The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-11

Special Gable Despatch M THE SUN.
PARIS, Dec. lO.-France is sitting on a
mine Whether IL will explode or not no
one in high place appears TO be willing to
prophecy publicly tonight, the eve of
the date fixed for the operation of the sep-
aration law.
Until the Pope's order Of Saturday was
received all looked forward to actual peace.
sven il dissatisfaction smouldered among
the most devoted Of the faithful. Even
tonight no one on any side will forecast
violence excepting hotheads and sensa-
tionalists.
All affect to deny the possibility Of civil
war and the lesson of the last election
s~ustsins this attitude. coupled as it is with
the declaration Of some devoted Catholics
that they will abstain from mass during the
coming weeks il il is not celebrated in
churches safe from liability to intrusion.
Even while they condemn the Government.
it must be remembered always that the
question is both religious and political.
The Government is playing politics, play
ing for its life and the country. The Church
rs paying pOllllCB Hr we'll as dCllu& lI TO-
ligion. Free thinkers are playing for them
selves. All are sparring, II one may speak
irreligiously, although even devout Cath
olics are saying to-day in despair that
Leo XIII. would not have ~precipitate1
this crisis. The Governments conciliatory
overtures rave been efectually countered
by Romeis adroit about face, even though
the eventual effect OF this on the Church in
France is problematical.
The Liberte, which has not been rabid on
the question, takes Prime Minister Clemen-
ceau's war slogan az a text tonight and
sums up the situation briefly. II says that
o-morro will be a historic day. Forty
thousand functionaries will serve 10000
verbal processes on 40. 900 priests who have
neglected to make declaration that they
are going 10 say mass and after the inter-
roRation of these the 5000 processes will
either remain lead letters OF the law or else
be followed by 10000 COMBINATIONS, and
the country will be plunged into a tImult
to be avoided at any price.
Others, acknowledging their inability to
comprehend the Pope's sudden change
from the attitude of his encyclical in which
he counselled all lawful efforts to continue
religious services. point out that the Gov
eminent heretofore has shown one merit
the best Of good will. They maintain that
it should now show another. yet utmost
sonofroid. In short, the Government
haste to its readiness for war
ia hailed on several sides as an indication
Of weakness. although the Radical criti-
cisms would have been equally severe at
anything less.
The Chamber Of Deputies was too busy
with the budget to-day 10 take up the sub
ject. IL is expected that il will crop up
there tomorrow. The corridors to-day
bunzed with discussion of the subject,
The Ministers will meet at the Palace Of
the Flysee in the morning TO act definitely
on the BRAND Dessaigne pro-
gramme. and the Government may be
able to inform the Chamber before any
Interpolation Of its final determination.
Critics point ont that in the law Of 1905
the nations will, az voiced by its represent
atives, was explicitly directed at the
Church, whereas the law of 1881 did not
rave the Church in contemplation and
therefore il now figures in the situation
only underM Briand's circular. Theyiseethe
Government and the Church armed on either
side with their circular as a barricade and
they admonish the Government against
war over a mere administrative Formally.
On the other hand the journal des Debdts
that many churches we're pls-
carded to-day with appeals to active resist
ance.
Cardinal Richard, Archbishop Of Paris,
has determined to vacate his place at the
first II has been decided by
the Church authorities that all the pres
byteries Of Paris will be evacuated by
n ~ l---l
under the laws OF 1875 and 1901.
The circulars issued by Ministers BRAND
and Dessaigne are explicit for the eXecu-
ton OF the law. but are subject TO emphasis
OF modification by the Government council
tomorrow.
Minister Brands inst ~rpctions to the
projects and those Of Minister OF Justice
Dessaigne to the generate, or
public prosecutors, insist that the laws
covering public meetings must be carried
out strictly. Minister BRAND says that no
French citizens exist who under any pre-
text whatever have the right to place
themselves above French laws and rebel
against them.
Minister Dessaigne tells the procureurs
hat if Deputy Judges grant appeals they
must not hesitate to refuse 10 heed them if
they consider tnelr cases well 1OunOeu.
Both Ministers insist that no case Of in
fraction Of the separa ton law shall be
overlooked.
According TO the code offences against
the law Of 1881 are punishable by imppison-
ment not exceeding FIVE days or a fine Of
from one 10 FIVE francs. The law refers
to casual. transient and exceptional meet
ings. Many lawyers argue that it does
not apply TO religious meetings.
The Petit PGrisien asks, which will VIM"
and adds:
-One is almost tempted TO think that
Cardinal Merry del Val and the other
fanatical Cardinals who induced the Pope
TO issue this ltimatum have been deceived
regarding the degree OF respect Frenchmen,
even practising Catholics. profess for the
French laws. No liberal mind can approve
the Pope's decision
The Mdtin a
The priest who tomorrow says mass
publicly without con forming to the law will
be prosecuted before a simple police tribu-
ma !. II a simple fine is inflicted he will
aOpoaI ~ tho Court NJ Cessation 10 N Jov