clergy
receive grants which viii be Immediately
withheld If the holders do not comply
with the laws The only reference TO the
Pope is contained in the preamble, which
technically. is not part Of the bill.