FRANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7956, 3 February 1906, Page 5

FRANCE.

STATE V. CHURCH

OFFICIALS HUSTLED.

PARIS, February 1

The Government officials, while taking inventories of the ecclesiastical furniture and ornaments in the Paris churches, wore subjected to violent interferences. The crowd hustled the officials out of the buildings.

Received February 2, 9.25 p.m PARIS, February 2

M., Rouvier, in the Chamber of Deputies, emphasised the Government's moderation in taking the inventories in accordance with the terms of the law for the separation of church and State, and said that it was impossible to foresee the present resistance and disturbances, the objects of whiob were political, but the great body of the Catholics must not be confused with the agitators. The la.v woald be firmly upheld and enforced. A vote of oonfidenCH in the Government was carried by 384 votes to 186.

SERIOUS DISTURBANCES.

ENFORCING THE LAW,

Received February 2, 10.24 p.m. PARIS, February 2.

At a riot in the fashionable Church of Saint Eolotilde, Paris, the demonstrators inside included the Duo de Ohartres. Faction iigbts occurred outside, and an official waa flung down the steps, whereupon M. Le pine, Prefect of the Police, brought a company of Republican Guards on the scene. M. Lepine was dragged inside, but was rescued by a few of the foremost Guards. The doors were slammed in his face, and the iron gates were shut. The troops broke in by using the butts of their rifles. The demonstrators, who used sticks, were driven into a corner, where they sang a hymn. Several women were trampled upon, and every window was smashed. The floor was littered with 'missiles. The inventory was then taken, and 150 arrests were made. Thirty demonstrators, and 50 polioemen and Guards were injured. Similar incidents ocourred in the provinces.