Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-12


priests Of this department that they must
evacuate their residence tomorrow. Simi-
lar notices were served on the clergy in
the other departments notifying them to
leave their residences on Tuesday or Fri
day.
PARIS, Dec ii-After a meeting Of the
cabinet ministers IL was announced that
on December IA Premier Clemenceau will
ask Parliament to suppress the pensions
Of the clergy, to lquidate the public prop
erty. Of Catholics and to distribute the
presbyteries, sen inaries, etc.
War Minister Picquart has ordered the
recruiting officers to require ecclesiastical
students to present their certificates to-
morrow. Those VINO fail to do so by De-
cember 20 viii be ordered to join the colors
January Z. The order affects $500 students.
Among other measures the cabinet pro-
poses to introduce in Parliament Decem-
Der Il. is a bill authorizing the government
to expel ecclesiasucs. whose presence is
considered dangerous to the public peace.
Nuncio is Expelled.
Monsignor Montagnini, secretary Of the
papal nunc,ature here since the recall OF
the nuncio, was arrested this afternoon
upon an order expelling him from France
and viii be conducted to the frontier to-
night The residence Of Monsignor Mon
tagnni was searched by the police
Immense quantities Of documents found
at the nunciature were seized and taken
to police headquarters.
A courier from the papal secretary Of
state. Cardinal Merry del Val, bearing dis
patches from Rome. was turned back at
the frontier today.
Historic Day for France.
This is an historic day for France. The
struggle which began in 1880 with the
banishment of the Jesults ended today with
the legal rupture OF the bond. which for
practically thousand uninterrupted years
had united church and state. BY refusing
TO make the required declarations under
the public meeting law Of 1881, public
Catholic worship. except by schismat!c
organizations tomorrow becomes illegal
The scene in some Of the churches were
extremely touching. Not in years had
there been such an attendance at mass.
The number Of women was especially large
and was noteworthy as indicating the
religious Indifference OF the male pop
ulation. Although seven-eighths Of the In
habitants OF this city are nominally Catho-
lies, IN no parts OF the city were the
cathedral, where a solemn high mass was
celebrated, the edihce was only half hlled.
The officials OF the clergy read the regular
offices for the week as usual without re-
ferring to their Illegal status tomorrow
Nevertheless the depression Of the Catho-
lies was manifest. Many women emerged
form the cathedral, their eyes streaming
with tears end fingered on the pavement to
discuss what TO do when the clergy are
tourLed out Of the churches But on the
eve OF the struggle It Is becoming more
apparent that both the government officials
and higher ecclesiastics are resisting the
advice OF the Incorporate. Minister OF
Public worship BRAND Announces that the
government cannot be driven into the
trap OF closing the churches" and Cardinal
Richard. archbishop Of Paris has strongly
censured the placarding Of appeals 10 the
clericals to make violent resistance to the
officers.
EMO violence" Say EccIesiastics.
mo violence" he says but passive re-
sistance TO the unjust law, after exhaust
ing all protests al every step"
This is the disposition so far as the
higher ecclesiastics are concerned, but
their followers evidently have no intention
20 submit and are preparing TO assume the
role OF martyrs, abandon the churches and
organize private worship.
Cardinal Richard and many Of the
bishops have already begun the removal
OF their private effects from the episcopal
mansions and the clergy are preparing 10
leave their rectorles and move into hired
lodgings. II IS announced that the parish
priests have received many offers Of places
in which 20 hold religious services, but
there is not the slightest indication that
they intended 70 take advantage OF the sole
remaining chance 10 retain their churches.
namely by making the declaratio called
for by the law. The government realizes
that additional legislative power e neces-
sary and will accordingly ask Parliament
for 10. Receivers have been appointed
everywhere 10 assume charge OF the
churches sequestered properly and three
policemen viii be stationed tomorrow at
the doors OF each OF the churches to report
violations OF the law; but. as such vio-
latiOns can only be tried In the police
courts, and as the penalty Is only IS francs
fine and fifteen days Imprisonment, with
the right Of appeal. sterner measures will
be necessary.
Tone OF Republican Press.
The tone Of the republican press Of all
shades indicates that n the pope inagtnes
that an unc5mpromising attitude win COM
pei the French government 10 open negotia-
tions with the Vatican he has woefully
mistaken the temper Of the people, which
favors a more hostile rather than mora
conoiiatory attitude. The Republique Fran.
caise says:
The time has passed when pope could
successfully threaten 10 release French
subjects from their allegiance. Dehnance
OF the law will only expose the priests e
being regarded as the subjects OF a foreign
power. BY which they would forfeit theil
rights as Frenchmen."
In the hope OF enecting a compromise
several deputies headed by George Ley
guek radical republican aud ex-minister OF
the colonies. have telegraphed 10 the may
ors OF the eommunes asking them 10 induce
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