Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-30
Minister BRAND Says Offer Has
Threatening Tone.
CONFUSION m THE CABINET
Noderates Are Embarrassed BY the
Unexpected situation--widsly
Divergent Views Of Papers.

PARIS, January S0.-The French cabinet
has hardly recovered from it's surprise at
the proposition which the bishops, with the
approval Of the pope. submitted to the gov
eminent for q modus vivendi on the basis
Of q virtual lease Of the churches in per.
petuity to the parish priests by the mayors.
and apparently some confusion exists as to
what course to adopt
While the off-hand remarks Of Minister
OF Education BRAND in the chamber of
deputies last night, that the conditions pro-
posed in behalf Of the episcopate were un-
acceptable do not necessarily exclude the
Possibility OF q compromise, the attitude OF
the extreme radicals. who are incensed at
the peremptory tone Of the communica-
ton and at the dispatches from Rome rep
resenting the vatican as being determined,
unless the bishops proposition is imme-
diately' and unanimously accepted. to order
the parish priests to leave their churches
and suspend public worship, greatly en-
barrass the moderated. The latter believe
that the government, having accomplished
the separation Of church and state, can at
ford to accept any definite solution OF the
oAAASuatAcS IA ZIG lhtoTcSt OI VcdCos
II. Brands Views.
In the course of his speech M. BRAND
said: ,s.e.s,s,..s,. -=,s 7.f
1.-THE threatening tone and the brutality
Of the declaration Of the bishops have
struck me as well as yeu. The conditions
are unacceptable. An important point is
the circumstances under which they were
laid down. The bishops caused the pope
to adopt declaration admitting the posi-
bility Of an arrangement with the local au-
churches which previously had been de-
clared impossible. That is not the position
OF victor.
1.-THE government has placed the church
In legal position in spite of herself, and
that dificuities have arisen, and viii con-
tinue to arise, Is not surprising. The cabi-
net will face these difficulties, thanks to
the support OF the majority in the cham
Der. The opinion of this majority Is clear;
Is not
The chamber adjourned at midnight.
Opinions Of the Press.
Commenting on the situation the Euclair
today says:
''The moment for reflection has arrived.
Tho vatican offers q solution compatible
with its dignity and duty. The indispensi-
bility Of serious negotiations 10 demon
strated by the vain and wicked Quarrels
which are jeopardixing the national unity"
The Echo de Paris says:
'"The means for pacihcation have been
offered II they are brutaily rejected the
government will inevitably be driven to
persecution
The Figaro says:
1.-The whole world will interpret the
bishops proposition as sincere desire for
conciliation."
IN. Brands words prove that the gov
eminent breads a final rupture. Let 1t ac-
cept an honorable way out OF the difficult
ties"
NJ Jaures, the socialist leader, in his
paper, Humanite, makes the following COM
ment:
"It is skillful maneuver Of the church,
designed to furnish an excuse for suspend
ing public worship upon the pretext that
the necessary guarantees are refused. The
government cannot sign such an abdica-
tion."
Considered an Ultimatum.
The Aurore asserts that the bishops
proposition is an ultimatum, adding:
IF It is accepted, who will guarantee
that the government will not next be sum-
moned to Canossa"
The Radical expresses the hope that Pre-
mier Clemenceau and NJ. BRAND will avoid
the trap and continue the prudent and lib
erai policy which which the republican majority
The Lahtene expresses the opinion that
the bishops proposition is "a new defiance