The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07
PRINTING PRESS
 OF THE A P [. In An Obscure Street on the Bank of the Seine NEGRO KINGS PETITION Rapoutyombo of Gabun Wants French Protection, Retiring Pension and Cross of the Legion
 of Honor.
By PAUL VILLIERS.


 the printing press of the A. P. c. Prob ably very few Frenchmen even could give the title for which these letters stand. It is a story in itself, for the three words, ''Ancens Pretes Catho- liques," cover the desperate struggle for life of priests who have renounced their vows, and the A. P. c. is society where by these outcasts bind themselves to- gether with mutual aid. In the printing establishment is edited and set up the rExode," the organ of the movement, "Hors de Rome" equivalent to the Ger watchword, Los von Rom.' The number of priests who abandon the ex- ercfse of their duties is yearly growing, and they have first of all to seek means of earning their daily o~ead which is not so easy as it might be imagined for men of their talents and education. It is owing to the energy and sef-sacrifice of one of them, M. Hautefeuille that the printing press has been opened in the Rue du Moulin Vert, in order to allow of his colleagues learning honest and paying craft.
 I paid a visit yesterday to M. Haute- feuille, and he gave me the following interesting details concerning his work: '"rhe society of Anciens Pretes Catho- lidues has now been established in Paris, with its headquarters here for nearly three years. Its aim is moral and hu- manitarian in succoring and finding enl- ployment for priests who have left the church. It often happens that at a cer- tain age, sooner or later the mind de- veops either through contact with the world or by study, intelligence, and the senses vibrate to the detriment of dogma and the priest suddenly wakes up face to face with realities
 When one has lost his faith he is like ship without a compass and he has no other course open than to abdicate Often he dares not do this; courage fails him to undertake the battle for life He is immediately brought up by two pri- mary obstacles-the popular prejudice against ex-priests and the imprint which his years of priesthood have left upon him. The prejudice is il-founded for an ex-priest by his edu ation and the principles he- has learned, is in general sober, honest and devoted man. Never theless business man who takes one into his service risks complete boycott from his clerical customers. The work of the A. P. C., which is assisted by many notable personages amongst whom are those who have been priests them selves, has set itself to wipe out this re- grettable prejudice and has succeeded to a very appreciable degree. The ex-priest who applies to us is free in his con science and spiritual aspirations and merely has to work willingly in order to insure his bread and healthy natural life"
 The establishment appeared to consist of two offices, in which are placed a large but old-fashioned printing machine, which he has obtained very cheap on the monthly instalment system, and smaller, good, modern press for lith- ography and photogravure. The paper party is devoted to proving that priests who no longer feel that they have the vocation easily liberate themselves Letters from all parts of France, Italy and Spain are daily received asking for more particulars and how best to ob- tain work In IS months the A. P. c. has placed 250 priests in lay employment, thanks to those who take an interest in this humanitarian task.
 The negro King, Bapoutyombo, who has resigned for many years in the Ga- bun, in West Africa, and is growing old has sent a remarkable petition to the Senate. He wants three thngs-the pro- tection of the French government, re- tiring pension and the cross of the Le- zion of Honor. Commenting on the mon- arch's petition, the Fiagra points out that the sovereign can count on French pro- lection, which, in fact, he already enjoys; he will also doubtless get his little pen sion. As for the cross of the Legion of Honor, however, a member of the gov ernment states that that another mat ter It is suggested that the palms should be given to Rapoutyombo on the ground that this decoration would suit him from the standpoint of local color In Africa.
 The little village of Saint Jean de Bla- quiere, near Montpelier, has been the scene of terrible tragedy. young man named Vincent Gayraud lived on bad terms with his father, and lodged a complaint against him. On being in- formed of the step taken by his son, the father, who is "A years of age.l became very angry and resolved to be revenged. When the sun returned home to dinner last night the old man discharged a gun at him. The shot did little damage, and the son was preparing to attack the old .N man when a shot, fired at arms length, entered his breast and he fell dead. The murderer on seeing his son lying dead at his feet, reloaded his gun and placing the muzzle under his chin fired. Neigh bors now rushed into the house and found the old man sitting on chair with the gun between his legs. He was dead
 Since the medical faculty has pre- scribed walking for women patients suf- ferng from languishing malades and neurasthenis, the Bos de Boulogne is now crowded of morning with smartly dressed women walking along the alleys at brisk pace. They have adopted spe- c1al costumes for the exercise. The large hats are discarded and tailor-made costumes with rather short skirts are the mode. The fashionable hour of prome- made Is from 10 to ii. In some cases waistcoats are worn with the Jackets; the walstcoats are furnished with white buttons those on the jackets are gray. The flower pot hat has made it's appear ance. It Is ripped with strip of steel. and there is white plumage at the side A fur of white fox, witf, a huff to match. formed like a cushion, and chamois boots and gloves complete the new walk ing toilet.
 The Toulon police having learned that the doorkeeper of a cafe was sunnIving customers with opium, the man uas questioned and confessed that a sbon. keeper furnished him with the drng The shopkeeper's premises were raided I and numerous pots of opium were seized The names of several naval officers a dozen women of the ''half world, and several young men who regularly smoke opium have been taken. The names of the officers have been communicated to the maritime prefect, the commanderdn- chef of the squardon and the minister of foxx