New Ecclesiastical Bill in Germany.
BERLIN, March 16.—In the Lower House of the Prussian Diet to-day the debate was opened on the first reading of the new Ecclesiastical bill. Dr. Falk, Minister Public Worship, in a speech explaining the necessity for fresh legislation on the relations of the State with the Church, dwelt especially on the fact that the Pope had authorized an Austrian bishop to obey laws similar to those which he denounced in Prussia. The State was not afraid of the encyclical, but considered the matter serious, and would not permit itself to be treated with scorn by the Church. Bismarck made a powerful speech in support of the bill. He said the maxim that more obedience was due to God than to man certainly did not mean that more obedience was due to a Pope misguided by Jesuits than to a King. The Government was doing its duty in protecting German freedom of mind against Rome. The House endorsed the bill in full sitting instead of referring it to a committee.