Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-27
She Did Not Faint

She Did Not Faint
Here are the essential facts of the
case as | obtained them in the Belgian
capital:
First, Miss Edith Cavell. head nurse
at the Chirurgical hospital in Brus-
sells, was guilty of the offense of aid
ing English, French and Belgian SOL
diers Gas well as men of military
age) to escape over the Belgian from
tier. Not only was she. found guilty of
the oHenSe by a Courtmartial but she
admitted her guilt This fact is cor
roborated by the American minister
and is beyond dispute
second, the execution was carried
out in the usual manner Miss Cavell
did not faint on the way to her death
She was not shot while lying uncon-
Scious. and the firing squad did not
bunGle their work. The published re-
ports that the first Volley did not kill
her and that the officer of the firing
squad ended her life with a revolver
bullet are pure invention. So, too, is
the story that the members Of the fir
ing squad protested at carrying out
, the orders for the execution.
! nave ii from His EXCeilcncy Ra-
ron Won Kissing that the execution
was carried out in the usual manner"
And the Rev. II. S. T. Gahan admit
ted To ne that Miss Cavell went to
her death bravely. IT was horrible
enough without the unfortunate ex-
agecration of details" he said
All Of which ought to put an end
to the many stories Of revolving de-
oils r Al,
nave been circulated in English and
American papers.
Kaiser Could Pardon
Third, Baron Won Kissing could not
have pardoned Miss Cavei, after her con-
Niltion by court martial without eX-
ceeding his military function.
1t Will be recalled that in our Civn
War spies were. saved from execution
only by appeal to President Lincoln. who
interfered in a number of conspicuous
cases. Similarly in this case the only
appeal was to the Kaiser. who had no
cogniZance of the affair until after the
execution. The man to hold responsible
for the execution was Major Gen. Won
Haessler the military commander Of the
district in which the offence was com
mittcd
Fourth, Baron Won Lancken, the civi!
governor, to whom the American minis
ter appealed to save the life of the IN
fortunate woman. could not have done
So. Tie is obviously powerless to inter
fere in military affairs. Mr. Whit!ock
tried to have him notify the Kaiser thot
Miss Cavell was under sentence of death.
As it was purely a military matter he
;,,tnr In
fact. it would have been a breach OF
etiquette if he had.
Il have the highest regard for Mr..
Whtlock," said Baron Won Lancken tc
the writer. we all have the highest
regard for Mr.. Nhi;lock," he added. lie
is a remarkable man. But | am power
less to interfere in military matters. You
must discuss the Cavell case with the
military governor. | am sure he will be
glad to place all the facts at your dis
posal'
II have seen Baron Won Kissing" 7 in
formed him.
Return to Brussels
Then there is nothing l can add. l
hope YOU are enjoying your visit to Bfus>
sells. Conditions are becoming quite nor
NAL again. Most of the wealthy residents
have returned to the city and they are
entertaining quite a bit in their homes
dinners. YOU understand. Yes, there's
quite a bit of entertaining in Brussels
today" And with more good wishes for
q pleasant stay in the Belgian capital
the interview came to an end.
Cen Won Kissing, the Military Gov
ernor Of Belgium. whom | saw IN ms
Office overlooking the gardens near the
Palais Eoyale, was also most polite
and solicitious for my welfare he
greeted me with the most democratic
of handshakes and before / could be-
gin interviewing him he was inter-
viewing me.
so YOU came to Brussels to write
about the Cavell case? That is very
interesting" he went on before | could
interrupt him. You did not find traV-
cling difficult, did you? And Brussels
is not much changed is it? l suppose
Won have been here before" After
had treasured him on these points he
said:
"The Cavell woman was found
guilty of the offense of aiding English,
French and Belgian soldiers to escape
from Belgium. In times of war this
offense is punishable by death in all
countries The Cavell woman was ac-
cordingly executed.
Knew What to Expect
Il may add that she was not
young woman, who did not realize
what she was doing. She was woman
of so. strong willed and determined to
carry out her dangerous work at all
costs. These are the facts of the case.
1t was not necessary for you to come
to Brussels to learn this.''