The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
YATIfbD ''
 TJ :, Militant Catholics of France Hail Prospect of Warfare TIE CABINET REMAINS FIRM The Government Says Religious Ser"- ices May Not Be Held Exc
 Under Terms of
 Law
THE CABINET REMAINS FIRM

Paris, December 10-The press unanimously recognizes the extrem fly of the religious issue preclplt the Pope's ntransigeant atttud many papers predict vertble warfare. The governments calc have clearly been upset and new legisla- tive authority may be necessary to en- able it to cope with the situation. It having been decided that after tomor- TOW religious service may not be held without a preliminary declaration under the law of 1881. the Popes order entails the immediate initiation Of prosecutions in S6.0O0 eommunes and logically the in- vasion of churches by the police for the purpose of pronouncing their dissolution and expelling the parish priests.
 The militant Catholics seemingly hail with enthusiasm the prospect of warfare and the attendant excitement of religious passions.
 NJ. Jaures, the socialist leader. professes to believe that the vatican has deliberate ly decided 10 test the strength of the party of the reaction in an attempt to overthrow the republic.
 The socialist organs generally, however. regard the Pope's instructions as being the result of the governments weakness in offering any concession beyond the for nation of the cultural associations con templated under the law of 1905 and, de- clared that the government now has no alternative except to insist on declara tions being made or show the ecclesiastics the door.
 The conservative papers advise the gov
 mt to remain true to it's liberal prin-
 contending that the more the
 is intolerant and panic-stricken,
 ~e authority it will need, provided
 ernment does not lose its heatls'
 'ernment has made preparations
 with the situation, but is keeping
 ecret. The cabinet maintains ..sulute front Instructions to the prosecutors were telegraphed broadcast to- day.
 Premier clemenceau is quoted as say ing:
 If the church elects to have war it will have it. but the world will bear witness that the vatican is like foreign power, trying to dispute the authority or the French government
 NJ. Briand minister of public worship. says he thinks the Pope yielded to the importunites of the ultra-Montaines, who are oVer-possessed with 'the mad idea that out of disorder and civil war they will emerge triumphant The government now does not face a revolt of the con sciences of French Catholics, but a pure ly political enterprise
 Cardinal Richard archbishop of Paris. announced today that he would leave his ecclesiastical residence December l2 and that the clergy there were preparing to leave their presbyteries, etc, upon de- mand adding that if they are driven from the church today will organize private religious services. Cardinal Richard says it Is impossible for the Pope to agree to place religious services on the plane of public meetings.
 The situation is likely to be further com plicated tomorrow by the debate in Par lament when explanations of the gov- ernment's intention will be demanded. M. Meuner. radical republican, introduced bill in the Chamber of Deputies today providing that all buildings, presbyteries, etc. occupied by ecelesastics shall finally escheat in the state Apartments com munes upon the enactment of the law. The Journal says that if the government has recourse to violent measures tt will fall into a trap and be forced to close the churches.