The New York herald., 1921-09-25

Special Gable to THE NEW YoRK HnRALD.
Copyright, 1921, by THE NEW YoHx HnsALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, Sept. "a.
Religion. not politics. promises to be
the biggest stumbling block in Alsace
and Lorraine, as a result Of the prom
ises made by President Raymond Poin-
care and Marshal Joffre when tho
Thann Valley was occupied early in
the war by French troops. These
French leaders then solemnly assured
the natives of Alsace and Lorraine
that France would respect their tradi-
tional liberties. These liberties are
now being interpreted - undoubtedly
with no small amount Of self-interest
on the part of both Catholic and Prot
estant religious leaders-to include
the maintenance of separate school
systems, wherein religious dogmas. in
one form or another, would be permit
ted, although all the rest OF France
does not permit any ecclesiastical in
reference In the curricula of the
schools. - II. 49,. .s....--
Under the old system In AIsace and
Z Lorraine there was little discord, Cath
Ollie school teacher gradually coming un-
der the Jurisdiction of his or her nearest
priest, while the Protestants were
usually to be found in Protestan. areas
tf.at were distinctly Lutheran.
But since the wholesale evacuation of
the .pro-German elements In the prov
inces the cures are now charged with ex-
crting undue influence on both parents
ond pupils In some districts. 1t was
reported school strikes have been TO-
mented to rcestablish the old methods
and customs, and incidentally to prevent
the employment of married teachers,
which the Catholics consider not in keep
ing with their idea of school as a
branch of the church's confessional sys-
tenn.
Pro-German Teachers Expelled.
The situation in Alsace and Lorraine Is
further complicated by the fact that
1,500 pro-German school teachers were
among the persons expelled from the
provinces. and they have been replaced
by French school teachers OF both sexes.
In great majority OF cases these
French teachers have absolutely refused
TO give any religious instruction to their
pupils, being members of syndicate
groups which take pride in their demo-
questions are given little attention.
In order not to break faith and act
contrary to the promises OF NJ. Poincare
aud Marshal Joffre Catholic districts in
the provinces have been provided with
special religious instructors, tome OF
whom are women. but frequently they
are lay members of Catholic congrega-
tions. They are now being, accused Of
acting as willing tools in, the hands Of
the clergy. r+s
Meanwhile the extreme Protestant
elements in the provinces have insisted
on religious training according to their
views in the schools. However. they
have accepted the situation as Ii now
exists calmly and have not protested
when one of their religious teachers
was forced into daily contact with an
adherent OF another sect.
In some of the schools the cures have
taken advantage of the religious train
ing clause in their school programme
to establish special courses in the
catechism and confessional. which
Protestants there declare is not just
TO their children.
Council Keeps Hands or.
Provincial officials admit that much
annoyance Is caused by this unceasing
conflict of ideas, but they are unable
10 see any way out of the difficulty,
insisting that the attitude of the people
OF Alsace and Lorraine is so determined
after fifty years of German influence
that 1t would be dangerous for them to
Interfere.
Even the Municipal Council in Stras-
bourg, which is declored 20 be repre-
sentative of French interests. refused to
take the responsibility even to recon-
mend that the provincial governments q
suppress the confessioaals In the schools
or decree celibacy on the part of teach
ers. The Municipal Councils of Null
house and Colmar have expressed the
opinion that the public in the provinces
would not accept such sacrifice Of
their historic rights. especially since the
French Government practically ratified
them In 1914. These Councils are urging
that the rest of France shall not get
alarmed over the situation In these
provinces. delaring that II will surely
resolve itself In time. although perhaps
not without serious conflict and a
temporary menace to the allegiance by
Alsace and Lorraine to the insfftutione