The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24

London Dec. 23-A dispatch from Rome
states that the Pope is daily becoming
more distressed by the situation in
France. Speaking to Cardinal Merry del
Val Sunday he said if he thought his
presence in France would do good he
wDuld not hesitate a moment, but would
start for Paris Immediately
Ottawa, Dec. 23-The interesting state
ment has just been made that Canada
would see the first attempt TO strike at
the French government on account Of its
policy toward the religious communities
in France
Il was stated that the Knights of Co
lumbus an extremely powerful Roman
catholic organization. with a strong MEM
bership both in Canada and the United
States, will henceforth boycott all goods
that are made in France. Owing to the
wealth Of the society. and its large
numerical strength. the boycott will in
all probability, assume international i'm
pOrtance.
Defects In Religious Bill.
Paris. Dec. 23-The haste with which
he new religious bill was drawn up and
'ushed through the Chamber of Depu-
les is producing its natural results. II
now plain that many difficult points
were left undiscussed. and many con-
tingencies unprovided for That is moth
.ng surprising, in 50 intricate ques-
ton, but it is more than surprising to
find that the bill, as printed in the Of
fetal Journal. misrepresents on essential
points the bill as voted by the chamber.
There are two forms of associations
cultuelles. those formed under the law
of 1901 and those formed under the law
of 1895.
The bin as originally drafted gave the
former claim on the free use of
churches. and an amendment was carried
giving the latter the same privilege The
official version gives the amendment as Il
It were the original clause, and 0mits any
reference to associations under the law
Of 1901. This is declared TO be an over
sight which may be rectifed by the sec
retary-generaI of the chamber when he
sends the text TO the Senate, but it
emphasizes the difficulties Of attempting
TO understand the real significance of the
bill, and gives strength to the hopes ex-
pressed by the Moderate press that the
Senate viii take time over the bin and
attempt TO fill ia the gaps which the
different factions say exist
Festival Spirit In France.
It is noticeable that the abolition of the
midnight Christmas mass has not produced
any protest Some of the bishops. in an
nulling this mass, expressed. fear that the
UnTuly elements would take the oppor-
tunity TO profane il by making trouble
Paris is calm, and up to a late hour
this evening no information OF trouble
has come from the provinces. Parisians, in
tact, appear to be more interested in
buying Christmas gifts than in worrying
over the salvation of their immortal souls
The law of hcbdom8dary. which in a
few months has transformed the outward
aspect of Paris. although still far from
making it city of such Sunday dead
ness as London or Brooklyn was vio-
lated with impUnity to-day. People made
purchases. not. as formerly. purely for
New Years. but avowedly as Christmas
presents. The newspapers speak in italics
of Merry CHRISTMAS and Happy New
Year, explaining them as happy English
expressions, and people seem 10 be more
in the seasonal spirit than s0rrowfm over
the unhappy STATE liLp WHICH ms lIlLeu
the ancient church OF France.
Sentiment in Rome.
The Temps this evening SAYS il is au-
thorized TO deny the statement, widely
published as emanating from Rome. 10
the effect that the French government
had addressed note to the powers ex-
planning the reasons for its search of
Mgr. AIontagninis effects and his expul-
sion from the country. The paper SAYS
the government has no intention Of send
ing any such note.
a special envoy who was sent to Rome
by the Temps telegraphs that the feel
ing in Rome is that the private exercise
Of religion must be respected in France.
as Rome regards the churches as closed.
He adds that the feeling there is that
Fridays vote in the Chamber of Deputies
settles nothing, and that in one ten, or
fifty years the minimum Of guarantees
demanded by the Pope must be granted.
It must be said that developments in
France do not Indicate that the people at
large concern themselves deeply with this
thoughtful care for the more or less
distant future
Kingston, n. Y. Dee 23.-At a largely
attended meeting of Catholic societies
from East Kingston and Glasco. held this
afternoon AT The village hail at the
former place. resolutions Of protest we're
adopted against the attitude of the
French government toward the Catholic