The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-02
CATHOLICS
 UP IN ARMS Protests Against lnven- tories of Churches, GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED Premier Declares Law Will Be
 Carried Out. Everywhere in France the Putting Into Operation of Separation BiIl
 Raises . storm of Oppo-
 sition to Authorities. 
GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED

faflS, Fep. l.--EVeryWnefe in FTdnCe the actual putting in operation of the clause of the church and State separa- ton bill which provides for the making OF inventories of the property of the churches has aroused storm of pro- test.
 In several provincial parishes Cath olics have gathered in the churches and made such strong resistance that the Government commissioners were unable to enter the edifices- In Paris today violent scenes took place in sew eral churches, notably those of St. Koch and St cIothilde.
 An inventory of the property of the church of St. Koch has not yet been made, owing to the opposition of the congregation, but the defenders of the church of St. Clothilde sucoumbed be- fore the energetic assault of an armed force which acted on the avowed in- tention of the Government to use every means at its disposal to compel obedi- ence to the enactment.
 Rouvier Makes Announcement.
 A Socialist Deputy, NJ. Allard, inter pelIated by the Government in the Chamber this afternoon relative to the measures which 1t was intended to take to protect the Government com missioners in carrying their instruc- tions to make inventories of the prop erTH OI the CHuTCnts. 1AOuNiCi replied that the authorities had orders to use tact and moderation during the operation but the Government was de- terrnined to do its duty at any cost. even employing armed force If neces- sary. .
 In. the meantime, the opposition of the Catholics to the taking of the in- ventories is becoming more formidable. " nile the ministry was being interpel- ,l, has nf aXfFRunH violence were transpiring at the Church of St. Clothtlde, near the Chamber or Deputies The church had been filled since early morning, the congregation including many prominent members of the nobility. senators and deputies
 Before the government conImlsslonr e ,appeared q police official vsaos et :. tempted to induce the clergy to permit an inventory to be taken received se- were maItreatment, while outside the policemen and mounted municipal guards were compelled to adopt the sternest measure In order to disperse the turbulent crowds Repeating charges occurred. leading to fifty ar rests Among those taken into custo- dy were two priests The crowd even- tually became so violent in the Rue De- Grenelle that the police drew their swords, which, however, they did not use. Many persons including some po- Iicemen were injured during the fight ing.
 The Prefect of Police. M Lepine. per- sonally supertnIended the maintenance of order, but despite the fact that he counselled calmness, was unable to restore quiet. Eventually the fire engines were ordered to take up a position near the church so as to be able to drencn the crowd which obstt- nately refused to move, the women showing the greatest determination, opening umbrea.as for their protec- tion and In the meanwhile chanting psalms.
 M. Lepine ordered the municipal guards and police to enter the church. Under a shower of broken chairs the officers broke down the railings in front of the entrance while the crowd rained heavy blows on them. Then the firemen burst in the doors and the po- lice and municipal guards entered the buildings. One of the police officers was severely wounded. Inside the church the congregation had erected barrfcades which had to be taken by assault, while men and women fainted. After the church had been cleared the commissioner proceeded to take the h. ventory, the Catholics outside singing canticles.
 The prefect of the department of the Seine has issued an order to the clergy. Instructlng them to give up the keys of their churches and adding that In ease of refusal the commissioners are instructed to call on the armed forces for assistance.