Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-02
Making Of inventories Of
Their Church Property.
Several Paris Churches Clear.
ed BY the Soldiers.


GA 49, - Cos -41S Si WuCAS III dhNS
the actual putting into operation Of the
clause Of the state separation bill
which provides for the making Of in
ventories Of the property of the
churches has aroused storm of pro-
test. In several provincial parishes
Catholics have gathered in the
churches and made such strong resist
ance that the government commission
ers were unable to enter the edifices.
In Paris today violent scenes took
place in several churches, notably those
of st. Roch and st. Clothilde. An in
ventOry of the property Of the church
Of st. Roch has not yet been made
owing to the opposition of the congre-
cation, but the defenders Of the
church of st. Clothilde succumbed be-
fore the energetic assault of an armed
force, which acted on the avOWed in
tention of government to use every
means at its disposal to compel obe-
dience to the enactment.
In the Chamber Of Deputies this af-
ternoon, Premier Rouvier's reply to an
Interpolation on the subject of So
cialist deputy, NJ. Allard. was given
amid great uprOar. The government
al
by 3S4 against 1866 aftetr the premier
had assured the Chamber that the gov
eminent was DESTROYS of using tact and
moderation in carrying out the law, but
that It was fully determined to per-
fern its duty no matter what the cost.
While the ministry was being inter-
pellated scenes of extreme violence
were transpiring at the church of st.
Ciothilde. The church had been filled
since early morning. the congregation
Including many prominent members
of the nobility, senators and deputies.
Before the government commissioner APP
peared, q police official who attempted
to induce the clergy to permit an in
ventory to be taken received severe
maitreatment, while outside the police
men and mounted municipal guards
were compelled to adopt the sternest
ensures in order to dispense the turbu-
lent crowd.
Repeated charges occurred leading to
80 arrests, including two priests. Many
persons including some policemen were
Injured during the fighting. Eventually
two fire engines were ordered to take
up a position near the church so as to
be able II necessary to drench the
crowd which obstinately refused to
move. the women showing the greatest
determination, opening umbrellas for
their protection and in the meanwhile
chanting Psalms.
NJ. Lepine, the project of police. ordered
the municipal guards and police to enter
the church. Under a shower of broken
chairs the officers broke down the rail.
ings in front of the entrance while the
crowd rained heavy blows upon them.
Then the firemen burst In the doors and
the police and municipal guards entered
the building. One OF the principal officers
was severely wounded. Inside the church
the congregation had erected barricades
which had to he taken by assault while
men and women tainted. After the
church had been cleared the commission
ers proceeded to take the Inventory, the
Catholics outside singing canticles.
The energetic measures taken by tho
clearing the church. except at the altar,
where n few of the congregation and
some young priests stood deiiantly BRAN
dishIng sticks. These were allowed to
remain.
The election of the remainder of tl.,
crowd resulted in the injuring Of many
persons on both sides. including 80 po-
lcemen and guards and a still higher
number Of tho militant Catholics. Ono
hundred and fifty members Of the con-
gregation were arrested.
During the struggle some of the guards
had their rifles snatched from ther, and
they fought with their hands against the
people, some of whom were armed with
swordsticks. One of the barricades erect
ed in the church was 20 feet high. After
the people had been driven out Project
Lepine in order to prevent further inter-
ruption of the inventory, placed 4 triple
rank of guards armed with rifles around
the choir. The commissioner was thus
enabled to proceed with his work, which
he had about completed tonight.
All the windows in the church were
broken and every chair smashed. Among
the wreckagc scattered over the fioor to-
night are numerous umbrellas and hats,
The project OF the department of tho
Seine has issued an order TO the clergy
instructinR them to give up the keys OF
their churches. and adding that in case
Of refusal the commiss oaers are instruct
ed to call on the armed forces for assist
ance.