The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-20


compromise which, according TO BuRKE,
constitutes three-Eourths OF s~tatecraft.
His method of dealing with the difficult
political problem presented by the min
ers' strike in northeastern France r
conclusive witness to his tact and execu-
tive ability and put an end to the mis-
giving that had been felt concerning his
qualifications for the Office OF Prime
Minister. Additional evidence to the
same effect was given by him the other
day when he announced himself opposed
to any vindictive co~nfiscation OF church
buildings, in spite Of the pastoral letter
in which the French Bishops recorded
their unanimous assent to the encyclical
of Plus X, disappearing not only OF the
ASSOCIATIONS cultuelles" prescribed by the
Separation law, but also Of the so-called
"Rabrician" associations proposed by a
majority Of the French e~piscopate at an
earlier date.
We are doubtless justified in assuming
that, NJ. CLEMENCEAU being Premier,
the Bishops and priests will be allowed
TO occupy the cathedrals and churches
for some time after December II, when
the Separation law is generally supposed
to become operative, although 1t Is re-
ported that in the opinion of the new
Prime Minister the text Of the act will
bear a different construction. just what
compromise with the Papacy will be
finally reachedit is not 10Y easy to fore
see, though, with a conciliatory temper
on both sides, it should not be imprac-
ticable to hit upon an arrangement by
which Catholics can worship in France,
seeing that their coreligionists are able
I o do so in Protestant Prussia. There 10
this difference, however, between the
regulations of the Separation law n
those which exist in Prussia. The dsso-
Citations cultuelles prescribed for France
by the statute are to be independent OF
ecclesiastical authorities, who are en-
tirely ignored by the law, and to be COM
pletely under the hand Of the civil power.
In the case of the Prussian parochial
! associations, on the other hand, the civil
| power has no opening for intervention
in case of a dispute on points Of disci-
pline or doctrine. With regard to some
other matters, indeed, an appeal lies to
the Governor Of provinces. The only
| person, however, who has a right &c
o6icio to a seat on a parochial association
is the parish priest, and the Bishop has
the right Of convoking the association
whenever he thinks good and Of express
ing his judgment about the conduct OF
their affairs. He can even dissolve an
association for neglect Of duty or dis
miss a member Of one for the same Of
fence. In other words, in the Prussian
associations the parish priests and Bish-
OPS retain the place which belongs to
them under the constitution of the
Church, Under the circumstances 1t is
not surprising that Bishop ToUCHET Of
Orleans should have told the French
Government that if it would only offer
Catholics the counterpart Of the Prussian
associations the Pope would undoubt-
edly consider the proposal.
Nobody will underrate the difficulty
Of the task imposed on NJ. CLEMENcEAU.
Plainly, however, it presents to him a
great opportunity. which, if turned TO
full account, may relieve his country
from religious quarrels for years to come
and place him high on the roll Of states
men.