Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13
PROCESSION WITHIN WALLS
Catholics Cry Shame" When De-
cision Is Announced.
ASQUITH INTERFERED
Intimated That Celebration Was
Possibly Unlawful and That It
Was Calculated to Provoke
Disorder.

LONDON, September 12.A-The agitation
by the extreme Protestants against the
procession to be held tomorrow in con-
neCtion with the eucharistic congress
has apparently ended with forcing the
governments hand.
The announcement that Premier AsQuith
had interviewed in the matter. and that as
consequence there had been some modi-
fication of arrangements. was made to-
night at a mass meeting in Albert Hall,
where it caused an uproar
The meeting was exclusively for men.
1t was attended by about 10000
AS soon as Cardinal Vannutelli papal
legate. who was accompanied by the usual
brilliant array of cardinals and bishops
took the chair. Archbishop Bourne arose
and said he had a statement to make
! which would be a source of disappoint-
ment and pain.
He had received a communication from
Premier Asquith Thursday. deprecating
Sunday procession and advocating its
abandonment.
Catholics Cry Shame"
This announcement was greeted with
groans and cries of Shame" by the as
sembage.
had replied to Asquith that he could not
act on a private intimation. Thereupon
the premier answered that the communi-
cation was purely confidential and must
not be published.
The archbishop insisted that if a
change in the proposed program was nee
essary Asquith must take the RESPONSE
bility of making a public request. The
premier replied that. in the government s
opinion, 1t would be better in the inter
ests of order and good feeling that the
proposed ceremonial. the legality OF which
was open to question, should not take
place.
There were further cries of shame"
from the audience.
After prolonged interruption Archbishop
Bourne continued, saying he had replied
to the premier that In Difference to
your wish all the elements of an eccles-
iastical ceremonial will be eliminated. The
procession of cardinals and bishops Will
walk in court dress. And we expect the
government to insure our comfort and
courtesy to our honOred guests"
The archbishop added. amid a renewed
uproar. that the ceremonial procession
would be held within the cathedral walls
and that the benediction would be given
to the multitude from the balcony of the
cathedral. He exhorted the people loyalty
to accept the arrangement and behave
with dignity and self-respect.
He himself. a loyal Englishman, felt
it was his duty to conform to the public
ly expressed wishes of the constituted
authorities. But he was not prepared to
submit to the bigoted dictation of the
Protestant alliance.
In conclusion he expressed the hope
that all the people would come to honor
the representative of the holy see.
Though not permitted he said ito
carry our divine master with us, 1 trust
that all present by the fervor of their
singing will make not only of the cathe-
dral. but of the whole Westminster one
great sanctuary of the blessed sacra-
ment."
During the course OF the meeting a
message was read from the pope express
ing the greatest satisfaction at the sue
cessful Inauguration of the congress and
blessing with all his heart the bishops
and clergy no had contributed Ito the
consoling success of this solemn manifes-
tation of Catholic faith among the Eng
Itch