Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-13
Though Congregations
Worship in Defiance
of Law.
NAMES ARE SECURED
Vatican Preparing to Make
Early Protest to the
Powers.


pressive response this morning to the
clergy's appeal TO parishioners to at
tend the first masses celebrated out
side the pale of the law. A correspond
ent of the Associated Press visited
dozen churches, including Notre Dame,
Des Victories. st. Germain D'Auxer.
rois, where the signal for the st. Bar.
tholomew massacre was given; st.
Roch, Madelaine and st. Augustine.
Everywhere it was the same story.
The front gates OF the churches were
closed but Catholics by the gray light
Of dawn were streaming through the
side portals.
Is No Disorder.
Interiors of the buildings were well
filled. In several places there was mu-
sic but nowhere was there the slight
est attempt TO interfere with service or
create a disturbance Three police
men were stationed outside the church
es to prevent any possible disorder
while police officers in plain clothes
were on duty inside to note the infrac-
the officiating priests and approximate
ing Jthe number of those present, with
the object of making reports to the
justices of police. Formal charges
were entered wherever mass was cele-
brated except at churches whose pa
rishioners made the called for applica-
ton yesterday evening to hold services
under the law of 1881.
Yield Only 10 Force.
Early dispatches from the depart
ments say wherever mass was cele-
brated charges were drawn up and
summons issued. At the final meeting
last night of the diocesan council here
it was decided neither ecclesiastical
residences nor seminaries should be
abandoned except before a show OF
force. II was officially stated the let
ters of Mgr Montagnini, the expelled
secretary of the papal nunciature here,
show a majority Of the French bishops
favored the observance OF the law of
1881 and bowed with reluctance to the
papal decree. The statement adds the
of diplomatic correspond
ence of the nunciature was scrupulous-
ly respected before the rupture be-
tween the vatican and France.
Makes IA Report.
Rome, Dec. 13.-Immediately after
his arrival here today Mgr. Montagnini.
expelled secretary of the papal nuncia-
lure at Paris. went to the vatican and
with the papal secretary of
state, Merry Del Val. and made a long
report on the situation i'm France, es-
1ecially i'm regard to the documents
seized at the Paris nunciature. several
of which deal entirely with
he France-Vatican conflict and will be
interesting to the French
government as showing, It is asserted
lere, differences OF opinion among
members of the French episcopacy
rhe report will be used for a protest
o foreign powers against the action OF
he French government.
Pope Asks for Details.
Afterwards Montagnini went to the
pope, who asked for minute details of
he secretary's expulsion and the doc
iments seized. Montagnini expressed
he distress which he felt as a result
If his expulsion, and presented to the
)Ontiff a rather dark picture OF the sit
lation, saying he believed the present
French government will not be induced
o change its attitude which it had
assumed toward the vatican.
Decided Irregular.
Paris. Dec. 13.-That the rank and
lie of liberal Catholics disapprove the
attitude of the authori-
les at Rome. is evidenced by the fact
hat the editor of Renaissance, on his
,wn initiative. filed with the prefect
# police. on application under the pub
ic meetings law of 1881 for permis-
ion to hold religious meetings in all
hurches. 1t was first announced the
government instructed the project to
ccept the application, but IL developed
ater he only formally acknowledged
he receipt of the application and de-
ided the general application covering
n churches Wac frraO,tIar