The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-09
FRENCH ELECTIONS
ARE NEAR At HAND
Attack of Catholic Church on Public
School System May Be
An Issue.

PARIS, Feb. 9.-Through manifest
ing more than usual interest In the
political struggle in England, the
French people seem scarcely 10 be
aware that the period OF their own
general elections. which are 10 deter
mine much that is OF importance in
future legislation. is fast approaching.
Two events that should focaliZe their
attention. however, on live issue OF
the day have been in progress re-
Gently.
One is the debate In the Chambers
on that portion OF the budget relating
ID public education: the other is a
tIial of the suit brought at Rheims
ly TWO associations OF teachers and
partisans of lay schools against Card
nal Lucon. one of the archbishops OF
france and follower OF Mgr Richard
Of Auch, who last autumn signed a
collective pastoral letter in condemna-
ton in large part OF the curriculum
prescribed by governmental authority
FOR the schools This letter en-
prasized the reopening of hostlities
by the church against the secularized
system OF education throughout
France.
cIericals ara Active.
For months past the tactics of the
olericals have been directed to the
lallying OF public sentiment 10 their
side of the question. Prelates, priests,
and jealous laymen I'm every depart.
mcnt of France hayep romoted
growing agitation. which has somo-
times led to a defiance OF the author
ity OF the schcolmasters-sca ndalous
scenes I'm the classes brutal Interior.
cnce by parents with the procedure OF
the schools and public burning Of
liberal textbooks Parents and priests
have prompted the children them
selves 10 assume the attitude OF
rebels.
The authors OF the textbooks which
the clergy have rabOoed, backed i'm
an organized mass by teachers and
the partisans OF the lay schools, are
seeking redress under the civil code.
and other suits besides that against
Cardinal Lucon are pending
A conspicuous fact OF the situation
is the apparent Indifference with
which 1t Is viewed by the French pub
lie as a-Whule The Clericals are ac-
cused OF having confdentially count.
ell on the bubbling up OF angry pas
been logged with luglfbriously
prophetic air into many discussions.
Said a radical senator
The reactionary zeal may have
rendered one genuine service 10 man
kind at this late day If II proves 10
prejudiced culture that a religious
war In our western world is no longer
possible
In ha 4 - 81 az
sci for the plaintiffs in the court at
Rheims ii was set forth with unmiti-
gated badness that the collective let
ter OF the archbishops, which pro-
duced So much perturbation in gov
eminent circles was originally writ
ten In a much more moderate spirit
SO much so. in fact that II was dis
pleasing to the encourage OF the pope
NJ Rome. 4 second and then a third
draft was celebrated at the Vatican
according 10 this statement. and the
hierarchy was committed TO the last
OF these by it's premature pubica-
ton before il had been fully accepted
The original draft demanded mere
~ a genuine scholastic neutrality as
between the orthodox and unorthodoX
versions Of history in accordance with
the declaration Of French bishops in
September. 1908. in which the right
Of the state in the matter Of instruc-
ton had been recognized. The final
draft condemns scholastic neutrality
in principle and demands that Catho-
lie children in lay schools shall be
taught only in a manner meeting with
the approval of parents guided by the
counsels OF the clergy
The ultimate issue before the cham
Der and the country is whether
scholastic neutrality is really prac-
ticable or a mere theory TO be inter
preted according TO the penchant OF
the party in power. One curious fact
stands forth distinctly. Not only the