The New York herald., 1921-11-20

until a new Parliament is elected, two years
hence.
Religiously, Alsace-Lorraine is still
where France was in 1870 and over rs per
cent of the people are Catholics. Nowhere
else in France are they more religious
Taken over by the Germans fifty years ago,
the Church enjoys exactly the same status
as in France under the ConcOrdat. The
clergy, schools and churches are supported
by the public funds. Priests not only visit
the communal schools to give religious in
struction, but If children stay away their
parents can be punished. This now is not
enforced, but nevertheless such a law
exists.
To-day all the power of the Catholic
Church is being exerted to continue this
system in Alsace-Lorraine, different as it
may be from what now prevails in France.
Arrayed against the priests are the ex-
treme Socialists, who point to Joffre's proc
lamation promising religious freedom at
the time of the entry of the French troops
With even 60 per cent. of the workingmen
Catholics, the Church has thus far been
able to hold its own.
When the first elections for Parliament
were held in 1919 all of the newly elected
deputies. including two Jews, took a pledge
to oppose a change. This attitude they
have maintained ever since in Parliament.
Naturally the Ministry takes the position
that it cannot override the wishes of these
elected representatives. yet at the same
time cannot sanction bill admitting AL
sace-Lorraine to its full status as long as
the French law of separation does not
cover It,
Clerical Question Raised
BY People of Provinces
This clerical question is the most deli
cate of ALL NJ Alpapetite admitted to THE
HERALD correspondent. France cannot act
in the matter without the consent of the
Asatian deputies and they are opposed to
any change"
This question reaches into every home
and has ranged the clergy in opposition to
the French administration in much of
what il is trying to accomplish. Take for
instance the introduction of the French
language in the schools The French Gov
ernment has insisted that French shall be
the language of instruction in the pri'
mary schools for all children between the
ages Of and TO- even though German is
now the language in 81 per cent. of the
homes. Whether this was wise policy or
not is an open question.
The Germans permitted the French Ian
suage in about one-fourth of the primary
schools situated near the French frontier.
The French point out that, in contrast to
the Germans, they have prescribed the
teaching of German in the upper schools,
thus recognizing the idea of a double Ian
guage This the Germans absolutely re
fused. In fact. il is notorious that. under
the Germans, French in most of the region
was practically prescribed tongue outside
of the home.
About one-third of the teachers in the
public schools are French imported, to
take the place of the expelled German teach
ers. Many do not know the language of the
children. AS a consequence, the children
are badly taught in many cases, yet one
hears already children playing in French
en- the streets and in time this will all
work out.
But the clergy have not taken kindly to
this change. With German the language
of the congregation and priests as vel
they are fearful that IL ultimately will un
6ermine the church and state. French
officials insist that practically all com
nlaints of the parents are really inspired
by the priests.
n Is the same with the courts. Th'
French have prescribed the use OF German
NV the advocates, yet, unlike the Germans