The Premier, his Deputies, and the Country. The elections which formed the "Block" in 1902, gave a majority of 200,000. A short time ago, forty deputies separated from M. Combes, leaving him now only 279 followers, who were elected two years ago by 2,434,667 voters. The figures are given by the Republique Française. The 277 deputies who have condemned the official system of spying represent 2,510,358 electors. M. Combes had only a majority of two in the vote in the Chamber, and he was supported by six Ministers and one sub-secretary of State. He therefore represents only a minority of the French electors-a minority of about 80,000 votes. The Premier has been forced to accept the reduction of the Secret Funds," and he had but one vote of a majority to suppress the employment of the Sisters in female penitentiaries. For this laicisation, 55,000 francs were voted by the Chamber. The funds for the embassy to the Vatican were suppressed without a vote.

M. Delcassé on the Eastern Schools. In reply to a Socialist proposition to refuse all aid to the French religious schools in the Orient, M. Delcassé said that lay and republican schools, which are few, had received a great part of the money, but had shown poor results, the religious schools having beaten them in the race. Schools opposed to French interests would be only too glad to get the 80,000 in the religious schools-the lay schools contained only 1,400 pupils-and patriotism would not allow him to sacrifice them. A resolution to increase the number of secular establishments was opposed by M. Delcassé as not providing funds.

A Martyr in Manchuria.—One of the youngest missionaries of the Vicariate, has fallen like a soldier at his post in Southern Manchuria. It was the Abbé Trécul, slain at Tatsing-chan, on October 16, while defending a young Christian of his flock, who was about to be shot by a bandit. Father Trécul was first shot in the hand, then five times in the breast. A seventh shot tore open the intestines, and the missionary fell in his death agony. He was born in the diocese of Chartres in 1879, and ordained in France in 1903. A month after ordination he set out for Manchuria.

GERMANY.

The Press Campaign Against the Bishop of Metz.-Bishop Willibrord Benzler, O.S.B., of Metz, who is a true and zealous shepherd of his flock, and also enjoys the friendship of the German Emperor, has been, for these very reasons, almost since the beginning of his episcopate, but especially for the greater part of this year, the object of incessant attacks on the part of the Anti-Catholic press. In the spring of this year (See MESSENGER, October, 1904, p. 483) he vindicated the laws of the Church by placing the cemetery of a country-parish under interdict for a short time. Soon after, he saluted the Emperor at the railroad station on the latter's passage through Metz. What words were exchanged between prince and prelate no one knows. Nevertheless a Dresden paper published

the Emperor's speech, in which in terms most discourteous, he upbraided the prelate as if he were a lackey. The speech, incredible though it was, was eagerly snapped up by Anti-Catholic and sensational papers and published far and wide. The Berlin Germania, on inquiry, received from the bishop the information that the pretended speech was an invention pure and simple, without one word of truth. The journalistic author of the speech himself admitted as much, saying that if the words were not spoken by the Emperor, they ought to have been spoken. This first act was played in June. In October the speech began once more to be circulated, starting this time all the way from the Russian Baltic provinces, and again made the round of the press, was telegraphed across the German frontier to the French papers, and has, at length, crossed the Atlantic, feeding now Protestant papers in this country, both English and German. Very likely it will henceforth be part of their permanent stock-in-trade. The Reichsbote, which is said to be the Empress' favorite paper, distinguished itself in this nasty campaign, and when pushed to the wall by the Catholic papers, coolly declared that it did not believe the bishop's denial. This is the paper which Count von Bülow not long ago publicly called a liar!

Spiritual Care of the German Catholics in Italy. In the beautiful letter which the Holy Father addressed last May to the Bonifatiusverein, he called the attention of the German Catholics to the spiritual needs of their Catholic countrymen living in Italy, suggesting that the beneficent action of that noble society should be extended to these greatly neglected Catholics. The Holy Father's exhortation has been heeded. At the Bishops' Conference held at Fulda, last summer, Cardinal Kopp was chosen protector of the German Missions in Italy, a nomination which promptly received the approbation of the Holy See. As the Cardinal cannot personally devote himself to the work, he has named as his commissary, Mgr. de Waal, the Rector of the German Campo Santo in Rome, who has already taken the first steps in the organization of the work. This distinguished prelate has passed nearly his whole priestly life in Rome and is extremely well liked by his countrymen who visit the eternal city. There are many German Catholics living in Italy, especially in the larger cities; in Milan, alone, there are 12,000. It has been decided to entrust the Italian Missions to the St. Joseph's Verein in Aachen, which was founded many years ago for the financial support of the German missions in France and England. Cardinal Kopp has requested all the German and Austrian bishops to recommend and assist the St. Joseph's Verein in this new work.

The Jubilee of the Immaculate Conception. The joint pastoral of the Prussian bishops on the Jubilee of the Immaculate Conception, was published shortly before the feast. Several large pilgrimages of German Catholics went to Rome for the Jubilee celebrations. Among the many bishops were Cardinals Kopp and Fischer and Bishop Benzler, of Metz.

Congress of Catholic Women's League. The first Congress of the Catholic Women's League, was held at Frankfort, November 6-8. This newly created organization, which is destined to do great work, owes its existence to the suggestion of Frau Emmy Gordon, and has its centre in Cologne. The Congress was honored by the presence of several distinguished priests, among them the representatives of Cardinal Fischer, of Cologne, and of the Bishop of Limburg, also of prominent parliamentarians. The objects of the League are to keep the German "woman movement" within the bounds of Christian principles, to save it from falling into fatal extravagances, and to give unity and a common impulse to the various religious, social and economical works undertaken or to be undertaken on behalf of women. Among the problems or works that were discussed by the assembled ladies are the following: The rescue and care of fallen women—the care of female prisoners—the moral protection of girls in the large cities-the training of country nurses-the care of domestic servants-the care of women on farm or in factory— the higher education of women, etc. Frau Gnauk-Kühne, a convert, and a woman of national fame as a champion of her sex, was a prominent member of the Congress, also Fräulein Clara Renz, Phil. Dr., who holds an official position in the Munich University Library. This lady, who formerly was a teacher in an American college, spoke eloquently of the generosity of American women for the welfare and advancement of their sex, particularly in the matter of higher education. Great earnestness, good will and enthusiasm were noticed throughout the proceedings. of the Congress and the new organization has been launched on its career of usefulness under the most favorable auspices.

The Society of St. Charles Borromeo for the diffusion of good books, according to its latest report, counts 118,000 members, with 2,676 branch libraries. In the year 1903, the Society distributed 108,300 books gratis to its members and expended 88,400 marks on its branch libraries. The Society flourishes most in the Western Provinces of Prussia; Rhineland and Westphalia.

A Catholic Garrison Church in Ulm.-The first Catholic garrison church in the Kingdom of Württemberg, was consecrated on November 8, by Bishop von Keppler, in presence of the King. It is built in the Gothic style, and was erected by the empire at a cost of 700,000 marks. At the same time the first military parish priest in Württemberg was appointed.

Sympathy in Australia for Massacred Missionaries. (See Messenger, December, 1904, p. 732). Father Linckens, Provincial of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, in the South Sea Islands, sends a long account of the sympathetic reception given him in Australia, whither he went soon after the massacre of the missionaries in the German colony of New Pommerania. In Brisbane and especially in Sydney, he was overwhelmed with marks of sympathy on the part of all classes of the people and all denominations. Cardinal Moran received him with fatherly

tenderness and ordered a solemn Requiem in his Cathedral. The church was thronged with worshippers and His Eminence delivered a splendid discourse on the Catholic missionary spirit, which made a deep impression and moved many to tears.

The Abbot of Beuron at the Court of Baden.-The Grandduke and Grandduchess of Baden gave audience recently to the venerable Archabbot Placidus Wolter, of Beuron, and to his secretary, Father von Oer. The Abbot, who is seventy-five years old, lately recovered from a severe illness. The Grandduke, who had known Father Placidus fifty-five years ago, as a fellow student at the University of Bonn, had expressed a wish to see him once more. Baden, with a Catholic majority, boasts the unenviable distinction of not possessing a single religious establishment for men. Perhaps this visit foreshadows the return, in the near future, of the monks and friars. There will be the usual uproar in the camp of the fanatics. Abbot Placidus Wolter is the brother and successor of Father Maurus Wolter, the founder of the celebrated Benedictine Congregation, of Beuron. Father von Oer, before his entering the order, was a Major in the Saxon army and military instructor of the present King of Saxony. Catholic Students' Clubs.—The agitation against the Catholic Students' clubs goes on a-pace. The latest outbreak took place at the Institute of Technology, of Berlin-Charlottenburg. At a mass-meeting of the students, a motion was carried-in the name of academic liberty!—that the Senate of the University be petitioned to dissolve the Catholic clubs existing in the school, and forbid them, in the future, also to enter into negotiations with the Senates of the other technical universities to the same effect. The Catholic University clubs are so flourishing and so much in evidence that frantic efforts are being made to kill them off. The efforts will be in vain, for these clubs are the darlings of the Catholic people and nearly all the Catholic Parliamentarians and Catholic Professors are honorary members of one or more of them.

Conversions.-Wilhelmine von Hillern, the novelist of international fame, who has been living for years at Oberammergau, was recently received into the Catholic Church. At about the same time the conversion was announced of the dramatic poet, Martin Unterweger, and of his wife, the well-known authoress, Rosa Stolle. Another recent conversion is that of Dr. Ludwig Seidel, formerly a Protestant preacher and until a short time ago Professor in the Gymnasium of Breslau. He will enter a seminary and study for the priesthood. It is rather a significant fact that conversions to the Catholic Church, though frequent enough in Germany, are not often mentioned in the press.

Calendar of Catholic Authors.-The seventh edition of Keiter's Calendar of Catholic Authors, of the German tongue, (German Empire, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg) has just appeared and contains 3,100 addresses. Besides the names and addresses of the authors and the usual personal information and list of works, the book contains a list of scien

tific and journalistic associations, literary bureaus, and Catholic publishers in the countries above mentioned. It gives a good idea of the intellectual activity of the German Catholics, and is an excellent book of reference.

The Quarrel About the Lippe Regency.-Chancellor von Bülow has shown extraordinary skill, as even his enemies acknowledge, in dealing with the case of the Lippe Regency, in which the Emperor so unfortunately interfered by his hasty telegram. (See MESSENGER, November, 1904, p. 614). First of all he succeeded in nearly explaining away the meaning of His Majesty's telegram, and next he induced the litigants to accept the intervention of the Bundesrath, which in turn handed the matter over to the Supreme Court of the Empire, to whose decision the litigants have beforehand agreed to bow.

The Canal Bill in the Prussian Legislature. The great Canal Bill, a pet project of the Emperor, which has been three times defeated in the Prussian legislature, is now for the fourth time before the House, and bids fair at last to be carried. Thanks to the skilful tactics of some distinguished members of the Centre, that party has leaped into the position of leadership in this great question, much to the chagrin of the Liberals, and is about to add new laurels to its splendid legislative record.

ENGLAND.

The London County Council and the Education Act.-The County Council is charged by government with the just administration of the Education Act. This is what it apparently intends not to do. Its temper is shown in its report, which classifies the managers of the religious schools as "sectarian mendicants who have been able by legislative violence to snatch the rates"; and which proceeds to condemn certain of these schools as unfit for educational purposes without telling the managers what improvements are needed. A leader of the hostile section of the Council admitted that "party considerations" should in this juncture influence the action of the Council.

Divorce in England.-The Divorce Act was passed in England in 1857, supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the majority of the Anglican Bishops. Lord Grey uttered the warning then, that it was an incitement to immorality, which the years ensuing have only too sadly proved. During the thirty years following the enactment, the divorces, including legal separations, numbered 9,306. But at present the annual number exceeds this total. Year after year divorce has been made easier for the poor, and with most deplorable consequences; year after year summary jurisdiction in police courts and petty sessions has been extended. In consequence divorces have increased nine-fold in the last ten years. The practice or methods of the court result in perjury, collusion and crime, in order to obtain the desired results.

Anglicans Follow Pope Pius in Music Reform.-The Commission appointed by the Protestant Bishop of Worcester to report on the question