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iu
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irar zzv p tience for da t
OF. RETALIATION, " SAYS MER CIER
flot on This' Earth However," Cardinal Writes Von Bissing; '.'That Wo Iave
Already, for' the Occupation Is Abhorred by Everybody in the '
- World Who Has Seme of Honor" ' .
Explanatory
THE refusal of tho Malines priests to have Iheir identity cards stamped was patriotically in Unu with tho
whole Belgian policy of resistance to tho utmost to tho infamous doportation machinery. In his usual ex
plicit and lucid stylo, Cardinal Mercier explains to Von Biasing precisely why this step was taken.
p Tho Governor General was, of course, shamming. He knew perfectly well and tho piimatc kn&w that
Von Bissing knew that the refusal of many of the magistrates to deliver to the German authorities a list of the
unemployed had occasioned a now procedure. It become necessary then, in order to execute tho revolting dc
lzn3, to identify the employed. This was why tho government decided to, picket the priests. By a process of
elimination the available labor units might bo discovered. The loyal clergy had no tasto for co-operating in
these devious land treacherous schemesA r
The Cardinal's convklion, eloquently expressed in the appended correspondence, that the triumph of jits,
tico was inevitable, had come to bo that of virtually h-'s entire nation. ' 1
At the closo of 191G and the beginning of 1917 ft was difficult to forcsco-that America would so soon 'be
come associated in the defense of civilization, but there were heartening indications that she might play an
effective role in halting tho deportations. Brussels had been several times stirred by rumors of an ultimatum
sent by the President rpgardmg the enslaving of tho B elgians.
The truth was otherwise and yet steps to stop the outrage had been taken. In response to u leport from
Brand Whitloclc summing up the situation the State Department had dispatched a telegram approving the
American minister's course and saying that Mr. Grew, the charge d'affaires in Berlin, had been instructed to
make representations to the German Government on the subject and that tho imperial authorities had promised,
an explanation. The development of tho pressure through diplomatic channels was, of course, terminated by
our entrance into the war.
i
ilM
St(
Liardmal mercier s Dtory
Including Iiis correapondence with the German
authorities in Belgium during the war, 1914 to
1918, edited by Professor Fernand Maycnee of
Louvain University and translated by theBene
dictine Monks of St. Augustine's, Ramsgate,
England.
f
Continuation of Chapter XXX The Deportation
cf tho Unemployed.
POLITICAL Department of the Government Genet al
of Bcgium, Brussels.
r MS. v ' January 28, 1917.
To His Eminence Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of
Malines.
The Governor General has directed mc to inform
your Eminence of the folloiving facts: To enable him
to select those of the unemployed who arc to be de
polled from Malines and to facilitate the investiga
tion of each individual case, the Kreischef summoned
various classes of persons to the Meldeamtt each one
on a different day during the month of December, and
among these were included ecclesiastics. Everybody
enjoying immunity from deportation was inquired
as has been expressly stated in a public notice to
luive his identity card stamped in a special way at
the Meldeamt. The said notice further stated that
any oho hindered from appedring in person could be
represented by another on reasons for his nonappear
ance being given. The priests in question could doubt
less have availed themselves of this regulation, but
they preferred to absent themselves from the bureau
and did not appear on a second date assigned to them.
These priests afterward sent to the Kreischef a letter,
in which they declared that their attitude in not an
swering the summons had been dictated by their un
willingness to co-operate in the measures adopted
against the unemployed. As, according to the wording
cf the notice posted up, the- question of the co-operation
of pricsis did not arise, the motives assigned were
ml admVssible, consequently the Kreischef had to ac
knowledge tfiat the priests by their nonappearance
had contravened hist orders and by sentence of the
Governor General each of them ivas mulcted in a fine
of 100 marks.
The Governor General deems it fitting to inform
your Eminence of these facts. His Excellency cannot
but perceive an open contradiction betivcen the priests'
declaration signed in the first place by Canon Vran
ken and the proposal made by your Eminence to seel:
the advice of tho priests in the selection of the unem
ployed, Jn youx letter. of November- 29, your Emi
nence baid: "Priests who know the common people
better than any one else would render valuable as
sistance in making. these inquiries. Why is this aid
refused?" Taking into consideration these words of
your Eminence, the Governor General finds their re
fusal to obey the Kreischef's formal order altoqclher
inexplicable and therefore regrets his inability to
remit the fine imposed upon them.
I offer your Eminence the expression of my sin
cere esteem and I am yours devotedly,
(Signed) LANCKEN.
Tiie Cardinal merely acknowledged the receipt of
this letter of January 28 from Baron von dor Lancken.
He replied to tho interim Governor General of Belgium,
Baron von Huene, upholding tho conduct of his priests
and pointing" out how odious were the steps taken
against them by tho Governor General.
j
Archbishop's House, Malines,
January 31, 1917.
To Baron von der Lancken, Chief of the Political"
Department of the Governor General of
Belgium.
I have received the dispatch of January 28 you
Were good enough to send me on behalf of the
Governor General.
The answer herewith inclosed which I have the
honor to address to his Excellency deals with such
delicate questions that it appears to me 'more
judicious to write to him directly on the subject.
Receive, sir, the assurance of my sincere esteem.
(Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER,
Archbishop of Malines.
Magistrates Refuse to Act
IVrchbishop's House, Malines.
January 31, 1917.
To las Lxcellency Baron von Huene, interim Governor
General of Belgium, Brussels.
Your Excellency intrusted to the chief of your
political department, Baron von der Lancken, tho task
' writing mo to the effect that you fail to under
stand tho attitude of tho Malines clergy who deemed
t their conscientious duty to decline tho offer of
ning their identity card stamped.
, .j1 "ems to you that this attitude i& out of
Jrmony with this passago in my letter qf November
5, 1910: "Priests who know tho common peoplo
better than any one else would render tho recruiters
valuable assistance. Why is their aid refused?"
fhe military government has sentenced each of
wiebe ecclesiastics to u fine of 100 marks, and your
'tccllcncy declares that to your regret you cannot
"it ratify the sentence.
nitiJ10 actitm oi tno clergy of Malines was taken
n full deliberation just as your Excellency sup
, oses' u,"l their reasons for thus acting were given
ft! K to thu Kefcchef. That tho intentions of
wis gentleman weio well meaning in tho case of
rom ranks of society, .1 do not doubt, but his
netnod of procedure, though welcome to tho.middlo
ord WaS a mennco to tho working classes. In
Mm im orsw,'ze moro methodically and moro surely
t ? Up ot u part of.,tho Be'Elan .peoplo destined
Bi 6f , r meanB qr ipi mo economic inwreats
$1 i.. he. c"eray. d. thttrifore indirectly military
wb, tho occuwiiMf ,iwer onlrd the coRimuual
:
fi
EVBI4. PUBLIC ''LllDdIimr-PHliDELPHlArHBRSDA-S1, JANUARY IS, -HJ25
Comment
authorities to draw up a list of the unemployed.
Most of the magistrates of Belgian communes, fully
realizing that they were intrusted with the duty or
safeguarding national integrity, refused to furnish
under the heading "uncmplojcd" a list of free citizens
destined jto bo transformed the next day into a list
of proscribed ones.
Checked by this refusal, tho military authorities
resorted to a roundabout way. The "unemployed"
not being registered, their 6nly remaining resource
was to register those who were "employed." .What
could not be obtained by direct means, it was sought
to procure by'an indirect maneuver, viz., by graciously
offering a stamp to those whom they wanted to sparo
and thus by a process of subtraction to secure a list
of unemployed who were to be deported.
After-the threat addressed to the burgomasters
came the bait offered to tho burghers. The two
attempts made by the military authorities had tho
same end in view: namely, to bring Belgians to co
operate in organizing the depot tation of their fellow
countrymen. Both were to have the same result,
viz., the snatching from their homes of a class of
citizens as innocent and as free as any other Bel
gians and to force them into exile and to work for
tho enemy. The fact tnat all those hoping to reap
some advantage from tho possession of a stamped
card did not suspect the presence of a hook concealed
in the bait can be readily conqeived. The fact that
men of the world with family interests confided to
their charge did not fully realize all that their feel
ings of national solidarity demanded is not to be
used as a grievance against them; but tho pticst with
whom temporal interests ore as nothing compared
with those that arc eternal; the priest who in his
capacity of preacher of the gospel and official lepre
sentativc of the Christian law would blush with
shame if he failed in his personal conduct to act in
conformity with its loftiest teachings; the priest,
protector of the weakest, has, arising out of his
moral obligations, a keener insight, thus enabling him
to realize that ho would be doing less than his duty
were he not to push fraternal devotion beyond tho
strict requirements of tho common law. Theso aro
the lofty ideals by Which tho clergy of "MaTincs have
been inspired am.1 of which your Excellency has had
a glimrse in the letter addressed to the Kreischef
on December 24 last.
That is why I wrote to Baron von Bissing in my
letter of November 29' "It would be iniquitous to let
deportation press haro" on the working classes only.
In tho sacrifice imposed by the occupying power
cruel though it be and precisely because it is cruel
the middle class ought also to share. A large number
of my clergy have implored mo to claim for them a
place in the -vanguard of the persecuted. I wish to
place their offer on record and proudly submit it to
you.
Tho lines your Excellency quotes from that same
letter of November 29 are in harmony with the
attitude adopted by tho Malines clergy as well as
with all my correspondence dealing with the deporta
tions. "Kidnapping of Thousands"
In my lotters of October 19 and November 10
and also in most of mine of November 29, I made a
protest with all the energy of which I was capable
and with which the love of justice and charity, had
inspired me, against the kidnapping of thousands of
our countrymen. Nevertheless, fearing that the
military authorities would remain deaf to these pro
tests, I added to my entreaties this very natural
thought: "If, ljowcver, you should prove obstinate in
injustice, allow at least our priests to lessen the
evil your acts of violence are inflicting on our peo
ple; accept our co-operation to save what, according
to your own instructions, iniquitous though they be
can still be saved." But this you would not have!
You have withheld your line of action from the con
trol of thoic who, by their social vocation and theiV
daily contact with the lower classes, aro best qualified
to exercibe it. You signified to me personally that I
was not to offer a single word of comfort to thoso
about to leave. ' Forced to submit to your military
regulations, I respected the order.
But there is a barrier before which military force
is held up and behind which is intrenched inviolate
right. On this side of the barrier, it is we, the rep
resentatives of moral authority, who speak as musters.
W-c cannot and will not let the AVord of God be
shackled.
The military governor has had tho effrontery to
fmo nineteen priests 100 marks each for having de
clined from conscientious motives to avuil themselves
of a privilege extended to them. So bo it. They will
pay the 100 marks out of their modest salaries or if
unabio to meet this demand, they will perhaps satisfy
you at tho expense of their liberty. Very well, so be it
onco more. I know the spi-it of our priests well
enough to foresee that they will be patient all the
same. They will drink to the dregs the cup of bitter
ness held forcibly by you to the lips of a people which
has never wished you anything but good.
We will wait in patience for the day of retalia
tion, not retaliation on this earth, however; that we
have already, for tho occupation regime you have
forced upon us is ubhorred by everybody in the world
who' has any sense of honor. I apeak of the verdict
of history; I speak of the inevitable judgment of the
God of Justice. To yourself, who are, if I nm credibly
informed, equally with tho humblest of our workmen
a son of tho Church of God, I cnture to add you aro
burdening your conscience with a heavy weight, in
sheltering behind your high authority an act of mar
tial law which treata as a crime an act of Christian
and pastoral abnegation.
Accept tho assuranco of my sincere esteem,
(Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCIER,
Archbishop of Malines.
(CONTINUED TOMQRROW)
Covyrioht, ltlO. tu Putlh Ledger Co.
Ootnirtphi, Canada, USD. by PulHo Ledger Co.
Wirnatlonal Copyright, lttD, &y libla LtOftr Co,
' . j!
i. t
EXAMINE KAISER DEMAND
Premiers Look Over Text of Note
to Be Sent Holland
Paris, Jan. 15. (By A. P.) Pre
miers Clcmonccau, Lloyd George and
Nlttl will this morning'examino tho text
of the demand to bo made upon Holland
for tho extradition of former Emperor
AVilllam, according to tho Matin.
.tho' Enttnto as mentioned
wircicss messugo uus not ueen ruyuni-u
from any of tbo Entente countries. .Nor
has tho question of a mandate to any
country for tho suppression of bol
shcvlsm In Russia becu under discus
sion by tho representatives of tho En
tente powers so far us Is knowu.
D'AnnunzIo Sued
I'nrli. .Tnn. IB. (Bv
list of German otliecra nnd soldiers nc- 1ms been brought hero
xno premiers wall also Inspect; tuc
I.UOIU Wi VAU1UUU11S Ul WIU lll Ul Ul
and whose surrender will be demanded
from the Berlin government. This li&t.
Is said to comprise approximately COO
w
SUPPRESS REDS IN'RUSS'lA
Berlin Press Reports Allies Will Qlvc
Germany Mandate for Purpose
London, Jan. Ii5. (By A. P.) The
Berlin Press, according to a wireless
message received here from'thc German
capital, calk attention to an alleged In
tention of, the Entente powers to givo
Germany a mandate for tho suppres
sion of bolshcvlsm in Russia.
The Press declares that It Is re
garded as out of the question that Ger
many would undertake such a campaign
unless she received adequate guaran
tees from the Ijntentc. t
Such nn intention on the part ot
A
M am
nniversary
1200
Value
Values
8.9412.91
Other Bluebird
. Specials
3.00 Dresses,
1.69
4.91 Dresses,
3.91
2.50 Middy
Blouses, 1.91
3.94 Girls'
Skirts, 2.94
5.00 Gym.
Bloomers, 3.94
5.00S.00
Sweaters, 3.50
1.75
Value 3.00
Tan Raincapes fea
turing lined hoods
on sale at actual
cost. C-14.
An Extraordinary
Bluebird Opportun
ity. .
Blauncr's Fourth Floor
COAT SALE!
Great Anniversary
Sale Clearances
1592 Coats reduced from our own
fine stocks for this great event!
SECOND FLOOR
119 CoiltS-Pormerly 35.00-39.75 O CLOO
Velour and sllvertone fur- j
trimmed.
SI f fVlk Formerly 45.00, Now C ()()
tones. Tailored and tur- M KJ
trimmed.
1 0 C f nM f e-Formerly 47.50-55.00 Q 0 0
1UU ViUaL3Voi0 siivertone an8 plum- "lfS
etto trimmed with fur. JyJ
57 fnis-Formerly55-00 65.00 ir Of)
xj I viuma Suedo eIour nnd BlIvertone. I"'""
French seal trimmed or al- I J
lored.
1 4 fi f nn f sFormerly C!)-75-S5.oo r C 0 0
1 tu VjUiita Voour d0 ,aJnBf Bllvertono m,a " " v
ttiibeltone fur-trimmed. -' J
911 CfVlK formerly 89.75 110. -
Bolivia, tlnseltonn and elour
ao lame tur-irimmed.
DOWNSTAIRS STORE
1 50 fno fc Formerly 14.75
lurea and dlaronals.
155 fnnfo Formerly 19.75
XkJO ViUaLCJWool vciourai nieit0Us
OxfordB and mixtures,
trimmed with plush am
5.00
lO-oo
14-75
I9.00
mlx-
ray
homo
90fi rfwif-s-Formerly 22-50
ml..
tures. broadclotlin and tnntimr.
otto coatings.
400 fnqfc Formerly 35
'lUU VjUllLOonvrtnnA .11,.,
00
Sllvertone. sllvortono velour,
all-wool velour. chovlot. ker
sey nnd broadcloth. Also
Bpme. fur trimmed Keramt
Coatee.
irt
A',
Clabrlcfc D'AnnunzIo, Italian poet
aviator and leader of tho raid on Flume
by "Irregular" Italian troops, by a
mnfcrr nf theatrical costumes. Tho cos-
f
ehen hero and which proved a failure..
'!.., 4V. nun wan called yesterday tne
In Paris
A. P.) Suit
defendant was not present and tho case
was postponed for two weeks to give him
a chance to appear.
against Captain
Itf tbo "Berlin
tumes, It Is alleged VIn.?n,i
actors who appeared In D Annunzlo s
-i.. it.. ri.Aixnrafniiilifi." which was
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
"Why Suffer Longer? Drink
Mountain
Valley Water
The famous curative water from Hot Spring.
Endorsed by Physicians.
Mountain Valley Water Co., 718 Chestnut St.
rhone Walnut H407
H.rvd it ladln Clubi. Motels. Cfe and P, R. H. Unln
. Sold'by nnt-cla.. erocers. driutgl.t.. ttq.. or direct br .
aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimni liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHia i s.
833-35 Market Street
LixVUIN Ij,Kl)
Bluebird
Girls' Dresses
500 Boys' Wash Suits
2-50
445
Value
1.50
Value
7.19
An immense purchase of (Girls'
Fine Gingham Dresses. Sizes IS-ld
At Almost Half Price.
Well-made Dresses of gingham,
chambray and blue suiting. Full
cut pleated or flared skirts. Very
smart models.
All Wool Serge Dresses
An extraordinary purchase of
maker's Sample Boys? Suits I 7.
The values are wonderful.
Fine gabardine, poplin, linenc and
boys' suiting hand-embroidered,
contrastingly trimmed, pearl but
tons and silk ties. Sailor Suits in
cluded. Very well made.
Kiddies' Wash Dresses
Value 1 O Value
2.00 X J Zf 2.00
Kiddies' fine new poplin Dresses in
pink and blue with white belts, col
lar and cufrs. 2-6.
Kiddies' Coat Sale
3.399.94
Kiddies' handsome Coats of white
corduroy, chinchilla, warm all wool
materials and silk velvets. A va
riety of nobby styles. To be sold
at less than cost of material. 1-6.
4.99
Values
8.9112.91
Full gathered, belted models of fine
all-wool serge, smartly trimmed
with novelty silk. All sizes in lot,
but not in each style. 6-14.
1400 Coats VrVt Off
4.00 6.00 9.00
The finest quality of velour, cheviot
and melton fashioned into chic,
full-bolted Coats. Some trimmed
with plush or kimmerette. 6-14.
Raincapes at Cost
Kiddies'
Sweaters
2.94
Value 5.00
Sllp-oer or coat
btylcs, wtilte and
colors: silently colled
reduced to this low
price 2-G.
2.75
Value 5M0
Guaranteed Rain
proof "Bestyette"
Raincapes In bluo or
gurnet lined hoods.
6-14.
GREAT FUR SALE
A Wonderful Purchase of Manufacturer's Samples
and Surplus Stock at 60c on the Dollar to be
offered in the Great Fur Sale Tomorrow
53 Fur Coats,
Australian Seal Coats in 32
inch and 36 inch length mod
els. Some are plain; others
have shawl collars and flaro
Taupe Coney Coats . . A Qk
Svviigger sports model; capo -- jy
collar, flaro cyfTs.
!
Aus. Seal Coats- Q K
Smart belted lines; deep cape y
collar, llaro cuds.
Seal Coats 1 T C
Pr. and Axis, seal full i rj
length modes. "
Mink Muffs Q
Jap mink; melon, ball, canteen and Zr
fancy shapei. "
Hud. Seal Mull's Q
Of select pieces; smart melon
shape. -
ff f
J J
OO
JJ
flA
- VW
QC
Q j-
.30
(1Z
mAft)' i " V ut'tl - ..-- " ...'-. V ..jlLl-j.AiL K
a i
VALVE-IN -HEAD " iD
j Pr "MOTOR CARS .
Davis-Buicjk Co.
312-316 W. Chelten Ave.
SALES and SERVICES
Authorized Buick Dealers for New and Used Cars
Local Service for Buick Owners
Pbonc, Gerninntown G375
Sale
Value
7.19
Specials for
Kiddies
Kiddies
Rompers,
89c
Values 1J51.50
Genulno bluo-bell
chambrayo and
woven madras. Open
and closed lejs. 2-6.
75c Shirts, 49c
1.25 Blankets,
79c
1.503.00
Dresses, 97c
3
39c Bands,
25c
65c Hose, 39c
3.00 Blankets
1.69
Blauncr's Fourth Floor
values 195.00225.00
129-so
bell cuffs of Nat. Russian
Squirrel, Nat. Golden Nutria,
dyed Taupe and Kolinsky
Marmot.
Squirrel Coatees . .
Natural skunk collars and
cuffs. Stunning effects.
245-00
185-00
275-00
345-00
Hud. Seal Coats..
Chic sports models of tho
finest pelts.
Hud. Seal Coats. .
Smart, practical belted
styles; fine pelts.
Hud. Seal Coats . .
Beaver or squirrel capo
collar and cuflV, haud
faomo selected pelts.
Mole Muffs,
Finest Scotch,
melon 6hapcs.
19-50
tnolo
Blauttefs Second Floor
) Win
w
w
Ji
I
IB
IB