Radicals, like Pelletan (marine) and Berteaux (war). In spite of this lack of homogeneity, the Combes cabinet resisted all the combined attacks of the Right (Liberal Catholic Republicans) and the Left (Dissenting Radicals). These were sometimes very violent.
The policy of M. Combes's cabinet was above all anti-clerical. He enforced the law of Waldeck-Rousseau against the religious congregations and the law forbidding these to teach. He broke off all diplomatic relations with the Holy See. He also paved the way for the separation of church and state, which will probably be passed by the Chamber before July, so that it may pass the Senate this year. We may therefore presume that the year 1906 will see the separation as an accomplished fact. There are some who doubt that there will be a majority for it in the Chamber, but we do not share this doubt. Parliament will pass the bill, because it realizes that public opinion demands it. Besides, the Radical papers, the Freemasons, and the groups of free thought are making an active propaganda to that end. The fight is carried on with eagerness on the part of the Radicals. On the Catholic side many wish the separation, hoping to use the liberty which will result to regain their lost power. M. Combes was in the habit of taking the hints given by these groups in the Chamber or in the country at large. The feature which most distinguished his regime from that of his predecessor was the fact that he did not have a personal policy, but that he took pains to find out in what direction lay the preference of the parliamentary majority and of the country, thus following the opinion of the nation instead of leading it. He did not oppose the forward march, nor did he promote it. During the thirty years or more that France has been a republic, his was the first really republican cabinet. The merit of M. Combes consists in realizing the aspirations of the majority and in executing its will.
The result of this policy was that great influence came to be vested in a few individuals and a few groups. It is certain that the Grand Orient of France had considerable influence over M. Combes personally, and consequently over the whole ministry. The committee composed of the delegates of the parliamentary groups
