The San Francisco call., 1908-09-13
PREMIER OPPOSES
CHURCHPROCESSION
Religious Ceremonial in COnnec=
tion With Eucharistic Com
gress Checked by Asquith
Present Catholic Gathering the
Largest to Be Held in England
Since the Reformation

LONDON, Sept. 12-The agitation by
the extreme Protestants against the
PROCESSION to be held tomorrow in con-
nection with the eucharastic congress
has apparently ended with forcing the
governments hand. The announce
ment that Premier Asquith had inter
vened in the matter and that as a
consequence there had been some modi-
1cafion Of arrangements was made TO-
night at a mass meeting IN ALBERT nan
As soon as Cardinal Nannutelil. the
papal legate who was accompanied by
the brilliant array Of cardinals ana
bishops. took the chair, Archbishop
Bourne arose and said that he had
statement to make which would be
source or disappointment and pain He
had received a. communication from
Premier Asquith on Thursday, depre-
eating Sundays procession and adVo-
eating its abandonment. This announce
ment was greeted with groans and cries
OF shame" by the assemblage.
Archbishop Bourne continued that ne
had replied to Asquith that he could
not act on a private intimation, where
upon the premier answered that the
communication was purely confidential
and must not be published. The arch
bishop insisted that il a change in the
proposed program was necessary As
quith must take the responsibility OF
making a public request.
BANS CEREMONIAL
The ex-premier replied that in the
governments opinion it would be bet
ter in The interest of order and good
feeling that the proposed ceremonial,
the legality of which was open to ques-
ton, should not take place.
There We're further cries Of shame"
and after a prolonged interruption
that he had replied to the premier that
'in Difference to your wishes all the
elements of an ecclesiastical ceremonial
viii be eliminated. The procession of
cardinals and bishops viii walk in
court dress. and we expect the govern
ment to insure comfort and courtesy to
our hOnOred guests"
The archbishop added amid q 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 ar
rangement and behave with dignity and
self-respect
A message was read from the pope
expressing the greatest satisfaction at
the successful Inauguration Of the con-
gress and blessing with all his heart
the bishops and clergy who had con-
tributed ito the cOnsoling success of
this solemn manifestation Of Catholic
faith among the English people"
Before the eucharistic congress met
IL inspired very little attention in Eng
land outside Of Catholic circles. Few
realized that it was TO be the largest
meeting of Roman Catholics in Great
Britain since the reformation. If moth
ing else served to impress these facts
upon the public it would be the great
IN the neighbOrhOOd of Westminster
cathedral since the services began and
the number of foreign priests seen,
everywhere about the city.
RELIGIOUS FEELING CAUSED
Besides the clergy there are many
OF the Catholic laity here. citizens
OF France being in the majority A
most unforeseen result of the congress
IS the religious feeling IL has caused
Judging from the number of letters
which have poured into the newspaper
Offices from Protestants considerable
feeling exists among certain number
Of members of the established church
that the church of Rome should have
chosen London for such a meeting
They apparently regard it as a move
on the part of Rome toward the con-
version OF the English. On the other
hand. many Protestants write urging
exhibition of English liberty and toll
Grafton
All the newspapers discuss the ques-
tiOns that have arisen because of the
congress The Spectator today says:
1t is impossible to deny that this
assemblage Of the princes of the church
and the lesser members of the Roman
hierarchy from all parts of the world
bears the appearance of a demonstra-
tiOu and almost of a challenge. which
eXcites apprehension ins respectable
quarters and has given rise to regretta-
bic effUsions Of bigotry in others. An
upfOunded idea has been disseminated
that the congress is a move in the
campai gn for the retoration of the tenn
poral power of the papacy and the re-
establishment of direct relations with
the Vatican"
II is certain that a great multitude
will be on the streets during tomor-
rows procession. and the police have
made preparations to deal with the
situation. Today nearly 10000 pupils
of the Catholic schools of London gath
cred on the Thames embankment and
marched under the banners of the vari-
Gus societies to the house of the arch
bishop of Westminster, from a balcony
of which they were reviewed by the
archbishop and Cardinal Vanutelii