The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-12
ROME AND PARIS ARE.
STIRRED BY CHURCH CRISIS
CONTINUED ON PAGE ~

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he says, but passive resistance to the
unjust law, after exhausting all protests
at every step
This is the disposition so far as the
higher ecclesiastcs are concerned, but
their followers evidently have no inten-
ton to submit and are preparing to as
sume the roll of martyrs, abandon the
churches and organize private worship.
Cardinal Richard and many of the
bishops already have begun the removal
of their private effects from the Episcopal
mansions, and the clergy are preparing
to leave their rectores 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
irdica ton that they intended to take adj
vantage of the sole remaining chance to
retain their churches, namely by making
tho declarations called for by the law.
Presents Calm Front.
The government continues to present
a calm front, although the ministers
realize that additional legislative power
will be necessary If serious trouble oc-
ours. Receivers have been appointed
everywhere to assume charge of the Sc
auestered property and three policemen
will be stationed tomorrow at the doors
of each of the churches to report viola
tons of the law, but as such violations
can only be tried In the police courts
and as the penalties are only is francs
fine and fifteen days Imprisonment, with
the right of appeal, sterner measures
may be necessary, and the government
will probably accept the bill introduced
in the chamber of deputies yesterday
by NJ. Meunier. republican, providing that
all buildings, presbyteries and so on, oc-
cupied by ecclesiastics, shall definitely
oscheat to the state, the departments and
the communes on 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
purposes or public charities; to suppress
the pensions of the clergy, who do not
conform with the laws of 1905 and 1881,
md to summon all the priests of military
age to the colors. to serve their time in
the army with other Frenchmen liable
to military duty.
People Are Even More Hostile.
The tone of the republican press of all
shades indicates that IL the Pope imagines
that an uncompromising attitude will COM
pei the French government to open ne
i,otiations with the vatican, he has woe
fully mistaken the temper of the people,
which favors more hostile rather than
a more concliatory attitude. The Repub-
lique Franchise says
THE time has passed when a pope
could successfully threaten to release
French subjects from their allegiance.
Defiance of the law will only expose the
priests to being regarded as the subjects
of foreign power. by which they would
forfeit their rights Frenchmen.'
In the hope of effecting a compromise,
several deputies. headed by Georges Lev
gus, radical republican ex-mnister of the
colonies have telegrap hed to the mayors
of the conlmlnes, asking them to induce
two Catholic laymen from each parish