The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-13

disinterested persons to secure a con-
tinuation of services in churches In
spite of the papal veto, by inducing
Catholic laymen in each parish to make
the forbidden declaration. have not thus
far met with much success Up to
late hour tonight the Church of st.
John the Evangelist was the only church
where legal application had been made
The Indications are against anything
which might be dignified by the name
of religious war, and the prompt ex
pulsion from France yesterday of Mon
signor Montagnini, secretary of the
Papal Nunciature here since the recall
of the nuncio, coupled with the threats
to expel recalcitrant clergymen from
France, has had a SOLDERING influence.
The militant Catholics are in hope
less minority, and the masses are
either Indifferent, or, except in few
isolated instances. inclined to side with
the Government.
Seven curates at Ternes, Department
of Cantal, have sent a letter to the
local Commissary of Police declaring
that they will resist with their lives
any proclamation of the church by free
thinkers. using to this end every arm
permissible for legitimate defense.
EXCITEMENT INCREASES
The day of grace granted to the
churches of Paris in the plan of the
law providing for the separation of the
church and State postpones until to-
morrow the measures for its enforce
ment- The delay, however, has only
served to increase the excitement
caused by the expulsion from France
yesterday of Monsignor Montagnini.
secretary of the Papal Nunciature at
Paris.
Prosecutions have been begun
against the ultra bontaine abbes of the
churches of ST. Pierre du eros GALLON,
ST. Augustine and ST. Roch. where the
greatest resistance to the taking of
the inventories occurred. and 1t has
been decided to take over the buildings
belonging to the ecclesiastics immedf-
ately, stop the pensions of the clergy.
compel aSpirants to the priesthood to
fill their military obligations. and, If
necessary, treat the clergy as subjects
of a foreign power. This constitutes
sufficient demonstration of the spirit
with which the Government intends to
meet resistance. The reception of
Premier Clemenceau's speech in the
Chamber of Deputies last night also
shows that he has Parliament at his
back Nevertheless. M. Clemenceau
was careful to say that there was still
time for Catholics to conform sto the
law.
1t turns out that the papers seized
at the papal nunciature yesterday
placed in the Governments hands inn
portant evidence which may prove ex-
ceedingly embarrassing to the Vatican
If open war is to take place. They in
clude, besides all the diplomatic records
covering the correspondence exchanged
before the rupture with the Vatican.
recent instructions from Cardinal Mer-
3Dl TyoI IS
state, a mass of letters from prelates
over the world and letters in the hand
writing of deputies of the Right party.
M. Jaurez. the Socialist leader, asserts
in his paper that the seized documents
even prove the existence of a con-
spiracy.
Cardinal Richard has accepted the
temporary hospitality of M. Deniys CO.
chin, a Conservative member of the
Chamber of Deputies from one of the
Paris districts.
The Catholic seminaries at Bordeaux.
Mende and Saint Brieux were evacu-
ated today
CARDINAL RICHARDS SPEAKS
please let the Roman Catholics know
from me- said Cardinal Richards to-
day, chat what the French Government
is trying to. do is to bring about dis
union between Catholic believers and
tne1T priests ana between priests ana
their bishops. But they are not sue
ceeding. The union between these ele-
ments is complete. Persecution has
had no other effect than to bind us all
together"
Cardinal Richards will be SO years
old in two months, so that no lengthy
interview with him Is permissible, but
in subsequent conversation a report.
er had with the coadjutor to the Arch
bishop of Paris, Mgr. Annette, he was
informed that the intention of the &C.
clesiastical bodies throughout France
was to order a continuance of religious
observances in the French churches in
spite of the new legislation and with
out reference to the steps which the
police might take. The chief objection
to the separation, he said, was that 1T
provided no guarantee against possible
future interferences with the liberty
of Catholic worship. IN the event of
the church being closed mass would
be said in private houses, to which spe-
cial visitations would be issued.