THEIR MISTAKE IN THE DREYFUS AFFAIR

The course pursued by the French Catholics whilst the Dreyfus affair was before the public is not the only subject upon which M. Cliaine finds fault with their action. In his comments he touches upon quite a number of questions. For instance, he states that in many parts of France the priests and monks do not enjoy the good-will of the people. Their unpopularity is not deserved, but it cannot be denied. In the country and in the cities alike the

ciergy are held in suspicion, and however good and hardworking a parislî priest may be, he inspires distrust when he busies himself with local matters. The antipatny of the working class tt>wards him is ail the more notable l>ecause of fifty thousand diocesan priests no less than forty-five thousand corne from the ranks of the people. Does not the dislike, asks M. Chaîne, arise to a considérable extent from their want of readiness in rallying to the third Republic ? Why not acknowledge that the ciergy as a body openly manifested regret at the fall of the Empire and hopes of a Royalist restoration ? No doubt the priest has strong ground for dissatisfaction with the présent régime. When he comes out of collège and takes up missionary work he receives a very small stipend. He occupies an isolated position, and in the discharge of his duties he is met by difficulties at every hand. Every day he is harassed — now by the prefect and now by the press. He has to bear up under constant privations. He is the friend of the poor, but noble and well-to-do familles who cling to traditions and old causes are amongst his best supporters. M. Chaîne is not surprised if, under the circumstances, the ciergy are somewhat discontented with the Republic. Rut he would hâve them bear in mind, for the welfare of religion, that it is worse than useless to object to Parliamentary Government. They should also, he urges, recognize that the Ministry and the leading Parliamentarians perceive with Le Play that ail people penetrated by a firm belief in God and in a future hfe hâve always risen above others by virtue and talent as well as by power and riches. C&tholics should not entertain the opinion that the Président of the Republic is to be reproached for the character of the Cabinet. That is really determined by the votes of the electors. On the day when the electors shall send a majority of Catholic Deputies to the Palais Rourbon the Président of the Republic will be compelled to place in charge of publics affairs a Cabinet composed of Catholics. As to the interests of the tôliers, M. Chaîne thinks the French ciergy hâve been too timid in their defence. It is true that of late the workers may in some cases hâve abused that terrible weapon, the strike. Rut combinations amongst the toiling classes and even strikes in certain extremities are, he contends, necessary, for without such checks big companies and the conductors of great

industries would at times treat their employés very unjustly. Again M. Chaine condemns the tactics adopted by Catholics who hâve been professing the creed of Nationahsm. It is, he points out, natural for ail men to love their country, but it is a serions blunder to couvert patriotic feeling into a narrow and puérile cuit. The Catholic religion, being above country and nationality, should not be brought dov^'u in the political arena.

The criticism of M. Chaine is on the whole sane, and it will probably benefit the Catholic cause. He has taken stock of what other Catholics hâve done for the promotion of progress, and he is anxious that his French coreligionists should be practical in their ideas and, so far as strict adhérence to CathoKc doctrine will permit, in harmony with the spirit of the âge. Whilst admitting the excellence of M. Chaine 's motives and liis ability in setting forth the ideas he has so much at heart, we should be glad to see him insisting more vigorously on the importance of Catholic self-defence. When the German Catholics were persecuted they secured justice by organizing their forces. French Catholics must do likewise if they are also to succeed in obtaining justice. When they ar? well organized it will be of advantage to them to give heed to M. Chaine's advice and suggestions.

L'Avenir de l'Orne (Alençon), 5 juin 1904.