Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-11
of martyrs. abandon the churches and

u
OPS already have begun the removal OF
their priyate effects from the episcopal
mansions, and the clergy are preparing to
leave their rectories and move into hired
lodgings. 1t is announced that the parish
priests have received very many offers of
places In which to hold religious services.
but there is not the slightest indication
that they intended to take advantage OF
the sole remaining chance to retain their
churches, namely. by making the declara-
tions called for by the law.
Calm Front Of Government.
The government continues to present a
calm front, although the ministers realize
that additional legislative power will be
necessary If serious trouble occurs. Re
ceivers have been appointed everywhere to
assume charge of the sequestered proprty,
and three policemen will be stationed to-
morrow at the doors Of each Of the churches
to report violations of the law. but as such
violations can only be tried in the police
courts. and as the penalties are only If
teen francs fine and fifteen days imprison-
ment, with the right of appeal, sterner
measures may be necessary, and the gov
eminent will probably accept the bill In
troduced in the chamber of deputies yes
terday by M. Meunier, republican, provid-
ing that all buildings. presbyteries and SO
on occupied by ecoiesiastics shall definitely
escheat to the state, the departments and
the communes upon the enactment of the
law providing for the separation of church
and state and at once make arrangements
that the sequestered property shall not be
used. like the hospitals. for special pur-
poses or public charities: to suppress the
-
with the laws of 1905 and 1881. and to sum-
mon all the priests of military age to the
colors. to serve their time in the army
with other Frenchmen liable to military
duty.
Tone of the Republican Press.
The tone of the republican press Of all
shades indicates that if the Pope imagines
that an unoompromising attitude will COM
pei the French government to open negotia-
tons with tie Vatican, he las woefully mis-
taken the temper of the people. which
favors more hostile rather than a more
conciliatory attitude. The RepubEque Fran
caise says:
THE time has passed when Pope could
successfully threaten to release French
subjects from their allegiance. Defiance of
the Jaw will only expose the priests to being
regarded as the subjects of foreign power
by which they would forfeit their rights
The Cabinet Meeting.
After a meeting of the cabinet ministers
today it was announced that on December
IA Premier Clemenceau will ask parlia-
ment to supprt-s the pensions of the clergy,
to liquidate the public property of Cath
olics and to distribute the presbyteries,
seminarieS, etc.
Must Evacuate Tomorrow.
PARIS, December 11.-Formal notice was
served during the day on Cardinal Richard,
archbishop Of Paris, and the bishops and
parish priests of this department that they
must evacuate their res.dences tomorrow.
Similar notices were served on the clergy
in the other departments, notifying them to
leave their residences on Thursday or Fri
day.
Immense quantities of documents. found
at the nunciature. were seized and taken to
police headquarters.
A courier from the papal secretary Of
state, Cardinal Merry del Val. bearing dis
patches from Rome, was turned back at
the frontier today.
In the hope of affecting a compromise
several deputies, headed by George Ley
CUES, radical republican, ex-minister of the
colonies, have telegraphed to the mayors
of tie communes asking them to induce two
Catholic laymen from each parish to make
the declarations under the law Of 1881,
which the pope has forbidden the parish
priests to make.
May Expel Ecclesiastics.
War Minister Picquart has ordered the
recruiting officers to require ecclesiastical
students to present their certificates tomor-
row. Those who fail to do so by December
20 will be ordered to join the colors January
7. The order affects $500 students.
Among other measures the cabinet pro-
poses to introduce in parliament December
IA bill authorizing the government to ex-
pei ecclesiastics whose presence Is consid-
cred dangerous to the public peace.