New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20
NJ. BRAND TRIUMPHS.
SUSTAINED BY DEPUTIES.
Great Majority Favors Liberal
Policy Tozcard Catholics.

Faris Feb. 10y a majority of sol the
Chamber Of Deputies to-day not only expressed
confidence in the government and authorized it
TO conclude negotiations for the leasing OF
churches 70 parish priests, but It indorsed. with
storms Of applause, a remarkable speech by the
Minister of Education, NJ BRAND in which the
Extreme Left openly rebuked for it's nto-
Grant spirit. The minister said that 1t un-
worthy OF republicans, or even of free thinkers,
not 10 respect the faith of millions of their fol-
low countrymen. The object of separation, ne
said, disest ablshment, not persecution.
Liberty of worship whether Catholic Protestant
Jewish, must be respected. The Catholic
Church not like any other sect. 1t had seen
fit to forfeit churches. seminaHes and rectories
Of which it might now be in possession but this
did not prevent the government from recogniz-
ing the right of Catholics to worship. and the
government therefore intended to keep the
Catholic churches open for Catholics, and for no
one else.
When NJ. BRAND had finished the issue had
been clearly defined. The followers of NJ.
Combes. alone and unsupported. we're over
whelmed
Premier ClemenCeau cut rather sorry figure
to-day. Although he indicated his approval OF
all NJ BRAND said. he did not mount the tribune,
and the leadership of the Church question
plainly has passed to his subordinate.
NJ. BRAND made the point that the law OF
January specifically contemplated contracts
of occupation and that consequently the govern
ment was not exceeding its powers. He took
care not reveal the text Of the contract agreed
upon. thus leaving latitude to give and take
should further obstacles arise. He announced
however, that the government would insert a
clause In these contracts to prevent foreign
priests or members Of religious orders not rec
ognized in France from becoming parties there
4
constrain the mayors who were at liberty TO
make any contracts. provided they were legal
but If they exercised their right 10 refuse con-
tracts the government would be compelled not
only to keep the churches open. but 70 maintain
them at the expense of the commune.
It is agreed tonight all sides that form
ula for the leases will soon be found. and that
the most acute phase of the Church controversy
is at end.
The Cabinet met to-day with President Fall
Heres in the chair and unanimously approved
the agreement reached yesterday between Nj
BRAND and Premier Clemenceau relative to the
form Of the leases Of churches 10 the parish
priests
The Chamber of Deputies was crowded to-day
In anticipation OF stormy session. NJ Meunier.
Radical Republican. the opening Of the de-
bate denied the existence OF a conspiracy to
overthrow the ministry. and said that he merely
expressed the disappointment OF all Republicans
the fact that the government had seen ht
10 give satisfaction 10 the bishops ultimatum."
After an Incorporate denuncation of the gov
ernments policy by NJ. Allard, Socialist. NJ Bri-
and mounted the tribune. The Minister Of Ed
ucatlon. in a brilliant speech, which drew ro-
peated rounds OF applause from the Centre and
even from the Right, maintained that the gov
ernment would not abandon its conciliatory
policy and IN spite OF the intrigues OF its enc
mics the government would fight out the issue
on that line and 70 the end.
II apparent at the close OF NJ Brands
already been won. for Socialist Deputy. who
attempted to renew the criticism OF the govern
nents policy, shouted down.
The Austro- Hungarian Ambassador. Count
KheS enhGIler- -Metsch. acting under instruc-
tions from his government. which in turn is act
ing tho request OF the Vatican authorities, to-
day formally asked the French government TO
place the embassy In possession OF the diplo-
matte documents dated prior TO the rupture OF
relations between France and the Vatican in
1904. which taken by the French authori-
ties at the NunciatuTe when Monsgnor Montag-
mini expelled. The Foreign Minister NJ.
PinchOH, agreed TO do so. ana the transfer Will
lie made this week in the presence of official
OF the Foreign once. The Associated Press IS
authorized to deny statements that the French
government contested the transfer OF the docu-
ments and TO point out that the diplomatic doc
uments We're never removed from the Nuncia-
ture.
The projects have suspended the mayors of
St Brieuc and MOrlaix for permitting cruciixes
removed from the schools. 10 be replaced.