New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
WORLD AFFAIRS VIEWED BY OBSERVERS ABROAD
EFFECT OF POPES ENCY-
CLICAL IN FRANCE
Especial by French Gable TO The Tribune
Copyright, 1907. by The Tribune Association !

lCopyright. 1907. by The Tribune Association
FaiiS' jan 1.-THE Papal encyclical causes
o uipfise end but little comment here. Con-
serVatlVe organs like the Journal des Debats"
"Hlch opposed the Separation law. express re-
sret that the encycncal. issued just before the
assembly of the French bishops contains no
practlcal suggestion indication that would
render less difficult the task imposed upon the
french Episcopate the meeting on Tuesday
Inc Eclair" expresses the opinion that after
ILLS ehcychcaI the French Catholics now have
no other choice than that of obedience or schisn
Inc bishops, however, are absolutely infiexible
In their opposition to schism, which they con-
sider the greatest peril that the French clergy
can be threatened with
ASSEMBLY OF FRENCH BISHOPS
The third assembly of French bishops is to be
heio In the Chateau de la Muette adjacent to
the Bois de Bouiogne. In the country house
where Louis XIV used to meet Nine de Pompa-
oour. and which it's present owner Comte de
branqueviue. member of the Institute, who is
married to a charming English woman whose
maiden name Lady Sophia Palmer has
placed at the disposal Of the French Episcopate
The assembly will in the opinion OF French Cath
ohcs mark an important date in the history of
the French Church. 1t is admitted by leading
Catholics that NJ. BRAND was correct In his
statements that at the two previous assemblies
the bishops were willing to accept the condi-
uons OF the separation law in regard to declara-
tions. but were reluctantly compelled by orders
from the Vatican to desist from such acts of
conciliation. The attitude of the bishops is to-
day unchanged. but they are conscious that the
masses Of French Catholics will be bitterly dis
appointed unless at its third meeting
Tuesday the Episcopate shall arrive at
practical solution enabling the churches to re-
main open for public worship. The former
meetings were in the nature of preliminary ex-
periments, but on Tuesday the Episcopate must
decide. yes or no. whether the priests shall con-
tinue to administer holy Offices in the churches
or whether they shall desist and proclaim a sort
of religious strike. Information from the high
est source indicates that all the bishops, with
out solitary dissenting voice, condemn any
efforts at schism the secession OF any por-
ton Of the Gallican Church from that of Rome
and that nevertheless. they feel confident that
some means will be devised enabling the priests
to continue their functions in the churches which
the government firmly persists in keeping
open under no matter what provocation OF the
party of Ultramontane clericalism.
VIEWS OF MINISTER BRAND.
NJ. BRAND, Minister of Education. Public Wor-
ship and Fine Arts. complains that the Ultra
montane newspapers in France and abroad
have attributed to him blasphemous and intol-
Grant language which he never uttered. NJ
BRAND says: II respect the convictions, religious
other. Of every Frenchman. and it would be
an act Of medieval intolerance for any govern
ment 10 interfere with the free expressions OF
individual faith. The French Republic assures
absolute liberty of conscience SO long as the
civil authority OF the state is recognized as
paramount in the limits Of French territory"
Americans who visit the Paris art museums
will be glad to learn that NJ. BRAND has de-
cided to transform the spacious seminary OF
St SuIpice evacuated by the theological stu
dents in consequence of the refusal Of the Vat-
can to allow the French ecciesiastics to obey the
Separation laws, into annex for the Luxem-
bourg gallery of paintings devoted TO contempo-
rary artists, where for want Of space the works
of many painters including those of Whistler
Sargent. Dannat. Weeks and other American and
foreign artists have hitherto only been exhibited
at brief intervals The Sulpice seminary will thus
become one of the most interesting art centres
Of Paris.
NOT FOR DISARMAMENT.
W. T. Stead in the course OF his visit TO Paris
had conversations with President Fallieres and
with Premier Clemenceau concerning the new
Hague conference arranged to take place four
months hence The present government will
lose no opportunity of asserting in every pract-
cal way Its adherence and devotion to ideas OF
peace but no member of the Cabinet Is pre-
pared to advocate anything like disarmament
either in army navy, feeling convinced that
any such weakening Of the defensive strength
of France would in the long run greedy increase
the chances OF war. The feeling here Is that
every possible encouragement should % gwen
to free discussion Of international measures for
regulating hostilities. for mitigating the suUer-
ing of beligerents and for widening the scope
changes in Persia the Indian Viceroys meet