The sun., 1906-12-22
FRENCH WORSHIP BILL PASSED
No ACRIMONY IN SEVEN HOUR
DEBATE IN THE CHAMBER.
ClemenCeau and BRAND Insist That Thoy
Are Giving Church Liberty-Charge
servitude 20 Foreign POwor-CathOlio
Party solidly Against Measure

PARIS, Dec. M.-The debate in the Cham
Der Of Deputies to-day on the Governments
proposals for the readjustment OF the laws
regulating the relations Of Church and
State, or, more accurately, prescribing
the conditions for the exercise Of public
worship in France, naturally overshadowed
the story OF the progress OF the evacuation
Of religious institutions and priests and
prelates' residences. The latter processes
continued without disorder.
Public attention was fixed quietly on
Parliament The discussion there was
unusually temperate for a time when deep
passions are supposed to be aroused and
when the Prime Minister himself had de-
clared that war was on. There was a con-
siderable pu bic attendance in the Chamber.
inclu ding many women. The debate was
marked neither by flights OF oratory nor
acrimony but the speeches were made
with some earnestness of expression. There
were a few derisive interruptions. but no
hot blood was shown.
The Government majority hung we'll
together, despite the rumors OF the last
few days that there were defections in
the Radical ranks and among the other
Socialist elements. Toward the end of
the afternoon Il was helievedthat the gem
eral debate would continue through to-
morrow, hut when at the ordinary hour OF
adjournment an attempt was made to defer
further discussion until tomorrow il was
voted down, and the Chamber resolved to
proceed forthwith 10 consideration OF the
articles of the law.
The first article was promptly adopted
after an amendment by NJ. Bonnevay
Progressive Republican, had been rejected.
The Chamber then, by a vote OF 377 to lls,
determined TO continue its examination Of
the articles this evening. IL did not rise,
however, until the final vote was taken.
NJ. BRAND Minister OF Public Worship,
was III yesterday, but this did not prevent
him from making a strong presentation
to-day of the Government's q attitude when
he replied TO the first speakers who opposed
the law.
NJ. Lasies Of the Anti-Senite Plebiscite,
speaking for himself and his friends. said
he lid not cooperate in the elaboration
Of the law, which was an injurious provoca-
tion to Catholics and a violat ion OF their
consciences. NJ. Lases read his speech,
which led NJ Coutant, Revolutionary So
cialist. to call out, 1T is the Pope who sent
that paper"
NJ. Raiberti, Radical Republican. declared
that the liberal measures contained in the
law we're contradicted and Offset by un-
acceptable prescriptions The project per-
mltted mayors and projects 10 designate
priests TO officiate in ediiiCes consecrated
to religious exercises. The Catholic reliG
ion. he declared, could only be confided 20
priests qualified by the supreme ecclestias-
80 81 IL fhiE could ha tho
result would be not separation, but war
By losing its property the Church would
only return to its original condition of
poverty. The State ought to be honest.
To violate the property Of one was 20 violate
the property of all. This was a detestable
example, opening the gate 10 other spolia-
tions tomorrow, all because the Pope left
all to two Latin words, mon possumRs."
Ex-Prime Minister Ribot said he recog-
nized the difficult position Of the Govern
ment, but better than a law Of reprisals
would be a policy Of bringing religious
peace to the country.
You leave the churches OPEN he added,
yet exact for the 1ominus uobiscum that
priests make a declaration to the police.
A singular country. ours, where every
thing is act 10 the gait Of the police"
Minister BRAND then ascended the tribune.
He said that the Government viewpoint
had not changed. The project was not the
result of the Popes attitude. but had been
well considered. The Government had long
known all the stages through which the
Papacy would cause il TO pass. II knew
that the law Of 1905 would be rejected, al
though in rejecting it the Papacy was not
only against the will Of the country but
also against the almost unanimous wishes
of the French clergy. Continuing, he said:
We have made to the Catholics. to the
clergy, all possible concessions. / know
no servitude comparable to that they have
shown in making submission to Rome.
One declaration annually is not a vexatious
hardship. We have not lost our s1ngfrOid,
having on our side right and power"
Here NJ de Ramel, Conservative, inter-
rupted the speaker, saying: when you took
the inventories you had recourse to force"
NJ. BRAND retorted; We have not needed
force. and will not need it," Applause
from the Left
Continuing. the Minister said -In bring
ing out the project profess to be in logical
accord with myself The situation is not
disturbing As NJ. Ribot declared, it is ex-
Cellcnt Jndt separation II dCCOUpHHneO dD-
solutely. The churches are open. There is
no religious budget. The priests are not
functionares Of the State. The country ia
calm. II is a startling justification Of our
pacific policy. We have the consciousness
Of having with us the entire country"
There were protestations from the Right
and, turning to the Right, NJ. BRAND added.
And also a majority Of the Catholics, on
whom your indictments no longer take nolu
Much applause We have seen priests
form associations and then Immediately
receive absolute orders from Rome. We
have moved loyalty" interruption from
the Right: And removed Cardinal Rich
ara "We have moved with all considera-
ton, especially toward the aged. II has
happened, however. that Bishops have
begged us to expel them as soon "a possible,
because they feared to receive distsstefuI
orders from Rome"
Here Deputy Denys Cochin, in whose
= - = XpHE