The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
TROOPS At VATICAN
Mob Seeking to Rush Palace
Checked by BayOnetS.
FEW DISORDERS IN FRANCE
UsunI Services Held and Bishops and
Priests EnthusiasficaHy Greeted
by Loyal ParIshiOnerp - women
Drive on COmmissary Near Brest,
and Troops Called TO Enforce Law.

Rome. Dec. 1s-The feeling of the popu-
lace here is so strong against the Vati-
can in connection with the dispute with
France that the authorities judged II
necessary 70 employ the whole police
force. and have the entire military gar
risOn under arms to prevent a demon
stTation arranged for this afternoon for
the purpose Of acclaiming the republic
outside the French Embassy.
The Vatican was surrounded by cav
airy, the horses being unshod to enable,
II necessary, a charge over the cobble-
stones. The streets and bridges leading
TO the Vatican were occupied by the
troops, and traffic was stopped. Troops
were stationed in the Piazza Farnese'
where the French Embassy Is located.
Large crowds. composed mostly OF stu
dents. loafers, and The dregs Of the
city, gathered early In the afternoon.
They at first tried TO reach the Vatican.
but found everywhere a line OF bayonets
opposing them Several Tushes occurred.
and there were shouts Of Death TO the
PRIESTS Down with the Pope!" and
Long live France
City Is in State of Siege.
The mob tried to reach the embassy
but troops cordOned the street leading to
the Piazza Farnese and prevented them.
Several charges were made The crowd
was never allowed to gather strength. The
trouble was practically over by nightfan.
but the city continues 20 have the ap-
pearance Of being in a state of siege
Armed soldiers protect the Vatican. par
lament buildings. and the embassies. as
well as hold the streets and squares.
while numbers of others are held ready 10
houses and coUrtyards for use in case OF
emergency.
The commander of the papaI gendarmes
called on Cardinal Merry del Val this
morning. and asked for orders. The car
dinal replied that he was TO take no pre-
cautions. He was to leave the doors of
St Peters open. as the government would
keep order.
Day Passes Quietly in France.
Paris. Dec. 16-France's first Sunday
since the state and church were legally
separated passed much as other sundays
church. All the regular services were held
at the usual hours. with the customary
peace and good order. Nowhere in Paris
was there aughJ unseemly OF anything
annoying, nor had the reports received
from the provinces up to this evening
brought word of any incident of serious
import. with the single exception OF
Brest, where commissary was prevented
by a fanatical crowd from obtaining the
name Of a priest who lad said mass. The
eommissary was obliged 20 draw his re-
volver to defend himself from woman
who raised a knife to stab him.
The worshipers found some changes
connected with the services. In the first
place, NEST OF the Paris churches opaned
for entrance only their small or side
doors. but their great doors were opened
for the exit of the congregations. Inside
no receveuse stood ready to collect nav
ment for places. all seats being free under
the state In some churches the aims
boxes remained as usual In Others. they
were wide open, as a reminder TO the
faithful that such contributions were no
longer the property of the church.
ceremonies With Accustomed Pomp.
In most of the churches the ceremonies
were conducted with the customary pomp.
including choral accessories, Indicating
that any of the heretofore paid assistants
were serving free or that a new means
had been found to remunerate them, but
some churches were without altar dec
orations and had no music whatever. The
only other noticeable change within .be
churches was the presence in all. EXCEPT
the Madeleine. of three or four police
who found nothing TO do. The cure of
the Madeleine declined to receive protee-
tiOn from the police. but doubtless n gov
ernment agent was present at the serv-
ices there. At Notre Dame there were
many police and detectives to guard
against any emergency. They were. how
ever. needless.
No disposition was shown anywhere by
enemies of the church TO make trouble.
Indeed, there was no sign OF the exist
ence of such enemies
Some Catholics appeared to anticipate
trOUble. Thirty jealous youths went II
NOtre Dame de Lid Croix armed with
cudgels and po ted themselves before the
great doors. The cures wisdom COM
PEELED them tc deposit their sticks In The
CONTINUED on SECOND PAGE.