ROMAN CATHOLICS AND THE OATH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 7

ROMAN CATHOLICS AND THE OATH.

THE WORDS OBJECTED TO. MR. ASQUITH NDW ASKED TO REMOVE THEM. (By Tclojranh—Press Association.) (Rcc. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) i London, May 9. Mr. Wm. Redmond (Irish Nationalist M.P. and brother of the Leader of' tho Redmondite Nationalists) has written* to the Prime Minister, Sir. Asq'uith, reminding him of tho debate (cabled on May 15 last year) on the-Bill introduced iii the House of Commons by Mr. Redmond to remove Roman Catholic disabilities. Mr. Redmond recalls the strong view then expressed by the Prime Minister, and supported in all quarters of tho House, ill favour of removing from tho King's declaration (in taking the Accession Oath) words that are,offensive - ' to Roman Catholics. '• - The writer now- asks the 'Prime- Minister to take steps to havo these words removed from the declaration before the new King takes tho Oath. THE WORDS OBJECTED TO. The Bill' introduced in the Hon?* of Com,mon« last yenr by lII'. William Redmond (Notionalist ltieinber for East Clare) for the removal of Roman Catholic disabilities was. on ifaj* 15. read a second time in the Hottso by 133 votes -to .123. . The Bill was then sent to a committee of tho whole Souse, which meant shelving if. . ; . The Prime Minister, Air. 'Asqnith,'" in his speech, approved of the openins of the Lord Chancellorshin and tho Viceroyalty of Ireland to I?fttuon Catholics, lie said the Accession Declaration was the flimsiest and most unnecessary safe'Eimrd. Mr Asfjuith suggested the appointment of a committee to find a form of declarntjrtn that, wonlo ho' inofiensiva to any religions susceptibilities. TJ>* Accession Oath, which was taken by Kin? E'Kvard. states that:—"l; Ed-, wj>rd, do solemnly . . . declare (hat I do believe ihtit in 'he Sacrament of the Lord's Simper there is not atiy trausubstanintion of the elements of bread and wine into the body mid blood of Christ.

. . . am l Hint th« invocation or adoration of the Virgin Mary, or ai>y other'saint, and tha 'sacrifice of the Mass," a? they are mm nf<?.d ill. the Church of Home, or' 1 superstitious am' idolatrous," ■ A revised fnrm Of the Oath was stig- . pelted son\G [imr> ago by a Select CommiMwi of the House of Lotds. This simplv required the Kin? to declare his disbelief in transnbstant.iation and the invocation of saints without the use of ; the words " superstitions mid idolatrous." The declaration that the, words . of the Oath nro Used without eciuivoca- ;... tion, mental, reservation, ',or dispensatiou granted 'by the Fopo is also dropped. The' revised foi'm was, however, so much'criticised that it was with* drnwn. t.hnui?li it had received the as "■lit Of tlie then Archbishop of Cantep bury. ; , Lord Brnye asked in tUo House ot Lords ill December, 190S, if the Government would introduce a Bill to abolish •flint part of the Sovereign's Accession Declaration with the words "superstitious and idolatrous" which is obiect- v ionable to Boinnii Catholics. Lord Crewe, while depveeatinsr present discussion, said that the Government had been considering the matter. "I h6p« it may be possible for the Government, before very long, to submit some proposals." The Dftkfr of Norfolk, tho foremost Roman Catholic Peer, was grateful to. the Government. "I hapo they will see their way to let the matter' take, practical form early nest session." Lord Xuinsdowno said lie. Was glad that', the, Government. were trying to find a solution 'acceptable to both sides. There was a protest from Lord Kinnnird. "You are altering the law of tho country and the Church. I hops vnur lordships will not go away with the impression that any such proposal will be quietly acquiesced in throughout tho country." PROCLAMATIONS. SALUTES BY TWO FLAGSHIPS. (Rec. May 9, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, May 9. King Georgo was proclaimed King at Melbourne arid Adclaido to-day. At Melbourne the proclamation was by Gazette, Lord Dudley (Governor-Gen-eral) being too unwell, to make tha proclamation in person. At Adelaide, tho State Governor, Admiral Sir Day Bosanquct, mado the proclamation from Parliament House. For some unexplained reason, th« proclamation will not bo made in Syd- , noy till to-iuorrow. At Perth, H.M.S. Powerful, tho Australian flagship, fired 69 minute guns ' for the dead monarch, arid then saluted tho new Kins. 'Hie .Japanese flagship carried, out the sumo procedure after the Powerful. (Rec. May 10, 0.25 a.m.) The State Premier, Mr. Wade, explains that instructions with regard to the Proclamation were, not received in Sydney till this afternoou. DEATH-ROOM SCENE. (Rec. May 10, 0.25 a.m.) London, May 9. The Royal Family entered tho death chamber and gazed on the features of the late King. Queen Alexandra chose two of her favourite livens for the service—"On

tho Resurrection Morning" and "Peace, t , Perfect Peace." ■: -The quietude and silence of tho enormous throngs at Buckingham Palace' throughout yesterday were truly memi orable, aud the same reverent manifestations of respect and confidenco Were : niado when the Sovereigns drove from ; Marlborough House to attend tho prir vate: service in-tho Chapel before the service Canon Sheppard officiated.. ALLEGED INSJLT TO THE I- DEAD. | BY CERMAN SAILORS IN SYDNEY. MOCKERY AND LIVELY TUNES. SAILORS INJURED: A POLICE RESCUE. (Rec. May 9, 10.50 p.m.) , - Sydney, May 9. According to police reports, a disgraceful sceno occurred at Surry Hills, ■ a- Sydney suburb, late on Saturday night. , Twenty-five German sailors marched through the street led by three men, [ one with a half-muffled drum, another with a concertina, and a third dressed as a woman. The remainder of the !■ Germans wero fantastically draped with crepe. They commenced to play lively airs, and the crowd quickly sized up the j grotesque proceedings as an insult to the dead King. A melee ensued, and was conducted with ferocity. Bottles were used as clubs, and stones' were thrown. : i .. Nearly every one of the sailors was r more or less injured, and the musical instruments were -battered to pieces , The police rescued tho sailors 'with difficulty. The one who was dressed as a woman was fined for drunkenness.