In the French Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, M. Briand
made an eloquent and statesmanlike speech on the Separation Law. It proved that the differences in the Cabinet, which were far more personal than political, have been settled, and that the Government will do all that is possible to help the French Bishops to cease injuring their own cause. Little doubt exists now as to the wishes of the Bishops themselves, but the Vatican may yet raise some objections. Even these, it is clear, will be considered with patience, for the Govern- ment will refuse absolutely to close the churches, and thus commit the fatal blunder of seeming to make martyrs. The Roman Catholic Church, as M. Briand pointed out, is already badly enough beaten in her misguided struggle with the Republic. The present negotiations are for leasing churches for eighteen years; but if the Church had accepted the law as it originally stood, she would now have the right of possessing an unlimited treasury ; she would own the patrimony of religious buildings and much uncontested property in two thousand churches, two thousand five hundred presbyteries, and many seminaries; twenty thousand priests would com- mand pensions for eight years, and priests would not be called to serve in the Army. All these advantages have been lost. M. Briand had indeed a strong case for mercy to set up against the sharpshooters, as he called them, of his, own party. The vote of confidence in the Government was carried by 384 votes-to 33.
