CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 7

CATHOLIC CONGRESS.

THE PROCESSION. DID MR. ASQUITH BLUNDER? GREAT INDIGNATION. [DY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION* —COP Yn I GUT.) (Rec. September 14, 11.45 p.m.) London ( September 14. In connection with tho decision to eliminate, as far as the streets are concerned, the ceromonial part of the Procession of tho Host, it is explained that tho Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, sent to tho Archbishop of Westminster, Dr. Bourne, a confidential expression of opinion that the procession, which ho deprecated, ought to bo abandoned. Tho "Daily Chronicle" remarks that Mr. Asquith wished to give the Congress an opportunity to decide as if it wero acting spontaneously. The "Chronicle" is not convinced that any Government action was necessary, and upholds the principles of liberty and toleration. The "Daily Mail," "Daily News," and "Standard" think that a possible insult to tho Host has been averted by means of the decision arrived at. The "Daily Telegraph" condemns the Government's weakness, irresolution, susceptibility to pressure, and readiness to make concessions to the clamour of a few extremists. The result will be to needlessly excito animosities. Mr. Asquith endeavoured to induce Archbishop Bonrue to act as if ho (the Archbishop) had changed his mind and had quailed before the objection of the Protestant Alliance. Mr. Asquith would in that case have saved his face and would have averted the Roman Catholics' disappointment to their own hierarchy's timid surrender. The affair has been stupidly mishandled. EFFECT ON BY-ELECTION. DEMAND FOR RELIGIOUS EQUALITY.' (Rec. September 15, 0.10 a.m.) London, September 14. "The Times" congratulates the promoters of the procession on their good sense in changing the programme,' and says: "The Government blundered conspicuously. It ought to have interfered earlier or not at all. Why should it attempt to stipulate, secrecy? Tho imminenco of the Newcastle by-election explains much, but not the tactlessness and tardiness of the Government's intervention." "The Times," with several other newspapers, holds that it is high time to put all religious denominations on an equality if they conform to tho police regulations. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" Newcastle correspondent states that 4000 Irish electors are deeply incensed owing to Mr. Asquith's interference. THE ANNOUNCEMENT. HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. (bt telegraph—peess association—coptriget.) London, September 13. Catholics were intensely disappointed at the alteration made in connection with the procession. Many special trains had been arranged from all parts of,tho country. Archbishop Bourne announced the alterations in the procession at a mass meeting in the Albert Hall. The announcement was made amid a storm of howls and hissing. The Archbishop added that, though it would bo impossible to carry with them their Divine Master, he trusted that tho Catholics would mako not only the cathedral, but the whole of Westminster, one groat sanctuary of tho Blessed Sacrament. Fifteen thousand children mot on Victoria Embankment, and marched to the cathedral to receive tho blessing of the Papal Legate (Cardinal Vannutelli). PROCESSION IN BUDAPEST. RIOTS AND ARRESTS. Rec. September 14, 9.51 p.m.} Vienna, Sep.tember 14. During a Eucharistic procession at ■ Budapest, Socialists created a disturbance. The rioters attacked tho police, who drew their swords. Forty of the rioters were arrested. A LIBERAL MINISTER. UNABLE TO ATTEND THE CONGRESS. (Rec. September 14,' 11.45 p.m.) London, September 14. It is announced that the Marquess of Ripon (Lord Privy Seal in .the present Government) was detained at his county seat by a slight attack of rheumatism, and was thus unable to attend the Eucharistic Congress. The Marquess of Ripon is nearly 81 years of age. It was in 1874 that the Freemasons of England were staggered by the thunderbolt news that their Grand Master had resigned, and was converted to the Church of Rome. When tho Liberal Education Bill came down, somo people were surprised that Lord Ripon remained in the Cabinet. Ho has over a period of years filled with honour some of tho highest Cabinet posts in Liberal Governments, and from 1880 to 1884 was a successful Viceroy of India.