The Washington herald., 1907-01-31

Sunday night, against the attitude OF the
French government toward the church,
reached Paris Tuesday morning. TWO
days have since passed without bringing
forth a single editorial comment or criti-
cism- Neither the French lay nor reii-
gious journals reproduced this declara-
ton Of loyal American Catholics, which
was brought here by papers published
il English
This may possibly indicate that re-
Bponse TO public opinion is less immedi-
ate here than in America or England, or
perhaps. as some who>are termed enemies
of the church believe, that separation is
veritably more political than a religious
question in France. even in the minds of
the faithful themselves
The somewhat sneering remark of NJ.
BRAND, minister OF public instruction, in
the Chamber Of Deputies yesterday, that
there were. indeed. Catholics in France
who prGticed religion from conviction,
and that If there were only 1000 more of
them the state should not persecute them.
did not bring forth expressions of out
ragged feeling. which less brutal words
from the governing powers have done
within a few months. On the contrary,
the pro-church papers merely said BRAND
was preparing to accede 20 the bishops
demands. while the anti-clericaI organs
echoed the remarks of members I'm the
government that the government would
not be permitted at this late date to sue
cumb TO the cIurch's demands
BRAND Starts tO Leave.
This guesswork discussion was sud-
denly interrupted and set at naught by
an incident in the chamber late this
afternoon. when during a speech by
Prime Minister Clemenceau. responding TO
NJ. Jaures. NJ BRAND abruptly quit the
minister's bench. taking his portfolio
with him. He was Immediately pursued
by several ministers, who begged him
10 return. NM Thompson. Viviani, and
DOumergue particularly besought him TO
reconsider his determination to beat a
hasty retreat because he and NJ CIemen-
cetu ag8 apparently not in absolute ac-
cord.
NJ BRAND declared that IN view of the
events me believed it his duty to retire
but he consented in response to entreaties
TO retain his portfolio NJ Clemeuceau
meantime had been advised of N. Bri-
and $ prec.piJate retreat. He fastened
as soon as he left the tribune to seek
Eis colleague. and returned and escort
ing n BRAND to the ministerial bench.
Up 10 date, therefore, II. Clemenceau.
with the ideas he represents, and has
expressed as TO the war with the church.
SO long as the church shall i'm his view.
want war, remain in the government sad
die.
Those who saw in some Of NJ BRAND S
words yesterday indications of the gov
ernment's readiness to back down appar-
emily mistOol his personal ideas for the
governments, or thought he believed that
he could sway the government toward ac-
Cepting the bishops demands. On the
other hand. there were those who de-
clared that the government could not ac-
cept the demand, and they went so far as
TO say that they had been formulated to
bring down a veritable persecution.
The debate which gave rise to the dra-
matte incident of NJ Brands departure
with his portfolio under his arm arose
over amendments offered TO the govern
ment project for regulating public wor-
ship under general act governing public
assem- blages. which has displayed NJ
Flaudins bill with his assent. and has
since been known as the Flandin bill
After amendments had been adopted re-
quiring mayors to put at the disposal Of
all citizens any hall under their rule
habitually used for public assemblages,
and holding the organizers of meetings
responsible for any damages, NJ. Meunier
offered an amendment defeTring the en-
forcemeut of the law for month. NJ.
BRAND objected strenuously to delaying
the application of the law
n Jaures. the Socialist leader denand-
ed 10 be heard. He said it was easy TO
show that the act Of the bishops consti-
tuted one Of the worst uaneuvers against
the democracy as the c2T tracts which it
was proposed 10 present 10 the mayors
left them nothing to 20 bat TO sign He
begged the members of the Cnalaber not
to let such diversions turn them into e.
C urse permitting theI~ advcrsaries 10 take
the controversy again before tie country.
Minister Causes HiIarfty.
NJ CIemenceau interrupted VI. Jaures to
dissipate. as he said. the Inisunderstand-
ing Indicated by NJ. Jaures' remarks He
remarked that in the first place Il law
had been voted whicn he as minister Of
the interior, was charged with executing
He added, amid much laughter that
everything had been foreseen, except what
had happened. He then quoted NJ Alard' $
remark of yesterday, we are I'm a state
of inCOheTeuCe." He observed amid more
laughter 1T is true
At this juHcture NJ. BRAND arose and
stalked from the chamber. NJ Clemen-
ceau continued: 1T is not I who have put
myself there I have been put there
(Great hilaTityD No other government
would have dared 10 speak i'm this tone
We have nothing to cOncede. We remain
in battle. Our arms are not worn out
(Great agitation.) We are a progressive
government.
At this point n. Jaures interrupted, say
ing: we ought 10 recognize that If sep
arsJion is three-quarters accomplished. it
IS due to BRAND
II. CIemeuceau said: IF in temporizing
I have said aught that is disagreeable to
my colleague and friend. NJ BRAND, I ex-
press publicly the liveliest regrets. which
I viii renew personally in an instant in
the name Of the Republican majority"
(Applause)
NJ. Meunier said: IN view Of what mas
happened and the grievOus impression il
is likely TO produce in the country. / with
draw ny amendment"
The chamber then adopted the lew in its
entirety by vote of $50 10 g