The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-17
ARCHBISHOP PAYS FINE


tive Part in the Coming Elections.
Mad Frenchman Puzzles the
Officers of Paris
Paris, April 49, Especial Military ex-
perts here have no doubt that the airship
VIII play an important part in the war
fare of the future. General Lacroix, a
former generalissimo, has just been CIV
ing his views on the subject. He starts
with the principal that alb the valley
of the Rhine will have to be explored
He divides the valley into three sections,
to each of which several airships will be
allotted. The first section will extend
between the Mouse and the Moselle, to-
wards Cologne; the second between the
Moselle and Rhine. toward Strasburg;
and the third between Strasburge and
Basel
The question of tactics will be subordi-
mated to armament and this matter,
the general points out, is being considered
by the committee of the League of Ma
tional Aerial defense at the present mo-
ment. General Lacroix Is not in favor
of the tactics advocated By the unfor-
tunate Captain Ferber, one of the French
aeroplane victims. The captain suggested
that the airship should take UP dominant
position like bird of prey and afterwards
swoop down on its victim. But the gem
eral believes this method presents in
conveniences for the assailant, who more
often than not would fail to deliver his
blow, and afterwards, deprived of gas
and ballast. would not be able to leave
the battlefield
The Aerial league committee is also
studying an aerial torpedo and other in
ventions. with view to making aero
planes the torpedo boats of the aerial
fleet.
A short time ago the archbishop of
Rheims was ordered to pay 500 francs
damages to the Schoolmasters' federation
of the Marine as a result of the pastoral
letter he issued. urging the bishops to
protest against the use of certain books
In the schools. In this letter certain al
legations were made against the school
masters. and the latter, considering them
selves libelled. brought an action against
the prelate, and won the day.
the judgment against him and declared
that 1t was an honor ror priests to suf-
fer in defense of the souls of which they
were the pastors. He considered II to be
their duty as bishops to point out to pa
rents the perils to which the faith of their
children were exposed. 1.-THE word of
God is no longer free in our country"
misinterpreted, our authority despised,
and the acts of our spiritual ministry
discussed by men who are not the Judges
of them. 1t is hard to be condemned
like criminals when we have only the well
fare of the country in view. If one day
the full liberty of teaching should be
the reward of our efforts, struggles and
sufferings, we shall not have purchased
the necessary liberty at too high a price"
The postoffice employees mean to take an
active part in the coming elections. They
will start a campaign aginst those politi-
clans who did not back them up in their
strike, which, as you may remember.
paralyzed the trade of France and serious
ly affected other countries. We get an
idea of the part they intend to play
from the meeting held In the Rue de
Grenelle.
AT this meeting the postal employees
passed a resolution binding themselves to
fight without distinction of party the
deputies who were the shame of the re-
public" They will organize a commit
tee in every constituency, and appeal to
all state servants to take common action.
Every aspirant TO parliamentary honors
will be called upon to pledge himself as
"a partisan In the largest 5ense of lib
erty of opinion for all functionaries." If
this pledge is not given the postal Of
flcials will work against him. M. BRAND,
the premier, who has taken an independ-
nj Sta this matter Is SDpCia11V
singled out. If he refuses to toe the
mark he will have to run the gauntlet of
the postal employees wrath. Even the
women telephonists have threatened to
work against him.
An efficacious counterblast to the mis-
chievous placards issued by the anti
patriots, who acknowledge M. Gustave
Harve as leader, has just been sounded
whose voice Is far too little heard now
adays. M. Bourgeois. who Is one OF the
safe men of France, has sounded a note
of patriotism which should travel far.
In speech delivered at Montmirail he
pointed out that France only found de-
tractors among Frenchmen whose crit
ical spirit was exercised far too readily.
He also showed how, on the other side
of the frontier, among rivals and friends,
homage was rendered to France. Her
powers of recuperation were admired
her wisdom and diplomacy were recog-
nized and the important position she oc-
cupied In the European exchequer was
readily admitted.
M Bourgeois. tracing the progress of
the country since the establishment of
the republic, recalls how France, though
exhausted. annihilated and bleeding,
healed her wounds got back her strength
and reconquered all her prestige. She
was alone without friendship or alliance,
for the vanquished are abandoned; but
today without having compromised peace
or Joined in the hazards of war, she
has restored her fortune; she has made
alliances and friendships. Now she pur-
sues her destiny peacefully, giving to the
world the spectacle of a democracy mis-
tress of herself, laborious and strong.
| In the present temper of certain Sec
lions of politicians, M. Bourgeois speech
| was badly needed. 1t should, and no
doubt will, act as a tonic on those voters
who, on the eve of a general election,
arc not quite certain whether they should
be content with the present regime, OF
| throw in their lot with the revolution
| aries. who desire to disband the army
| and appropriate the capital and resources