A GREAT FRENCH SCANDAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 989, 2 December 1910, Page 5

A GREAT FRENCH SCANDAL.

• ~* — : —■ . FUNDS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS^ LIQUIDATOR COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. . CHARGES OF FRAUD. Br TelcEraDn-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. December 1, 8.5 p.m.). Paris, December 1. M. Duez, one oi the Government liquidators appointed to take charge 'of tho affairs of tho Teligious orders,'. has been committed for trial on charges of bribery and fraud iu connection with the Religious and' Charitable Board in March last. MM. Clery and Mertin, two agents, wero also, committed for trial. COLOSSAL DEFALCATIONS. " A great stir was caused in Paris in March by the arrest of M. Duez, in connection with a deficit of £200,000 in tho accounts of tho estates' and goods of . congregations ' confiscated under- the Congregations Law, , of which he was formerly administrator. M. Duez, on being taken into custody, mado a complete confession. When tho French Parliament passed tho Congregations Act under M. Combes' administration, expelling the religious orders from Prance, a certain number of official receivers were appointed by the State. M. Duez, one of these, was charged with malversation of funds realised by the sale of churches, monasteries, and convents throughout the country. There is reason to believe (says the "Daily Mail") that the colossal sums embezzled by the receiver considerably exceed the .£200,000 mentioned by him as the ' total of his defalcations with, regard to the religious and judicial trusts in his care. A total of <£400,000 is now mentioned as the extent of his embezzlements only in respect to funds realised by the sale of religious'property.