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EYEMNG' PUBLIC LEDGBRr-PHECADELPHIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1919
15
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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
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