The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-11
BRAND S DOWNFA ALL
THE LATE PREMIER OF FRANCE
WAS FORCED TO RESIGN.

messed the downfall OF ArtStIde BRAND,
Prime Minister of France, and his cabi-
net. The religious policy of the min
istry had been the subject of discus
sion for some days in the Chamber of
Deputies. Complaint was made that
the laws against the religious associa-
tions were not being enforced; and it
was practically charged that evasions
of the law were being winked at.
President Fallieres rendered the
Prime Ministership to Antoine Monis,
who accepted, and, after some delay,
succeeded in forming new ministry,
In view of these changes the following
communication which we have receiv-
ed from a well-informed correspondent
sheds light on the causes which led
to the overthrow of the BRAND min
istry. He says:
Public worship in France was until
late years looked after by a special
Minister of the Cabinet; it is now
terial portfolios. Aristide BRAND was
"in charge" of this supplementary port
folio in the long Clemenceau ministry,
and prepared the famous and iniquit-
our Spoliation and Association Laws.
In July, 1909, he succeeded Clemen-
ceau at the head of the Government,
and retained the portfolio of Public
Worship, to finish the work he had
begun.
Whenever the representatives of the
French people in the Chamber of Depu-
ties show by their interpretations"
that they are dissatisfied with the pol
icies of the Cabinet, it is customary
for the Premier to put the question of
confidence" and call for formal vote
of approval or disapproval.
Well, after having for years been the
tool of the Masonic prosecutors of the
Church in France, BRAND saw himself
taxed with ''laxity in the carrying out
of the Laws against Religion" Thus
had Jared before him Waldeck-Rou
seau, who began the persecution
against the religious orders ten years
ago, and Clemenceau, Brands imme-
diate predecessor They also had de-
| lighted the Masonic lodges in the be-
ginning of their administrations, but
when their anti-religious zeal no longer
kept pace with the rabid instincts of
the anti-Catholic Deputies, they were
by them called 'clericals," to the utter
astonishment of outsiders, and dis
charged.
BRAND declared last week that he
was disguised, and tired of it all"
and put the question of confidence"
He was given a majority of but Is
votes out of $50, which meant disap-
proyal A conference of the Ministers
| followed and it was decided that the
members of the Cabinet would tender
their designations after the funeral of
the Minister of War, who had died
suddenly. This has effectively been
done, and President Fallieres has ac-
cepted the designations.
! The downfall of the BRAND Ministry
is of great interest to Catholics, mas
much as it indicates how much head
way the Church has made in her war
against Masonry in France.
If BRAND became LAX in carrying
out the Laws against Religion" it is
because he saw that the task had be-
come difficult and impolitic.
When the persecution began, some
ten or twelve years ago, it was said on
all sides that until the Bishops would
be thrown into prison, there would be
no stemming of the tide. Now Bishops
and Cardinals have been indicted and
condemned, and Catholic France is
finally believing that persecution is
going on. These words may seem
strange, but they contain the key to
the situation.
| The number of Bishops appointed on
their merits, and not in consideration of
the patronage of the Government, has
been considerable since the rupture"
of the Concordat; and these Bishops
detrimental to the innocence of chill
dren, have been condemned, although
they had been approved Of by the Gov
ernment. Newspapers, openly attack
| ing the Church, have been forbidden
to Catholics Hence the above men,
toned indictments and condemnations.
But the Bishops, nothing daunted, are
CACAI dpOSLOA1G uulSSiOA Will
apostolic liberty and courage. What
can the Government do? Indict the
Bishops zen masse?" This would un-
questionably be very impolitic move.
What then? Close its eyes? That is
what BRAND thought wise to do and
it has been his downfall-''lax in car
rying out the laws"
The situation is interesting and mo-
mentous On both sides the leaders
are conscious of the fact that the
moment for pitched battle has come.
Who will be the next leader Of the
Masonic forces? No prominent one is
in sight. 1t Is to be hoped that he will
be a servile executive of the Grand
Orient, ready to double the persecu-
ton; for that will bring the final tri-
umph Of Holy Church SO much the
nearer