The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-14
cathoIlc. ClaIn, Mistreatment.

LOndOn, Sept. l3---ArcnOlSnOp bVuTHe has sent to the newspapers a copy of the correspondence which preceded the change in the plans for the Cath ollie procession. from which 1t appears that Premier Asquith sent to the church on Thursday morning the first intimation of his wish that the cere- mony of carrying the host through the streets of London should be aban- doned.
 Archbishop Bourne. in reply. sent to the Premier long statement of his views, protesting against changing the plans at the last moment. In his com munication the Archbishop declined to accede to the Premier's request un- less the latter accepted full responsi- biiity He pointed out at the same time, that a similar procession had taken place in many parts of England without hindrance. and he would. un- der no circumstances. agree to an arr rangement that would place Catholics in the position of being tolerated under certain conditions. The Archbishop, in conclusion. said:
 Are you prepared. at this last nao- ment, when special trains have been ordered from the provinces. thousands of poor people having paid their fares to come to London, when the press of the whole world Is watching this Con-
 
 self, but the Catholic Bishops of the whole Empire and make us avow be- fore our colleagues of the United States and every quarter of the globe. that the hospitality of the capital of the empire is not what they supposed 1t to be, and that your ministry Is un- able to face the threats of few fanatical personsT"
 On Saturday. Home Secretary Glad stone wrote from Scott and to Arch bishop Bourne. supporting Premier Asqutth's request, but at the same time admitting that he did not think any reasonable person could object to such a procession.
 From that on. the negotiations were continued through an ofieiaI of the Home Secretary's ofics, and when the matter was settled. both Mr. Asquith and Mir. Gladstone. whose oommunica- tions were couched in most courteous terms, expressed their personal thanks to Archbtsh op Bourne, assuring him that every precaution would be taken to protect the procession from insult or annoyance.
 It is evident. however. that the Cath oltcs consider that they have been badly treated. Father Sprankling, ad- ministrator of St. Georges Catholic Cathedral, yesterday referred to Pre- mier Asquith's action as one that would go down to posterity as an insult to millions of Catholics. Cardinal Vannutelli. in an interview after the procession. said.
 "It has been an admiral affirmation of faith and sympathy which will not easily be forgotten by those who witt messed 1t. The demonstrations of sympathy came spontaneously and were well accepted by all non-Catho- lies, who, by their demeanor, pro- tested against the attempts, artihcally consented to ferment hostility against our union. If those who solicited and obeyed the prohibition to the carrying of the sacrament intended to inspire the faithful with greater enthusiasm, they can boast they succeeded, even beyond their expectations.
 The London morning papers in their editorials, take the line in most cases of careful avoidance of anything cal- culated to fan the flame of religious controversy, and they consider "alPs well that ends well.''
 Nor is there any attempt to make political capital out of any incident be- yond some expressions of regret at the delay in making the Governm ent's views known. Several of the papers frankly call for the repeal of the ob- solete laws which caused the trouble. and strongly deprecate the fanaticai attitude of the Protestant societies.