The Washington herald., 1906-12-11
Church DignitarieS Defiant;
Crisis Comes at Noon.
TROOPS TO BE EMPLOYED
Posters Put Up at Night Urging
Armed Resistance.
Clash Expected, and Cabinet VIII Re
main in Session All Day-TIoth Sides
DetermfBed, and Catholics Have the
Support of the Vatican-CiviI War
Considered Probable, Owing to
stand Taken by the Ministry.

Paris, Dec. 1O.-France is sitting on
mine Whether 1t viii explode or not no
one in high places appears to be willing
to publicly Prophesy tonight, the eve of
the date fixed for the operation of the
separation. law. Until the Pope's order
of Saturday was received all looked to-
ward actual peace. even II disaffection
smoldered among the most devoted Of
the faithful
Even tonight no one on any side will
forecast violence, excepting hotheads and
sensauonalists. ALI affect TO deny the
possibility Of civil war and the lesson
Of the election sustains this attitude
coupled. as it is. with the declarations Of
some devoted Catholics that they viii
abstain from mass during the coming
weeks If it is not celebrated in churches
safe from the liability Of intrusion.
Even while they condemn the govern
ment, it must be remembered always that
the question is both religious and poIiti-
cal.
The government is playing politics
playing for its life and the country.
The church is playing politics. as well
as for religion. Free thinkers are playing
for themselves.
Rome Counters AdrOitIy.
The governments conciIiatory overtures
have been effectUally cOuntered by ROme's
adroit about-face, even though the even
tuaI effect Of this on the church In France
is problematicaL
La Liberte. which has not been rabid
on the question, takes Prime Minister
CIemenceau's war slogan as a text to-
night. and sums up the situation briefly.
II says that tomorrow viii be a his
toric day.
Forty thousand functionaries will serve
% 900 verbal processes on 4O,001 priests.
who have neglected to make declaration
that they are going 20 say mass. and
after the Interrogation Of these the 1000
processes VIII remain dead letters, or be
followed by 5000 condemnations, and the
country plunged into a tumuit 10 be
avoided at any price,
Others acknowledge their inability 10
comprehend the Pope's sudden change
from the attitude OF his encyclical, in
which he ceunseled all lawful efforts 70
continue religious services, and point out
that the government heretofore has shown
one merit, the best OF good will
The governments haste TO announce its
readiness for war is hailed on the several
sides as an indication Of weakness, al
though the radical criticisms would have
been equally severe at anything less
Little Chance for Pence.
Despite all Of the efforts Of disinterested
persons. who really have the welfare Of
France at stake. there seems but very
little chance to reconcile church and
state. now that the Pope and the Vatican
authorities have openly deied the French
government. II is absolutely certain that
in more than $500 communes beginning
to-day. the authorities must absolutely
prohibit the holding OF religious services,
and this means that the police in the vari-
Gus localities must eject the parish priests
and their assistants and close up the
churches. Notice was served on all of the
high church officials in the city. includ-
ing the Archbishop Of Paris. TO immedi-
ately vacate all Of their residences. and
further conveying the intimation that if
they were not yet out OF them by noon
to-day force would be used 60 evict them
The result is that there were posted in
public places during the night, and in sew
eraI of the churches, appeals calling upon
all Catholics to gather TO protect their
pastors at any cost.
In answer to these threats, the gov
ernment has notified the police through
out the country that crowds must not be
permitted to gather to-day and that all
priests who resist the officers Of the Law
are to be at once arrested. A special ses-
sion of the cabinet has been called for
noon to-day. at which the entire contro-
versy Is to be gone over again and the
plan Of procedure arranged by the Presi-
dent and prime minister confirmed.
This plan, while carefully guarded, is
understood to be simply a decision to
radically enforce the law, the govern
ment holding that the Vatican. and not
the French nation. is 10 blame
All church property. ornaments, ritual
istic appliances. &c, are 10 be held in
trust for year
The prefect Of police Of Paris is in his
Office and will stay there throughout the
day. He has mapped his plans for deal
ing with the riotous demonstrations that
are sure to come to-day, and claims to
have the entire situation well in hand