The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-01
THE MAsONS AND THE WAR.

Inc lOnoWlnB eAtrAcJS, WHICH nave Deeu
translated from the Leipsic lRustriste Zeitung
of the dates given, will be interesting to the
Masons Of this country, as showing what
their European brethren have been and are
doing to mitigate the horrors of the war now
raging between France and Germany
Sept. II, Immediately after the be-
ginning of the present war, the Masonic
Lodge at Halle sent forth an appear TO French
Masons, asking them to interest themselves
in their German brethren who might be taken
prisoners, and to facilitate their intercourse
with their friends at home, promising at the
same time to perform the like kind offices for
French prisoners. From the French papers
which have published this appeal, it appears
that it was favorably received. A member of
one of the most prominent of the Partisan
lodges announced in the Masonic press that
he held himself ready to assist any German
Freemason who might need help in the re-
verses of war.
Sept. "a, 1S70.-From all parts of Ger
many we have news of the active part which
Masonic lodges in different cities are taking
in the benevolent work growing out of the
war. Not only in those places which are
near the scene of warfare, but also from
those far distant, come these accounts; as,
for instance, the lodge in Insterburg, in East
Prussia, has given up its hall for a hospital
for wounded soldiers. AS O general
thing, the contributions are all sent
to the committee appointed by the lodges at
Frankfort on the Main, and from there dis
tribHted wherever needed. Berlin, of course
does a good share of the work for the
wounded. Five of the lodges there, which
belong to one grand lodge, have together
given G000 thalers from their treasury,
besides about 1000 thalers from individual
members, and they have offered nearly all of
their halls for hospital purposes. And smaller
lodges are equally active, according to their
ability. The lodge in Ludwigsberg (Wur-
temberg) for instance, have established in
their hall little hospital for just four
wounded men, who are cared for and attended
only by members of the lodge 1t has been
occupied since August 14th by four men
from North Germany wounded at Woerth,
and on August Both it was visited by the
King.
Oct. l, 1S70.-The Grand Lodge of Swift
zerland issued at Lausanne, on Sept. 3, q
manifesto to other Masonic lodges, desiring
speedy restoration of peace 1t rejects the
idea that the present war is one between
races. "We Swiss, say they, ''unite in one
language the German, French, Italian, and
Latin, and we, who stand by no means in the
lowest rank of the Roman and the Germanic
races, declare that it is impossible for us to
! perceive that this strife has the slightest con-
nection with any question of race. France
and Germany, representing the Roman and
Germanic races, lose very much this distinc-
ton at the present day, etc, etc. They ap-
! peal for help, mot SO much for the victims
of the battlefield, as to heal the bleeding
wounds to national pride" They remind
their brethren of the civilizing work of Free
masonry-of all that it has hitherto done to
reconcile those separated by political passion
or religious fanaticism, and they hope for the
same success now in bringing an end to this
war as they have had in the suppression of
slavery. The Grand Lodge, formed of depu-
ties from all Swiss Masonic Lodges, has also
sent forth manifesto, calling upon both the
contending parties to consider terms of peace
| Oct. 8, 1S70-According to the Bauhutte
the organ of Freemasons, the collections of
all the English lodges for the families of Ger
man soldiers in the field have amounted to
| 100000.
Oct 22, 1S70.-As from the Grand Lodge
of Switzerland, 80 also from one of the most
influential lodges of Belgium, that of "The
Friends of Man" (Menschenfreunde), in Brus-
sells, there has gone forth plea for peace in
the form of an appeal to German and French
Masons. 1t concludes with the words, cit is
high time that men should keep their powers
| for conquests in the kingdom of mind and of
knowledge We invite you all to %dnite in a
strong effort to restore peace to the world. 1t
| is possible, we believe, to reach this end. 1t
remains to be proved whether the civilization
: of Europe is equal to the task, but it must
not be forgotten that little is accomplished so
long as anything is still left to be done in the
cause of justice. AT the head of the list of
! signatures stands the name of the Burgo-
master of Brussels
Immediately after the surrender of Stras-
burg the Masonic lodges at Worms called for
a subscription among the members of the
Order, for the unfortunate Inhabitants of the
conquered city.
Oct. 20, 1S7O-German Masonic Lodges
have, as was to be expected from the spirit
and aims of the order, taken their full share
in the varied and wide-extended works of be-
nevolence to which the present war has given
birth. We hear from all quarters where
| lodges are found of halls being offered for
hospitals, of organized work in the care of
sick and wounded, in which women also are
of course active, and of generous gifts of
money. After the taking of Strasburg, the
fate of the unhappy people of that city and of
Kehl has moved the lodge at Carlsruhe and
the Grand Lodge of the ''Three Globes"
al Berlin to special appeal for large contri-
buttons on their behalf.
Nov. 5, 1S70.-A correspondent of the
! Daily NeaoS mentions several instances in the
present war of soldiers opposing each other,
and in the moment of deadly peril recognizing
each other as Freemasons, which has caused
them to show mercy to the conquered and
kindness to the wounded and the prisoner.
The Masonic Lodge at Mannheim, on the
29th of September, the day after the surren-
der of Strasburg, placed at the disposal of the
officers of the lodge there the sum of 1000
francs.
The Masonic order is extending in Hun
gary, new lodges having been formed in Kas-
| chan and Arad and also in Pesth a lodoe ea.