It is stated, with some authority, that the French Cabinet
is determined to go on with its prosecutions of Bishops, and that it has informally warned the Church that unless the Epis- copate becomes more favourable to the Republic, the Govern- ment will " cease to resist " the demand for a separation of Church and State. That is probably a mere threat, French statesmen always discovering that a free Church in France is practically impossible, owing to the determination of all French parties to control all corporations. They must rule even Jewish congregations. To secure a right to rule, the State must pay, and therefore it will continue to pay. The tone of the Cabinet on the subject, however, greatly irritates the Right, and it is probable that the adhesion of moderate Con- servatives to the Republic, which would give stability to all its institutions, the Cabinet included, will be greatly delayed. The Bishops in opposition are quite jubilant, and seem to enjoy setting the Minister of Justice at defiance. on trifles.
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