THE following from the Independent will set before our readers a very clear picture of the condition of things in France as between the government and the Vatican:
"Premier Clémenceau has again given proof of his executive ability in successfully carrying out the law providing that inventories be made of all the church property before the complete separation of church and state. A few months ago, and under the former Premier Sarrien, the attempt to inventory the contents of the churches was met by such opposition on the part of devout Catholics, who considered it sacrilege, that the government was obliged to abandon the effort.
There remained 3,605 churches to be inventoried before December 11, the date on which the Separation Law takes effect. All of these have been inventoried within the last week by the use of force in a diplomatic way on the part of the government. No warning was given of the day when the church would be inventoried, so the faithful had no chance to assemble and barricade it as they had done before. The army was used freely. In many cases
two or three hundred soldiers were assigned as a guard to the officers of the law in fulfilling this duty, and little opposition was attempted. Usually the priest entered a formal protest against the invasion of the sacred edifice and the doors were locked, so that it was necessary for the officers to break them in. The act was a mere formality, as most of the movable property of the churches had been sequestrated.
"At Pigin, in the Department of Herault, a new form of resistance was used. Burning sulphur was shoveled into the church from the vestry and the roof, repeatedly driving the soldiers out of the building into the street, where they were attacked by stones and flower-pots thrown by men and women from the neighboring houses. Finally the church was set on fire by the burning sulphur, and when the firemen attempted to put it out, it was found that the water mains were plugged to prevent the use of the hose in dispersing the crowd.
"In various parts of Bombav, mobs of peasants attempted to defend the churches, and had to be dispersed by charges of cavalry, but, as a whole, disorder was very slight compared with that of a few months ago. Less than twenty persons were arrested altogether, and of these only a few sentenced. Two clergymen were imprisoned for three days and a month, respectively, for resisting the officers of the law. Prefects who showed a disinclination to carry out the work of inventorying were removed from office. Captain Magniez, of the Eighth Infantry, who refused to obey orders to carry out inventories, was replaced by a lieutenant, and ordered to appear
before the Council of War for disobedience. Formerly when attempt was made to carry out the law, Catholic officers who had conscientious scruples against obeying these orders were acquitted by the courts-martial of their fellow officers.
"M. Briand has given as his interpretation of the Separation Law that after December 11, 1906, church property could be handed over to the local authorities, but, according to the law, must be given to them after Dec. 11, 1907.
"The Socialists and Radicals on the left of the Chamber have announced strong opposition to the government for this postponement of the strict enforcement of the law. In many places cultural associations have been formed by Catholic priests and laymen in accordance with the law, and these may receive the church buildings in next month.
"The bishops have issued warnings that any persons concerned in the formation of these associations contrary to the will of the pope shall be excommunicated and excluded from the sacraments, and, in the event of death, from burial in holy ground. Cardinal Lecot, Archbishop of Bordeaux, has been forming diocesan associations, as he claims, under the law of 1901, but M. Briand, Minister of Public Worship, declares they are legal cultural associations in the meaning of the law, and, therefore, under the ban of the pope.""
