FRANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8310, 13 December 1906, Page 5

FRANCE.

CHURCH AND'STATE. THE GOVERNMENT FIRM. Received Deoember 12, 9.3 a.m. PARIS, December 11. Interpreting the Pope's action as defiance, M. Clewenceau, the Premier, Hnd M. Eriand, Minister of Publio Worship, declare that they will soon make it clear that even disorder or civil war are unable to make the Church cause triumphant. The Government is determined that clergy who are offioials of foreigners shall not rule France.

PRIESTS IN TROUBLE. MONSIGNOR MONTAGNI EXPELLED FROM FRANCE. Reoeived December 12, 10.46 p.m. PARIS, December 12. M. Briand is preparing a Bill to assimilate refractory priests with men who under the existing law are liable to forfeiture of their French nationality for serving a • foreign Government without authorisation. The public prosecutor has opened an enquiry with regard to the incitationß to rebellion against the law when three priests ;from Paris pulpits, announcing they bad Papal instructions,' introduced their own impassioned commentaries. The judiuial authorities regarded Monsignor Montagni, the Pope's semi official representative since Monsignor Nunoios was re called, as the accomplice of the priests and the Pope's mouthpiece in ignoring the low of 1882. Hence his residence was searched, and documents, including e letter intended for Cardinal Merrydelyal, were seized. An expulsion order was subsequently served on Monsignor Montagni, who was conducted aoross tha frontier last nigh*:. Received December 13, 12.15 a.m. PARIS, December 12. M. Briand is preparing Bills providing for the withdrawal of pensions from clergy convicted of infringing the law; also to abrogate the year's grace regarding the liquidation of public establishments of Catholic worship. M. Briand states, moreover, that 5,500 young eoolesi astios will be summoned to join the army in January unless they produoe certificates from the Public Worship Associations entitling them tu exemption.