The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-06
FRENCH DEPUTIES
VOTE FOR WAR
ON THE CHURCH

Paris, Nov. 6.--Prcmier Clemenceau
upon the reassemblns OF parliament yes
tcrday read the ministerial declaration
of policy which declared that the law
separating church and state. as applied
would insure fun exercise Of liberty OF
conscience.
The announcement evoked several
rounds Of applause. The debate In the
chamber which followed the declaration
OF policy was confined exclusively to the
church question and there was a perfect
NOlley OF interpretations with the object
ol learning the intention OF the govern
ment ia The matter OF the application OF
the law OF separation
This effort on the part Of the church
supporters brought out nothing to indi-
cate there would be any relaxation on the
part OF the ministry, nor was anything
disclosed 10 Indicate "A modification OF
the plan which has been announced TO be
put into effect in December.
motion 10 approve the government =
program was carried by vote OF 205 TO
81. No further votes We're taken.
The chamber OF deputies was crowded
when the cabinet ministers entered, and
all eyes were centered on Premier Glenn
enceau and War Minister Picuuart. but
there was no noteworthy demonstration
As the change i'm the cabinet was due
solely 10 the ill-health of ex-Premier Sar-
fien, the declaration of policy announced
the last elections the government only
intended 10 pursue actively the work OF
reform, and that its foreign policy would
remain unchanged.
Founded upon peace with dignity"
said NJ. Clemenceau. 1--WE can say with
pride that during the 20 years Of the re-
public there has not been one minute
when we could be accused OF threatening
the peace Of Europe. At the same time.
since the peace OF the world Is based on
force OF arms, we cannot disarm for 70
do so would destroy the guarantee OF our
independence.
Until the arrival OF that happy but
uncertain day when the regime OF force
viii be changed our first duty is not TO
weaken our defensive powers, OF which
our internal understandings form an I'M
pnrtant element in cultivating good rela-
tons with other powers. We must care
fully maintain the alliances contracted
I'm the interests OF peace as well as the
friendships whose value has already been
proved, and We must not forget at diff
cult periods that moral authority and
upright policy openly practiced can be-
come determining factors I'm European
opinion, with which no government in tho
future can fail TO reckon"
In interior affairs, the premier contin-
ued. the policy OF the ministry would be
40 less clear, the object being the den
mite installation OF a democratic govern
ment.
The declaration OF policy then outlined
the concrete propositions, tho application
of the law separating church and state.
tho realization OF workmens pensions,
the extension OF the law governing labor
unions. the reforms OF the mining laws,
the introduction Of a Democratic spirit In
the army by the reduction OF the term
OF service 10 two years, the suppression
OF courts-martial relief OF the vine grow
crs and "A progressive income tax, and
concluded with an expression Of the gov
ernment's unshakable determination TO
transform into acts the just demands OF
the democracy.