Abstract

French Imperialism and the Church

The church-state controversy has revived in France. Since November the Radical Socialists in Parliament have been attacking Poincaré for his advocacy of two articles-70 and 71, which were introduced into the budget through the influence of Foreign Minister. These articles authorize religious missions to re establish headquarters in France and train recruits for foreign missions. Half of the bills included in Articles 70 and 71 have been passed and the others will probably be approved, but the Opposition, which feels that this is an attempt to abrogate the laws of 1901 and 1904 which drove religious orders from France, threatens to carry the question before the public. The Foreign Minister is a staunch anti-Clerical; it was he who drafted the law of 1904, which ended the ownership of property by religious bodies.