The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-12
For Permission to Hold Services
in the Paris Churches.
MEETINGS ARE LEGAL
If the Catholic Clergy Choose to
Hold Them.
EemInaries at Bordeaux and
Other Places Are Vacated.

Paris. Dec. 12.-The day of grace
granted to the churches of Paris in the
execution of the law providing for the
separation of church and state post
pones until tomorrow the measures for
its enforcement. The delay, however,
has only served to increase the excite
alent caused by the expulsion from
France yesterday of Mgr Montagnini
secretary of the papaI nunciature at
Paris.
Prosecutions have been begun
against the ultramontaine abbes of
the churches of st. Pierre du Gros
Cafllou. St Augustine and St. Roch.
where the greatest resistance to the
taking of the inventories occurred, and
4 has been decided to Immediately take
over the buildings belonging to the
ecclesiastics. stop the pensions of the
clergy. compel aspirants to the priest
hood to fill their military obligations
and If necessary treat the clergy as
subjects of a foreign power. This con-
stitutes sufficient demonstration of
the spirit with which the government
intends to meet resistance. The recep-
ton Of Premier Clemenceau's speech
III the chamber of deputies last night
also shows that he has parliament at
his back Nevertheless, NJ. Clemen-
ceau was careful to say that there was
still time for Catholics to conform to
the law. That the rank and file Of lib
eral Catholics disapprove of the in
transigeant attitudes of the authori-
ties at Rome is evidenced by the fact
that Felix Robin has of his own initia-
tive filed with Prefect of Police Lepine
an application under the public meet
ings of 1881 for permission to hold
religious meetings in all the churches.
This affords the single ray of hope IN
the situation. The Figaro today says
that Cardinal Richard. archbishop of
Paris, at first declined to approve of
NJ. Robins action, but that later he
changed his mind. This applicat ton, If
accepted, no matter whether 1t Is ap-
proved or disapproved By the clergy.
will legaltze the holding Of religious
services and render unnecessary any
proceedings against Paris priests or
Wears tomorrow.
It turns out that the papers seized
at the papal nunciatue yesteday
placed in the governments hands i'm
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 Merry
Del Val, the papal secretary of state.
a mass of letters from prelates all over
the world, and letters in the handwrit-
ing of deputies of the right party. NJ.
Japres, the socialist leader, asserts In
his paper that the seized documents
even prove the existence of conspiracy.
Cardinal Richard has accepted the
Cochin, a conservative member of the
chamber of deputies from one of the
Paris districts.
The Catholic seminaries at Bordeaux,
Mende and Saint Brieux. were evacua-
An odious Act.
Rome, Dec. 12-The vatican authori-
ties chaacteize the actions OF the
Montagnini. the expelled secretary OF
the papal nunciature at Paris. accom-
panied to the frontier by police as "an
Odious ACT showing a desire to inffct
humiliation on those who because Of
thei weakness can not etaliate."
It is much regretted in vatican cir
cles that contrary to the propositions
of some of the cardinals Mons:rno-
Della Chesia the assistant papal sccre-
tary of state, was not sent to Paris,
after the rupture of the diplomatic re-
fatiOns between the vatican and France,
as in view of his FrancOphI attitude
only person capable of reaching an
understanding with the French gov
ernment. It IS believed even now that
Notwithstanding the gravity Of the
fiC ult to conciliate the vatican II negO-
tiations on the subject were opened
In the meanwhile all the vatican
forces have been modified to take
Fart in the campaign. Even Father
Nornz, the general of the Jesuits. has
Joined the belligerents. The latest In
structions sent to the French clergy
are in substance that they are to look
upon the situation from its worst pos
sible aspect and organize private reli-
gious services. Thousands of tele-
grams. it is announced here. have been
sent from Free MasOns. anticlericals,
Republican and Liberal clubs and poll
ticians to the French premier. NJ
C1emenceau, and Minister of Public
Worship Byrand, conRratulating them
on their energetic attitude against the
i IL Ill.,
hand the vatican authorities have re-
ceived tn housands of kilograms Of sym
pathy and encouragement from bish-
OPS Catholic clubs and prominent
Catholics. Italians and foreigners. con-
demning the action Of the French gov
ernment