Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-21
Two Policies Compared.

Through diplomatic channels assurances
had been given to Leo XIII by the French
government, headed by Waldeck- Rousseau.
that the French Catholic schools would not
suffer by the association law passed In
1900 These documents have been pub
lished in the Vatican White Book. Still,
what happened only a few months after!
In spite of the pledged word of the French
government, 1900 Catholic schools were
closed within year.
ITO this policy of diplomatic brigandage
and wanda lism the pope might have answer
ed by withdrawing from the French gov
eminent the privilege, of protecting Catho-
lies In the orient, which gives to france
an incalculable moral prestige in the east
and the far east. But the holy see, IN
spite of the incessant provocations OF the
French government, and the most allurlng
offers Of Austria. Italy and Germany sun
maintains to France that prerogative. Win
one stroke of the pen Plus X might hu-
This he refuses to do, renouncing all re-
taliations of ordinary warfare l leave TO
you to Judge which side possesses mag
nanimity and 1 may say superhuman en-
durance.
"Combes. the arch-enemy of the Catho-
lie Church, has given, two weeks ago, an
interview to the New Free Press of Vienna
Here are his very words:
mo Plus x does not act as stubborn
man; he acts as a pope who Is conscious
of his functions, conscious also OF the
Catholic doctrine and of his mission to
preserve 1t. His incorporating attitude
is not the attitude of a man, 1t Is the attl-
tude of doctrine. and this doctrine he can
not either misrepresent or ignore. he IS
right when he declares that he is In honor
and duty bound to proclaim 1t unless he
will commit in matter Of Catholic teaching
a veritable treason. This is a fundamental
point Of view worthy considering at
length
Open War Against cathoIicity.
what further proof need We that the
separation law was leveled against Catho-
lie doctrine and the constitution Of the
Catholic Church? If the attitude Of Plus x
Is the attitude of Catholic doctrine, then.
out of your own mouth. Mr.. Combes this
separation law as it stands is an open war
against Catholcity.
Some weeks ago senator OF the new
separation law committee exclaimed that
this bill is nothing short of anarchy. And
BRAND, author Of the law. answered spite
fully, Granted, but it is legal anarchy.
my friends, the historian. the states
man and the morallst of the coming ages
will confirm this verdict and will stigma
tie this separation law as the prostitution
Of law and the vile degradation of justice.
The pope Is fighting and French Cathoiics
with him for a real free church. such as
we enjoy in America. Listen to his words
addressed to French Catholics In his en-
cyclical Of January 2:
ave wait feariessly the verdict of his
tory, which must be that with our eyes
fixed increasingly on the transcendant
rights of God. we did not intend to humili-
ate the civil power nor to combat form
of government. but only to safeguard the
spiritual temple Of Christ. What we de-
manded and demand for the church Is re-
spect for her hierarchy. ner property and
liberty If that had been granted the re-
ligious peace would not have been dis
turbed. and the day our demand Is needed
the longed-for peace will be restored