"nwppwir'' . ' -iv: "' nr&p' " V ''v'"''t'bW7 t ' 4r EYEMNG' PUBLIC LEDGBRr-PHECADELPHIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1919 15 w(tmjtlmmfr ft- f JEERS OF MOB" BRING GERMAN WHINE TO MERCIER "Very Urgent That Steps Be Taken to Protect Officer Prison ers' Von Bissing Complains, hut Fails to Give Details When Requested T WAS within my rights." "I waive all claims." Explanatory Comment These two statements concerning a single subject in a single brief letter strikingly reveal the embarrassment of Governor General Von Bissing following au epistolary brush with the acute and patriotic Cardinal. Tho German masters of Belgium had a mania for extracting pledges. In their vanity they doubtless prided themselves upon their extremo "subtlety." Their aim, however, was almost childishly transparent. Treason was the broad count upon which tho occupy ing power sought to register its cases against King Albert's people. The very essence of treason was the viola tion of plighted word, given to a government. , Death, imprisonment, deportation were the outcomes of broken promises. The moro oaths compelled by force from helpless victims, the moro court sentences on the exultantly awaited days of reckoning. From tho outset tho Cardinal was under no delusions about the whole nefarious plan. 'When all other argu ments failed he protested in terms of tho lno&t virile patriotism. Where, however, it was not possible to draw upon his armory of logic, erudition and statesmanship he adopted other methods and with conspicuous success. An (rly victory and one brilliantly complete was won on the .question of thp payment by tho German Govern ment of the salaries to the clergy. Von Bissing plotted characteristically to render the disbursements of tho funds dependent upon a declaration that the priests would not disturb public order. With prompt and specific referenedto historical justification the Cardinal explained that the members of the clergy were not public functionaries of tho Belgian state. Their salaries were paid on tho ground of indemnity as compensation for the confiscation of ecclesiastical property at the time the modern kingdom of Belgium was formed. , He vigorously denied Von Biasing's right to alter the status of the priests by requiring oaths of good behavior with regard to the occupying power. The Governor General was utterly outmaneuvered. If he was, as he said, within his rights "in subordinating the payment of the salaries to the signing of the proposed declaration," his position is almost ludicrously weakened by the waiver of the claim. His unconvincing excuse was that the Cardinal hud disclaimed "any intention of disturbing order." What the Cardinal actually wrote was that "the Belgian bishops have no designs against the 'public order." Von Bissing was thus forced to regard this general statement as a definite pledge with which his Eminence bound all the members of tho clergy. It was, of course, a simple observation, not an oath, jtrued it otherwise was a plain confession of defeat. Cardinal Merciers Story Including his correspondence with the German authorities in Belgium during the war, 1914 to 1918 edited by Professor Fernand Mayenco of Louvain University and translated by the Bene dictine Monks of St. Augustine's, Ramsgate, England. Archbishop of Malines. February 9th, 1915. f PO His Excellency Bavpn von Bissing, Governor Gen eral, Brussels. Sir Since I have the opportunity, may I remind your Excellency of my letter of January 27th relative to tho salaries of the clergy? My colleagues in the episcopate, whose ideas as well as niy own I gave expression to, are as anxious as myself to find a solution. When I say my colleagues, I must make a reservation in the case of the Bishop of Touunay, who finds it materially impossible to communicate his views to us. Believe me, your Excellency, I feel 'Bure it is superfluous for me to make this declaration that the Belgian bishops have no designs against public order. If ever a member of tho clergy forgot his duty on this point, or if tho German authorities were to con-, sider him as having done so, we only make one-request, viz., that the case be brought to tho notice of That tlie discomfited Governor General speciously con- tlio bishop of the diocese to which sucli a one may happen to belong. Receive, my dear Governor General, the assur ance of my very high esteem. (Signed) D. J. CARDINAL JIERCIEK. Archbishop of Mechlin. Note His Eminence nt the same time was writing lo the Governor General to intercede on behalf of the cure of Forrieres. (Sec below.) Waives Claims lo Declarations Governor General of Belgium's Office. Brussels, February 17th, 1315. To His Eminence Cardinal Mcrcier, Mechlin. I have the honor to acknowledge your Emi nence's esteemed letters of January 2Sth and Febru ary Oth. I cannot entertain the views which your Emi nence puts forward in your first letter. It is a ques tion of a measure arising out of the war. This meas ure in no wise affects the position of the clergy in regard to the State as laid down by the Belgian Con stitution and Legislature. Moreover, it in no wise constitutes a precedent. On the conclusion of the war it loses all its force. To prove that I ivas within my rights in sub ordinating the payment of salaries to the signing of the proposed declaration, I might adduce the fact that already a number of the clergy, among them a bishop with all hi3 chapter, have professed themselves in agreement with my way of thinking. In your very esteemed letter of the 9th instant, your Eminence has- declared that the Belgian hier archy disclaims any intention of disturbing public tin i in. .,. ,w,v.v.vH J i, , . iUmmMmb vXvn vA.. is -l :i.jk V-. . ..' .. A. . .. - .. . ..... a. 1 "I I I' r LmonT I'l highest esteem and I have the honor to be your fitodt devoted servant. ( Signed) FREIHERH 1 ON BISSING, Generaloberst t UtDlNALi MEKCIEK AND CMIDINAL GIMiONS '3 l.-U'l'U order. The maintenance of public order constitutes my duty. Since, in view of the position of the episco pate in the Catholic Church, I am enabled to look upon the declaration of your Eminence as binding the whole clergy, I have great pleasure in informing you that I ivaive all claims to a personal declaration from each member of the clergy. I offer to your Eminence the expression of my highest esteem, and I have the honor to be your Emi nence's most devoted servant. (Signed) FREIHERR VON BISSING. Governor General. Archbishop's House, Malines, February 19th, 1915. To His Excellency Baron vou Bissing, Governor Gen eral Brussels. I liavo received the letter with which your Ex cellency honored me on February 17th in answer to my communications of January 28th and February 9th. Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting my rcered colleagues of. the Belgian hierarchy at Tour nay. They have begged me to become their spokes man with your Excellency and lo express to your our lively satisfaction and our heartfelt gratitude. Kindly accept the expression of my very high esteem. (Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER. Archbishop of Malines. Archbishop's House, Malines, March 1st, 191C To His Excellency Baron von Bissing, Governor Gen eral, Brussels. It has'come to my knowledge that your Excel lency has not received the letter whicli I had the honor to address to you on February 19th. It was, however, sent lo you by registered post as is proved by the inclosed receipt. The following is the text of wliat I then wrote. (Here follows text of the preceding letter.) I present again to your Excellency the expres sion of my very high esteem. (Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER, Archbishop of Malines. i The Governor General of Belgium, Brussels, March 3rd, IBIS. To His Eminence Cardinal Mercicr, Archbishop of Malines. In reply lo the esteemed letter of your Eminence dated the 1st of thi3 month, I have the honor to in form you that your letter of February 10th reached me in a regular manner through the post. s If I have delayed answering, i( is because I de sired to add to the thanks which I owe your Emi nence for your lust letter the announcement that the payment of ecclesiastical calories is secure. I hud given orders to the head of the administration to ad vise me of it. It is only today that ha has informed me that it is an accomplished fact. I rejoice to be able to make this communication to your Eminence; at the same time I beg you to ac cept my warm thanks for your kind letters of Febru ary 10th and March 1st, as well as my regret for the delay I have Taken in answering. I offer to your Eminence the expression of my CHAPTER IV N ou Hissing Complains lo the Cardinal About llic Manner in Which ihe French Treat German OHicer J'risoiierh , Office of the Governor General of Belgium. Brussels, December 31st, 1014. TO Hig Eminence Cardinal Mrrcicr, Archbishop of Malines. I have the honor in reply to the esteemed letter addressed to my predecessor on November 29th to make to your Eminence the folloiiing communication: It hue often happened that German doctor who have been made jirisoners by the French have re ported on their return from captivity the ignominious treatment which had been inflicted on German officer prisoners. These reports have been communicated fa oil the Belgian and French officer prisoners in f?er wany in order that they may take up1 the. mutter with Vie proper authorities in their respective countries I' itli a view to umelio-vMny the condition of the German officers and thus to avoid eventual reprisals on the part of the German Government. These re- e ports have been r-'orf at the same time to the Belgian ecclesiastics who are in the cam) at Cellc. No ?ieas vrcs of reprisals have so far been taken. I inclose with my letter a copy of one of these reports which have arrived here, with the observation that the bad treatment which is mentioned therein must have been meanwhile mitigated in consequence of diplomatic representations. The Governor General. (Signed) VON BISSING. Cavalry General. "Note This letter Imp nrxer been found "Infamous Treatment," Germans Cry The following note accompanied the Governor's letter: The head doctor, Tcr Peek, who uas u prisoner for some time in the camp at Fougeres and who. since his relcare, has bc-'n doing duty as hopd doctor with the regiment of the Landivchr, No. 7i, reports as follows about the installations in that camp and the manner in which German officer prisoners are treated there: During their removal from the camp they were exposed to the insults of the mob. measures for their protection were altogether inadequate. Their military equipment has been taken from them their caps, gaiters, etc. and instead of tlide they have been given nightcaps and very sltabby civilian clothes. "Again, in the camp they were exposed to the jeers of the mob; the' commandant at the camp is unable to protect them. The accommodation leaves much to be desired. The rooms cannot be warmed and the officers have lo clean them out themselves. For beds they have only sacks of straw to lie on without any bedclothes. There are no sanitari ar rangements. Their food is insufficient and of inferior quality and yd the officers only receive ciglity cen times of their pay on the plea tliai the rest is kepi for their maintenance." - These reports show that it is very urgent that steps should be taken to put a eiop to this infamous treatment. In reply to this letter, tho Cardinal asked for do tails which were never forthcoming. (TO HE CONTINUED) i aplrioUt til'i, bji Public Lctlter to lopyriuht, tunatlti. lull, by Public Lcdfwt to. Iittimatlonul Cvpunuht. Hill), hy J'uhllc Lrdgrr Co. GARBED LIKE FRIARS OF OLD, , FATHER PAUL INVADES CITY Head of a Modem Order of Franciscans Known for His Pious Work at Graymoor, N. Y House for Poor lo Conduct Retreat Hera Looking as though ho had stepped from the doors of a sixteenth cen tury monastery, Father Paul, the head of a modern order of Franciscans, is letting the city. Ha wears tho flowing robes, the cowl - and crucifix of the friars of old. Like vhls brothers who have gone before, in the dim past of the church, he has given his life to the poor and needj along the highways of life. ' In his eyes thine the Bame. kindly humor and the same unselfishness of purpose. Like them his only reward in life is "the hope of the City of God at the end of the road." Father Paul has come to the city to conduct a retreat a series of religious services at the Cathedral this week. He Vill conduct special services morn nnd evening. The story of Father Paul's work at tho monastery and lodging house for the poor at- Uraymoor, near uarnsou, 11. T., is like a page out of old church history- Through it breathes the came gentle and consecrated spirit that moved tho Franciscans of medieval Europe to minister to the poor and distressed, to feed them and preach to them. Welcome at St. Christopher's Inn As he talks of tho monastery and St. Christopher's Inn, where all men aio welcome, ho calls tip something of tue gruj, shadowed calm of ancient clois ters, of calm-eyed monks walking In meditation beneath old tiees, and through the quiet air tho clear tolling of some high bronze bell. St. Christopher's Inn, where Father Taul has lived for 'the last ten years is on the main road between New Xork city nud the west. Along this highway pasi all manner of wanderers, strange out "cast people, the poor and tho great army of tramps. On their way to and from tho city's Bowery, they stop end share the hospitality of the Franciscans. They aro ministered to kindly and bountifully before they pass on their way to the dark cities or the far places of tho world. To Eome of them the friars minister fn moro than body. Many are turned to a new road, tho uphill road back to decent living. By their simplic ity and kindness tho friars of- Gray moor havo worked many miracles of today among their "down and out ' gufsts. , , , The story of tho founding of the inn and tho "Union That Nothing Might Bo Lost," a branch of the Society of the Uonement, which operates the inn along the Hudson, might have been the jnatsrlul for a legend, had it happened eevoral centuries ago. Ainonir thn. manv "brothers Chlisto- plier" who stopped from time to time at uic monastery was au oui man oi eisuvj 5eas, friendless and threadbare, Dnr jug pne of his visits, tho question of a placo to yain young men for tho priest hood was brought up. Ho listened with interest and went Ids way, as lie had maw tjmes More.. . lir a law days there camo to the S tuonasj err .checks for $5000 and $200 -- tho five loaves and two small fishes ot tho Scriptures. That was the old man's gift to God from a lifetime of frugality nnd humble living. It was learned that ho lived alone on a little farm in Con necticut; that ho traveled by the high road becauso riding in tho trains was too expensive, that he was a miser, but one who gave all his money to thi work of the church. On the occasion when several of the friars went to visit him in his little cabin at nielit. h lit au oil lamp long enough to see who his guests were and men, to save tho oil, blew out tho light. His gift gave the impetus to the "Union That Nothing Might Be Lost" and from that humble start, a now building was built and tho present in come of tho society has reached ?100, 000 a 3 ear. Father Paul was an Enisconal plrr- gyraan of tho Diocese of Delawnre until ten years ago. He is a cultured, brilliant man, and is tho editor of two Catholic magazines, The Lamp and The Anti dote. V THE DAILY NOVELETTE SOLVING THE PROBLEM ny JULIA A, nom.NbON w ANETT10 trudged wearily homo ! dark before her. "I don't know what after her day's work that K 'he i I'm going to do!" she wailed. "I was went lo her small room iu n lodging pa iug the limit before. I shall have to house. She was ttrcd and a little di-.- go without clothes " eouraged, for tlia day had been u hard ij0u could stie pay the rent and huve one. Sne stopped on tue lirst noor lo pay the rent for the following week, fur she might oversleep in the morning and not hno time to see the landlady before going lo work; then fho would run the risk of losing her room. She handed out the bills tremblingly. She always cringed when she paid out those precious dollars : it took so long to earn them and so mueli hard work ! Then it was that the great blow came. "From now on it'll bo fifty cents moro a week," announced the land lady blandly, not noticing the shook to the girl. "Everything's gone up," she went on. "Coal's high. I don t know how I'm going to get enough for this winter I've got to raise on the rent " Nanette gasped, but dared not say a word. How often she had heard that same story, "Dvcrj thing's gone up'" dreading the result. Now it had ooim ' nnd what was she to do? Had not things gone up for her as well? AVho A-as to help her on her expenses? She had no one to fall back upon and de mand more money of them to meet the high prices for cvcrjthiug she must buy. It was tho way they all did, anil she dared not protest. , II, M .l. I1 :.! 41. -.... t.r.lf Cuban Building Damaged by Bomb "", TouWtho stair To Tor Havana, Dec. 9. A building occu- lodgings. Somehow, the little room that pled by the Department of Lighthouses ft? - ,1 ic-S-bruc":! and the Department ot Public Works I ,ts attraction for her. It uo longer was damaged last night by the explosion I looked homeliko m She sank into a chair ot a bomb. No one was lnjur?d. j nnd burst into tears. Ijverylhing looked enough to eat to Keep her health ou her small salary? They would turn her off if sho complained. The world was very cruel. What was the use of living, anyway? An hour Inter John came, lie had not called for a long time and !iiuettc was afraid ho bad forgotten, frjhe brightened up, brushed tho tears from her face, and went down to meet him. Perhaps he would take her to tho movies ; that would help her to forget. But John was not thinking of the movies. They walked out to the river bank. Moonlight streamed across the river. Passers-by chatted gavly, but John was glum and silent, not at all like himself. - "No, I'm not going to the movies!"' ho growled, when -Nanette dartd the suggestion. "Couldn't stand 'cm to night!" "Why not?' What ails jou, John? I thought you liked the movies." "How- can jou expect a hungry man to enjoy tho movies or anj thing else?" ho groaned. "Hungry? Why, John, you're not hungry, really?" "Yes. 1 am." "Hut didn't jou have your supper? What's the matter with jou?" "Matter enough, I should say! he stormed, "when a man cau't get a de cent meal anywhere in the ritj ! You pi- all creation uml don't get what'p lit to nit, and not half enough of it. I'm tired of it '" "Oh, John, it'"- toi bt.il ! she s.vm nalhiied. "I was down in the dumps, too, when jou lauio becauso Mrs. Stol;es has raised uij rent, and cverj thing costs so much. J confess I go hungry myself Eometimes. Y.iatvarc we going to do with such priees?" John whistled. "That's the problem, and a hard one, loo." They sat silent for a long time, star ing at tho ground, Um much cast down to talk. Suddenly John asked : "Can jou make an omelet, Nanette?" Nanette laughed. "Why, I used to ninkc them at home. I think I could now, if I hud fresh eggs, and a stoVe to cook them on." "And i little house to put the stove i in," he added. "That's just it,Nanctte, it's a home we need. What's the use of I dragging on in this waj, pa.viug out all jour raoni'.v and having nothing to snow ! for it. T.et'i go to housekeeping, jou , and I. Ar'll hare a little house some where where we cau keep a few hens I nnd have a few green things growing to eat. We can save money, nnve a good time and have enough to eat , ut least!" Ho had grown enthusiastic, but Nan itte was silent. She had never imagined being wooed iu quite tliut way. It seem ed verv practical and homely, just to be thiuking of eating. She wanted love and romance but then, John was liun grv and she pitied him Yet she would not jield at once, llcr woman's co quftrv came to her aid. "Uh, Mill want upc just for juur cook, do juu''" she retorted "I an't jou Inn sonic oui- i Isc for a cool , John''" Jlc saw- the fun lurljiig in her ejc-. and In sun to understand. "Thcic. I'm a brute," lie cried. "I confess this does not sound much like love-making, but It is, and I mean it. Leaving the eat ing and -he practical part out of the question, I ivapt jou, Xanetto. I love jou. I've loved jou for a long time, but I thought I must wait till 1 had a idle of money before 1 told jou so. S tl'ouiht wc oucht to have enough to he gin in sljle before we got married, but (.(, lcii '! ' i i'i ". lust ii little, dear? We'd be so much more comfortable and so happy!" lift- ejus twinkled, "And have plenty to eat, John?" Then he caught her in his arms and kissed her, and the romanco whicli meant so much to both began. The next complete, novelette A I'nilj lor Jim. TUG SINKS, CREW SAVED Men Stand on Pilothouse for Hour Before Being Rescued Standing iu three feet of water above the pilot house ot the tug Ilclnwirc, which sank suddenly in the Schuyl kill river near (iirnrd Point jester da j afternoon, its crew ot si veu mm faced the wind and rain for moic than an hour before help arrived The tin; tint trom a leal, which was rescued by comrades. Two of the men dung to the funnel and others clung to them to prevent being swept away by the current. They were finally wsoucd by the tug Diamond P. TO GET SCHOOL SHIP HERE Gunboat Annapolis Assigned for Training Young Seamen lm-e more Philadelphia will have a mimical school whip. The gunboat An napolis, now at .Mare Island navj jnrd, has been assigned to this port for that purpose, according to word received jes tcrday by the commissioners of naviga tion from George V. Sproule, iis sec retarj. Mr. Sproute telegraphed that the shin hail been assigned through the tiTortB of Congressman Durrow. It will be delivered Inn uilhui a few iel IIHiliPi aS do "vou knqw that your rayrou i$ correctly made iip? yaKi j k Linoleum B I 'A I I ' fc ' ' ' 'l l A 'irars out quickly, Iojm 9 fo I'l T v: X "" S'oss, and 13 oft'n m I 1 inisanifaij B aga. ucari,' abavrbi m water. M Tile I rWtVA I gffife 11 iCRxv I nacks, and does not m teal out t'cnnlii. Concrete B l? 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