New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-15
SENLIS CATHEDRAL
IS NOT DESTROYED
Preservation Said To Be
Due to Germans Poor
Workmanship.
OLD FRENCH VILLAGE
BOMBARDED 4 HOURS
Brave Able Offers His Life That
His Beloved Town Might
Be Spared.
IRON The Tribune correspcndant1

fTrom The tribune Correspondent
London. Nov. 4.-The Cathedral of
Senlis. one Of the most beautiful of the
minor examples Of the sncjes,-,srchi-
lecture OF France, was not DESTROYED
bv the Germans, after all. Ii was not
because they did not attempt il. On
the contrary, they placed their guns
IN the hills st Claimant, three kilo-
metres distant, and though Scnlis was
an omen town bombarded II for four
hours. They say that they purposely
spared the cathedral. but IL is impossi-
bic 70 deny the evidence that the town
itself offers that every house destroyed
by the German shells was IN the direct
line Of FIRE from the guns 10 the cathe-
drsl. Some of the shells fell short
and some passed beyond. and the only
thing that can be said for the Germans
is that none OF their shells succeeded
in striking the delicate, lsce-like Spire.
That Is. none of them succeeded in
doing any material damage. Some Of
the beautiful decorations Of the clock
tower were broken or shattered. the
arch supporting the clock was cracked.
several pieces were Knocked out OF the
bslustrsde 81 the base Of the principal
facade Of the clock tower and one of
the ststues on this balustrade wss
knocked of and its fall broke a gar
coyle. But sll Of the damage was of
purely minor nature. and the cathedral
can be restored with comparative ease.
Despite this. however. the story Of
Senlis loses none of its tragic interest,
and when this story is told in the sim
pie language Of the inhabitants Of the
village the tragedy is heightened by
the very simplicity of the telling.
Il IS the story OF what war does 70
a little country village. the most peace
ful snd peace loving. For that is what
Serlis was-a peaceful. peace loving
little village. not far from Paris, yet
which the modernity OF Paris had never
reached. 10 spoil its rusticity and Old
World simplicity Lying almost con
cealed in a quiet valley. surrounded by
low hills and a gracious, smiling coun-
Try. the world had passed II by. II WAS
one Of those rare little villages that
are satisfied 20 be Of the life of the
country. and the country had well re-
paid il, FOR In the sprlngtime its old
walls and rsmpsrtS were covered with
the Young flowers and new beauty was
added 20 is age.
a delightful picture of the little viii
lsge is given by NJ Robert de Lezeau.
in lie Figaro" Yet he says, at
remembered proudly its glorious past,
though without boastinG. Ii seemed TO
say. Evidently I have been chosen for
Great things: ! have sheltered many
grand sc gneurs and grand danes as
well as kings themselves. who have
chosen TO repose among my flowers
after their work and their pleasures
But I do not wish 70 speak too loudly
Of these memories. One might try to
take them from me- And so Senlis
told her story. very discreetly. TO the
lovers Of ancient things who loved her,
and the tranquil and wise little city
conserved a charm like that of very
old lady who vet retains the freshness
Of mind Of her youth and has many
pretty stories 10 tell her young
friends
Il is u. de Lezeau who has gathered
from the lips of the inhabitants Of
Senlis the story of the destruction of
their village. and if they are allowed
70 tell their story as they told II 10
lin much will be gained. and especially
il the simple dignity of the brave old
able who offered MS life that his be-
loved village might be spared, and
waited calmly and quietly in his study
all the next day for the Germans TO
come and claim their prey, can be pre-
served.
Il was 12:45 o'clock on September 2,
while Senls was bravely preparing for
the German occupation, that the first
she'll burst at the corner of street
near the cathedral. and the pitiless
tombardment continued until 4 o'clock.
The archdeacon. standing on the ter
race before the cathedral. begins the
story Of the German occupation.
ut is by the road from Crepy-en-
Vslois that the Germans come" he
saws. Immediately the major with
several officers goes 10 the marie, where
he finds NJ. Odent, faithful to his per
ilous post, though overcome with sad
ness"
M. Odcnt," interjects a villager,
was 2 brave man. but with nothing OF
arrogance. He would not hurt fly on
his own account. He was too good. II
he had not been so good he would, per
maps not have been killed by these
bandits"
M. Odent," the able resumes, had
not brought together the municipal
council. lie seemed TO foresee his ter
rible fate and 20 prefer to meet 1t
slone The evening before he had sent
his family away and remained himself
10 risk his life.
The German major addressed him
brutally.
care YOU the Mayor of Senlis?'
YES, | am
"'Can you guarantee that the IN
hsbitants will not oppose the entrance
Cf our troops aad will not attack them
in any way? Your life depends upon
YOUR good faith
Village Guaranteed Peaceful.
Monsieur replied NJ. Odent, my
village is peaceful There will be no
violence here, and you can be GER
tain
But at that instant shots were heard
In the outskirts IL was battalion OF
Turcos, who we're not willing TO retire
without a parting word. But the Ger
man major became purple with rage.
"'Whst is that% he cried. 1T IS an
smbuscade There is firing from the
houses Very well. Your account Is
finished"
But the able came TO the rescue Of
his old friend and explained that the
shots had been fired by regular troops
Yes said the major, and also by
civilians. Moreover. Mr.. Mayor, where
arc your notices? Where is your proc
lsmation?
II have not made any