The Cairo bulletin., 1906-11-07
SAYS ROME MUST
YIELD TO Law
CLEMENCEAU, THE NEW FRENCH
PREMIER, ANNOUNCES HIS
DECISION.
FIGHT WILL NOW BEGIN
For the Vast Estates OF the Church
and the Clergy is Pledged to Op'
pose the Seizure-Pope Calls
II Persecution.

Paris, November with the re
opening of the French Parliament to-
day interest became centered in the
attitude of the new Premier, NJ. Glenn
enceau, on the all-absorbing question
Of the separation Of church and state
NJ. Clemenceau announced that the
new law would insure full exercise
of liberty of conscience. 1t is under
stood NJ. Clemenceau will demand full
obedience to the law In dealing with
the religious congregations. Those
who know his views intimate that he
is willing to grant the church time in
which to adjust itself to the new con
ditions, but he has always stood
strongly for ultimate separation.
There seems to be no doubt that
the division of the church property is
close at hand, but there is bound TO
be a tremendous fight on the part of
the heads of the church in France to
save as large a share as possible of
the great wealth that has been built
up by the organization
The church in France is enormously
rich. It's cathedrals and their treas
ures represent an incalcuable value,
but, OF course. the government would
tional property, and il a division were
made now, the church. as the weaker
party, would be obliged to accept a
very presided division. This they are
fighting hard to avoid.
The Radical Element.
Should the new premier try a con
ciliatory policy he is likely to find
bitter and determined opposition on
the part of the Socialists under the
lead of NJ Jaures, who are clamoring
for immediate separation and the TAX
ing over Of the church property by
the nation. They are very strong in
the new Parliament, and will fight for
their views
The fight for the separation of
church and datate began in 1903 under
Premier Combes, The battle was
long and bitter one. and is was not
until December 6, 1905 that the bill
finally passed the French senate, hav-
ing passed the Chamber of Deputies
on October % preceding.
A storm of Indignation on the part
of the Catholic followed and the
French Government met the most bit
ter opposition from the Vatican.
Last month occurred in Paris for the
first tine in a century meeting Of all
the Bishops under the leadership of
Cardinal Richard to take action re-
garding the new law. 1t was resolved
unanimously to oppose the policy of the
without transgressing the
law.
Clemenceau Policy.
NJ. Clemenceau has declared that
he will not he dictated to by Rome
and that he will enforce the law.
In recent speech he declared:
The legislature never dreamed
that the Pope would not accept the
law. The leg stature decreed that the
churches should be put into the hands
Of public worship associations. AS
these associations do not at present
exist what must be done with the
The doors. so far have been
kept open. They are, as usual, en-
tered at burials, marriages and bap-
tisms. II is not proper that their,
doors should even be closed.
1T is right that the customary wor-
shops should go on as long as family
life in this country continues to de-
mand it. II must not be thought. how
ever that We can continue forever
granting such favor and privilege to
the church while she is standing in
actual revolt against US.
Rome refuses a law which yields
her must advantageous privileges.
She saws all or nothing. She will have
to he satisfied with the rights enjoyed
by everyone else under regime n
liberty"
All Ewes on Premier.
The Chamber Of Deputies was crow1
cd TODAY when the Cabinet Ministers
entered. and all eyes were on Premier
Clemenceau and War Minister Pic
ousri. but there was no demonstration
If an extraordinary nature. The
Premier. when he read the ministerial
declaration q policy. was followed at
feutivelv and evoked several rouhds
r r-., sar.oefaIfv when ne an