FRENCH CHURCH MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8044, 3 February 1906, Page 2

FRENCH CHURCH MATTERS.

I'akih, February 1. Government oflicials taking inventories of the ecclesiastical furniture and ornaments of the l'aris churches have been subjected to violent interference, A crowd hustled the olhcials out of one church. THE FRENCH PREMIER ON THE MATTER. THE LAW TO BE UPHELD. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT. Received 2,11.40 p.ui. Pauis, February 2, M. Rouvier, Premier, in the Cham, ber, emphasised the Government's moderation m taking inventories, which was done in accordance with tlio terms of the law for the separation of the Church from the State. He said that it was impossible to foresee the present resistance and (lis. turbances, whoso objects, he said, were political, but the groat body of Catho lies must not be confused with the agitators The law would be firmly upheld and enforced.

A vote of confidence in tho Govern, ment was carried by 381 votes to 186. HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS. TROOPS AND PEOPLE IN CONFLICT. Received 2,10.21 p.m. Pahis, February 2. A riot occurred in the fashionable ehurcli of Saint Eclotildo in Paris. The demonstrators inside included Due Chartrcs, In a faction fight outside, an official was flung down the steps, whereupon M. Lepine, Prefect of Police, brought a company of Republican Guards. Lepine was dragged inside, but was rescued by a few Guards. The doors were then slammed in his faeo and tho iron gates shut. . The troops broke in, using the butts of their rifles on the demonstrators, who used sticks. Driven into a cornor they sang a hymn. Several women were trampled upon and every window smashed, the floor being littered with missies. The inventory was then taken. A hundred and fifty arrests were made. Thirty demonstrators and fifty policemen and guards were injured. Similar incidents are taking place in tho Proviuces.