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EYENINCP TJBETO I33DGERr-PHrDADELPHtA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1910
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"WHAT HAS POOR BELGIUM DONE TO GERMANY?'
'Tortured in Consciences," Cries Mercier in Plea to Von Bis
sing to Send Belgian Clergy to Minister to Prisoners
Held in Germany
Explanatory
rpHE month of May, 1015, began a new chapter in tho war's
tania was sunk. Neutral indignation wns aroused. Tho tiagedy of tho Dardanelles was in progress.
Tho reactions of these momentous events are observable in tho relations of Cardinal Mercier and Governor
Gcheral von Bissing. Both the priest and soldier wroto with particularly spirited candor. Von Blssing'a tone was
no longer oily and spuriously deprecatory. It was bullying and exultant. The letter in which he threatens to break
off correspondence with the Cardinal reflects tho self-satisfaction which all Germany was taking in the banner
blunder of her war-making the destruction of the Cunarder Lusitania on May 7, 1916.
Tho crime -was not mentioned, for the Governor General seldom discussed military or naval events with the
primate, but it is clear that the Germans wero infatuatedwith their own infamy, which they miscalled boldness.
Under such circumstances a Belgian Cardinal who persisted in speaking the truth was decidedly offensive to tho
engineers of "Weltmacht."
Von Bluing was out of patienco with his constant defeats at the hands of an irrepressible patriot He sought,
if possible, to avoid relations which so often placed him in awkward positions
The Cardinal, on the other hand, was undeceived by the false glamour which tho Germans saw in tho Lusitania
outrage. He lAicw that the shame of it was undying and his deep spirituality inspired him doubtless to pin his faith
on the principle of just atonement. Furthermore, his senso of realities must have told him that Italy's participation
In the war was by that tjmo inevitablo and that the consequences of that act wero of the highest import.
He minced no words in urging humano treatment for imprisoned priests and insisted categorically that Bel
gian chaplains be permitted to join the Belgian army. If Von Bissing believed ho had won a victory by refusing the
requested passports, he erred in forecasting a severance of relations unless tho Cardinal wero moro "courteous."
Mercier's fearless reply ended that threat. The correspondence went on until the Govornor General Anally became
too ill to hold office. ' t .
Mercier was inextinguishable. He championed the right through tho administration of three German Gov
ernors General. When the end came the Teuton .authorities, then on slippery ground, did most of tho supplicating.
Cardinal Mercier's Story
Including his correspondence with the. German
ulhorities in Belgium during tho war, 1914 to
1918, edited by Professor pernand Mayence of
Louvnin University and translate by the Bene
dictine Monks of St," Augustine's, Ramsgate,
England.
CHAPTER XIV
The Cardinal Asks Von Biasing to Authorize
the Sending of Chaplains to the Belgian
Army and Presses for Religious Minis
trations to Political Prisoners to Be
Entrusted to Belgian Priest?.
N The Governor General Refuses
Archbfshop's House, Malines, N
April 18 th, 1915.
To His Excellency Baron von Bissing, Governor Gen
eral, Brussels.
Sir I take the opportunity which your Excellency
offers me to explain to you a situation in religious
matters which gives mo great anxiety.
I know that your Excellency has.taken stops with
headquarters in Berlin, unfortunately without suc
cess, to obtain for Belgian priests, or at least Hol
lander priests, an authorization to go and exercise
their ministry among our countrymen interned in
Germany. It only remains for us to await patiently
the result of this request, which is made solely from
a sense of religious feeling and which ought, one
Vfould think, appear to all as quito disinterested.
What at present worries mo is tho organization of
the chaplaincies in the Belgian army.
Since the beginning of the war, several chaplains
have died or have been brought to the hospitals
wounded; others have been recalled toBelgium by us
because they were wanted by their polishes or for
teaching. The need of their being replaced in tho
army is urgent.
Will your Excellency allow me to propose to you
the names of four priests to whom you might grant
a passport? I should be pleased to add to them the
name of a prieBt who is asked for by the refugee Bel
gians at Uden in Holland.
Again, it is exclusively the interests of religion
which are at stake here; and I forward my request
with all candor and confidence to the General Govern
ment. .
We -KNOW, as everybody else
knows, of course, the Cadillac is
an economical car to operate
But some owners report to. us
such low figures of upkeep ex
pense, that, frankly, we .feel as
though we should make some
allowance for their enthusiasm.
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Comment
history. Italy at Inst entered the conflict.
The Lusi-
Accept, sir, tho renewed expression of my sincere
esteem.
(Signed) , D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER,
Archbishop of Malines.
Governor General of Belgium, Brussels,
April SSd, 1915.
To His Eminence Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of
Malines.
On the lSlh of this month your Eminence asked
me to grant a passport to five Belgian ecclesiastics in
order to allow them to go and exercise their priestly
ministry in the Belgian army and among a number of
refugees.
" regret to be unable to comply with your Emi
nence's request. Among other reasons which dictate
my decisionjs the consideration that in the occupied
part of Belgium the need of priests begins to make
itself felt, and I feel I can attach all the more weight
to this circumstance, inasmuch as the Belgian army
can have recourse to French priests.
I ojfer your Eminence the expression of my sin
cere esteem and I have the honor to be your very de
voted servant.
(Signed) BARON VON BISSING,
Major General.
Spiritual Help for Countrymen
Archbishop's House, Malines.
, April 24th, 1915.
To His Excellency Baron von Bissing, Governor Gen
eral, Brussels.
Sir The motives which could even for nn in
stant restrain your Excellency from granting the re
quest I made of you with confidence for a passport for
priests destined to rejoin the Belgian army and our
refugees at Uden, will quite naturally come to the
mind of any one who is not acquainted with the spe
cial conditions attached to tho administration of spir
itual help to our countrymen.
It is quite true, your Excollcncy, that there is a
dearth of priests in Belgium alto. In all tho colleges
staffs arc l educed to a third; a number of parishes
are without one or seveial curates. But it is true, on
the other hand, that in Belgium tho population of tho
parishes and tho pupils in schools are reduced in
number; it is also true that industries, for instance
economic and social industries, have greatly slackened
their activities.
On the other hand, in the army the presence of a
priest in each battalion is indispensable and this is nn
immediate and every-day necessity. Moreover, it is
out of the question to appeal to the co-operation of
tho French clergy, for'the regiments of the Belgian
army being all bilingual, it is absolutely needful that
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tho chaplain should know both French and Flemish.
In caso there be any suspicion nt the back of your
Excellency's mind to deter you this reminds me of
tho expression "unter nndercm" of tho dispatch No.
1883 I givo you my word of honor that the priesta
in whoso favor I ask for n passport will be chaplains
and have no other purpose in view than to act aa such.
Priests Forbidden to Say Mass
A distressing situation, your Excellency, to which
I would respectfully draw your attention, has .been
brought to my notice. When priests happen to be
in solitary confinement in St. Giles they are forbidden
to celebrate or even to hear mass. On Easter Sunday
F. Van Bambeko and tho Cure Cuylits wero deprived
of this consolation, of which a Catholic and a priest
alono can, in my opinion, estimate tho value. Never
theless, the service of our prison celU is organized in
such a manner that it is materially impossible for tho
inmates to communicate with ono another in the
chapel.
Is it permissible to hope that Catholic prisoners
may have facilities for attending mass at least on
Sundays; that priests may be able to celebrate mass
daily, and that all may have the consolation of a visit
from the prison chaplain 7
I hopo that your Excellency will not consider out
of place the earnestness with which I plead for the re
ligious Interests of my fellow countrymen. I do so to
quiet my own conscience, for in the "spiritual realm
I nm responsible for their direction.
Pleaso accept, sir, tho assurance of my sincere
esteem.
(Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER.
Archbishop of Malines.
'Note Tho German tcvt to which refcrmcp fa made
mini bh follows: "Weun Ich mlch zu mrinem Iiertnuprn
nlcht bereit erklnrcn. kauri, dpn Wurisch Hucrer
Kmincnz zu erfullen, bo Icitrt mich itabr-l iinter nndercm
der Gpulchtspnnkt, daK nuch hier in IMclen sioh schon
cinlget Mnngel an Geistliclien fueblbar gemncht hat."
The Governor General of Belgium, Brussels,
S. No. P. A. I. S130. May 1st, WIS.
To Hie Eminence Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of
Malines.
Your Eminence has again asked permission for
certain priests to cross the frontier in order to go and
serve as chaplains in the Belgian army. I regret to
be unable to recommend this tequcst to the com
petent authorities. The state of u ar in which we find
ourselves renders it altogether impossible.
Regarding the second request contained in your
Eminence's letter, I am quite ready to intrust the
rector of the German mission at Brussels, Father Ley
cndecUer, with the spiritual interests of the Belgian
ecclesiastics interned at St. Giles. Father Leyen
deckcr is known to your Eminence; he speaki French
and flemish. I must atso say that I am of opinion
that these prieslet sliould have facilities to say mass.
I offer to your Eminence the expression of my
sincere esteem arid I have the honor to be your de
voted servant.
(Signed) BARON VON BISSING,
Major General.
"New Check to Religion"
Archbishop's House, Malines,
May 14th, 491 G.
To His Excellency Baron von Bissing, Governor Gen
eral, Brussels.
Sir The letter dated May lit (No. 2130) with
which your Excellency lins honored me and which
unavoidable circumstances have prevented my an
swering eailier has brought about in my mind, I must
say, an unpleasant disillusionment.
If I have insisted on obtaining a passport for four
chaplains destined to fill the gaps which have taken
placo in our chaplaincies, it is because I could not
succeed in fathoming the lcason for the first lefusal
I met with. Relying on tho candor of my two re
quests, I expected marks of particular benevolence.
All I can do, therefore, is to record a new check
to religion in Belgium.
Several representativ cs of German authority do
not, I fear, appreciate at its full value the importance
attached by the Catholic conscience to confession.
Otherwise they would not obstinately refuse us the
sanction solicited by us already so often, both by word
of mouth and in writing, to send to our prisoners
detained in Germany a few priests speaking their
language and to whom they could with full freedom
open their consciences.
Will you kindly reflect a moment, sir, that for
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Canes for "Him "!
sniuTS
Printed Msdrai.
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.Madran ?2.00, S3.
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Genuine Pongee,
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Hllk 7.5U.
lleuvr llroadclouis
8.S0. 10. !-.
Crepe B, 110, $12
Jerxii 10,
gis.so
VVJilte Oxford,
Collarn Attached
2.S0.
riill-Urenn HhirU.
(I'laln and Tleated
lloiomi 5.S0.
J3.50, M,
IIOSIHRV
Cotton. Plain Col
or, "PhitenU
60c, 66c.
CAN15 UMBRELLAS
llure Silk $18,
HATS
Soft Felt TTatsi Ve Miades Brown.
Green. Taupe, hmoke, Havana IJ
$8, $10. '
Genuine V flour $12, lie. $1.
Silk Hals $12,
Caps, en Eiullsh Can checks.
$"i VM"i S-50 '. $3.80,
New English Derbies $S, $7, $J. .
SMOKING JACKETS
Plaid Dacksi Fancj Silk $10. 1!
$13.50, $15, $13, 25, $30, $33.
IlATHROnES
Mii.le of Terry Cloth $5, $7.80, $10,
f IO, f J "
LOUNOINO ROUES
$8.60. $10. $18, $18, $20, $2S, S0. $38.
Lenther Ilelts 75c, $1, $1.80, $3
Sterling; Sllier Ruckles $1, S3, $3.30
$5.
,,,'it.,,;"..,OI'r.SI!,"r N""'"! Black.
Tan, VVliltP, Cordovan $1, $1.80, $2.
DETACHARLE FUR COLLATIS Can
be worn on any coatt
XXXX Heaver, Rest quality $73.
XXX Reaver, Rest Qualltv $60
Hudson Seal $20, $25, $35.
Natural Nutria $35,
Taupe' Nutria $30.
MUFFLERS
Silk and Wool fur Street and roll
Dress Wean
Wool $3.50, $5. $6, $0.
Silk $1, $3, $0, $7.50, 8, $10, $12, $15.
HANDKERCHIEFS
White Initial Handkerchiefs 80c $1
White Linen Sn SOr, 78c, $1, $l,8o!
Fancy Cotton 50c, $!,
Fnncy Linen $1.80, $2, $a.S.
Traveling: Rars $7.50, $24. $30.
Suit Cases $20, $28, $80.
PAJAMAS
Cotton, In Plain Colors $3.80, $3,
Genuine Solsette $8,
Flannel (Pajamas $3.60, $4,
Silk and Cotton $7.80, $8, $10.
Fine Silk $18.
NIGHTSHIRTS
$2, $2.80, $3.
FULL-DRESS WAISTCOATS
In Rlack or White, In Pique, Linen,
Silk $4.60, $6, $a, $0.80, $7.80,
$8.80, $10, $12, $13.80.
SSo. ft. (1.B0.
Lisle Thread 1. ,.,, ,.
Imported French I.lile and Silk .
Wool Half Hose $1, t.B0. -.
Golf Hose SI, 1.B0. 2, S.S0, f5, S.
rialn and Fancy Cut Hlllu!, hS
t. t.ao. is, sb, 7.so. ..mm,
Knitted Hearts, Plain ColorWMH
Fancy 11.80, S2.B0. J3.B0, M;7?P
Fnll-Hress Ties, lllaik and Willie
BOo, 7Sr, $1, 1.50.
OI.OVES
Tan, UlacV, White. Oray, Mastic,
Wnsliahle Cnne Gloves 3.0. 4,
14.25, H1.60. (B.
flennlne Mocha t,
genuine lluek 4.
Lined Gloves for Street or Motor
Wear, Lined With Silk or Pur
4.S0. S. . 7, $10, $14.
Wool-Lined Mittens, In Tan and Jllack
EtenlnVr Dress Olores $8, $2.B0.
OANES
Plain and Silver Mounted) Varied As
sortment of Hardwoods $3.80 to
$15.
TJMTJBBLLAS
Olorla. Union Taffetas & Ture Silks
$2.80. $3, $3.80, $8, $6, $7, $0, $10.
Tore Silk $18.
eiirht months thousands of Belgians, solely because
they have served their country with honor, are con
fronted with tho moral impossibility of setting their
consciences at rest? Catholic confession reaches the
inmost recesses of the soul, and tho German authori
ties wish tho avowal it exacts, humiliating enough an
it is, involuntarily or not, to bo made to a man who
reminds his penitent of tho power of the oppressor,
tho responsible author of his captivity.
Is that humane? Is that Christian?
"Tortured in Consciences"
What then has poor Belgium done to Germany
to bo tortured on its own soil, to have its pioperty de
stroyed, and the lives of Its most inoffensive sons
cruelly sacrificed; and now finally to be tortured in
the consciences of those whose patriotism has borne
them into exile and Imprisonment?
And yet the genera headquarters cannot allege
(any "necessity of war" for refusing our prisonets the
freo exercise of their religion.
If it exacts that the German chaplains sliould be
replaced by priests from a neutral country, Holland
has promised to supply them.
Een if it exacts that these priests should hao
no communication with the outer world, Belgian
priests will carry charity to the point of heroism,
and dcclaro that they arc ready to share the intern
ment of their fellow countrymen till the day of gen
eral liberation comes.
Can one reasonably ask for more?
To my last request in favor of those detained
in the St. Giles prison, your Excellency answers that
you agrPe to it, provided the ministry be carried on
by Father Loycndeckcr, of Gorman nationality.
I am personally acquainted vjith Father Leyen
decker and hold him in high esteem. But why inflict
on Belgian chaplains an unmerited privation?
The Catholic mass, composed us it is of cere
monies and of Latin words, gives no room for any
direct communication between the priest and tho
faithful; and hence provides the celebrant with no
opportunity for taking an unfair advnntago of his
ministry.
For the practice of sacramental confession, a
German chaplain, whatever may be his personal
merits, incurs tho objection which I have noted above.
I know the priestly zeal of Father Leyendcckcr and his
experience of men too well to suspect that ho can
not understand the disquietude of my countrymen's
souls and will not help me to plead with you for their
liberty of conscience.
Not "Ordinary Criminals"
Will your Excellency kindly make a new endeavor
to obtain for prisoners of war in Germany the lib
erty of practicing their religious faith without super
human efforts?
Your Excellency has had the kindness to allow
the imprisoned priests to celebrate mass; this is a
mark of signal benevolence on your part for which
I am exceedingly grateful and a thing which all the
priests interested will highly value.
Lastly, will jour Excellency pk-asc consider that
tho Belgians arrested in Belgium by the German au
thorities nre not "ordinary criminals," but for the
moat part citizens beyond reproach victims of what
by the prisoner is called "patriotism" and by the
detaining power "the inevitable lawn of war"? Will
you spare them, in the name of humanity, all unnec
essary severity, and authorize the accused, after they
have been examined, to receive a visit from a chap
lain who possesses their confidence and, with that,
tho mpans of consoling them, of upholding their moral
strength, and every time tho prisoners express tho
wish, of hearing their confessions?
Accept, sir, the expression of my sincere esteem.
(Signed), D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER,
Archbishop of Malines.
Von Biasing Cornered by Cardinal
Goiernor General of Belgium, Brussels,
May 19th, 1915.
To His Eminence Cardinal Mercier, Archbkhop of
Malines.
I am in receipt of your Eminence's letter of the
14th instant.
Relative to the decisions which on two different
occasions I have been led to take regarding the de
sires manifested by your Eminence concerning tho
religious interests of your diocese, you have risen up
in urath against me, employing offensive expressions
in my regard and accusations which I resent as un
justified. It has thus been impossible for me to offer
any definite defense. I shall at last find myself com
.siHr'TSS
u!IIHIIUlUIUillDln!l!lllllllllllIillllOBlll
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P
M I
pelled to refuse to have for the future written or,- j
written relation with your' Eminence or to take i'f J
consideration requests possibly justifiable unless your y
Eminence employs touard me in the language used '
the courtesy which I have the right to exact. r
Up to the present I have forced myself, in atnpl i
measure, to make allowance in religious matters, fca r
in others, for the situation created by the particular
circumstances in which we find ourselves. But I viust i
protest against the way in which your Eminence firtdi I "
pretexts to enter into conflict with me in my chb!r- "
ncter of representative of his Majesty the Emptray, )
my supreme chief. V
offer to your Eminence the assurance of rj;;
sincere r(eei, una have the honor to be your (if- '
voted sen ant.
(Signul)
BARON VON BISSING,
Major Genefal.
Resents "Discourtesy" Charge
1
Archbishop's House, Malines, j
May 29th. 1915,
V
To His Excellency Baton von Bissing, Governor Gcn '
rial, Brussels.
Sir The letter No. 2722. dated May 19th, wih
which your Excellency has honored vme, has coma
duly to hand and I wish to acknowledge It. 5
In order to conform with your Excellency's de
sire, I shall refrain from treating directly with yjii
tho question of the performance of their religious
duties by Belgian prisoners in Germany or by thofto
confined in the prison of St. Giles. 1
But truth compels me to point out that in njy
preceding correspondence I have never been impelled
in my solicitude by any other feeling than the mprlil
and religious interests of my countrymen. For these
interests I nm responsible. T ant aware that I have
sliown a certain amount of vehemence in supporting
the cause I had to defend. I beg jour Excellency to
recognize in mj language only the expression of deep
convictions. In the course of my career, already long,
I have been engaged In numerous discussions, some
times itli friends, nt other times with adversaries:
I never remember having been charged with wantoT
courtesy toward the people with whom I have bepn
in controvcrsv. The fact that my thoughts are cen
tered on truth as it stands might sometimes suggest
the idea that my judgment of facts aims at persons
and their intentions; but may say that that fs.;a
result for which in justice I alone cannot bo held
responsible? y
Your Excellency is kind enough to end your let
ter by declaring your good-will to take a generofjs
view of our religious welfare. This emboldens rocvlto
bring two fact3 to your notice. It is for you to
consider them and to judge whether they call for
your intervention. I think it my duty to mako them
known to you. t
The Baron von Baudenhauscn, military com
mander at Antwerp, in a letlcr addressed tp the dean
of Antwerp, makes certain complaints against thi
clergy of which onp is quoted in these terms: "Auch
nin Fall der Verweigerung der Absolution, weil dsjis
Beichtkind sich nicht verpflichtcte, seine deutscho
Dienstherrschaft zu verlassen, 1st gemeldet." '
What goes on in the secrecy of the confessional
box Is free from all exterior jurisdiction, whether
civil, military, or even religious.
On Monday, May 24th, in Whitsun Week at
10 a. m. in accordance with an old standing tradition,
a piocessiou took place at MaHncs. Tho procession
had been authorired by tho Krcischcf of Malines, JI.
.loehmus. At the moment when this procession ;tiL J
ligious natuie and was presided over by his Lordshl
Mgr. Legraive, auxiliaiy bishop of the diocese, was
making its way round the Grand Place, a Germap
military hand broke through the procession and cre
ated a great din as they passed by the side of thj
bishop, who was cairylng the Blessed Sacrament. ,,
Happily, the clergy and the crowd were able'.ts
restiain their indignation. Nevertheless, their inner
most feelings were deeply pained.
Please accept, sir, the assurance of my since'rp
esteem.
(Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER,
Archbishop of Malines.
Xnt! "Another cafe is reported of a deninl of
nbsolution, because the penitent refused to leave Ms
fcerviee in the German nrmj."
(CONTINUED TOMORROW)
Copurtoht lilt Inj rubllr Lrrtoer Co
Copyright, ( unntla 1919 v Public Lciloer Co.
International Conii Itlit 1310 Vy Public Ledaer Co.
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