The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-25
CAVELL EXECUTION
is CALLED JUST
German Under-Secretary for Foreign Af-
fairs Issues Statement Regard
ing His Findings in the
"Regrettable Affair"

| Berlin via The Hague and London, Oct.
25.-Dr. Alfred f. NJ. Zimmerman, Ger
man under secretary for foreign affairs,
has issued an official explanation of the
recent execution in Belgium of Miss
Edith ,Cavell, the British nurse. He
fprefaced his remarks by the declaration
that he had examined every iot and title
of the evidence with the greatest care
and found the verdict, though regret
table, to be just In his statement he
says:
"In the Cavell case / have reviewed
the decision OF the court and examined
the evidence down to the smallest de-
tails. The result is so convincing and
all the circumstances are so clear and
convincing that no court martial in the
world would have reached any other
decision. For it concerns not the act
OF one single person, rather it concerns
well though out, worldwide conspiracy
which succeeded for nine months TO rem
der the most valuable service TO the
enemy to the disadvantage of our army.
Countless British, Belgian and French
soldiers now again are fighting in the
allied ranks, who owe their escape from
Belgium 10 the activities OF the band
now sentenced, at the head of which
stood Miss Cavell.
"With such a situation under the very
eyes Of the authorities only the utmost
severity can bring relief, and the gov
eminent violates the most elemental
duty towards the army and its safety
that does not adopt the strietest meas
ures. These duties in war are greater
than any other.
Il admit certainly. that the motive Of
those convicted was not unable and
that they acted out Of love for the ia
therland. But in war time one must
be ready to seal ones love for the ia
therland with ones blood, whether one
opposes the enemy in battles or whether |
one commits acts in its interest which /
Justly carry with them the death penal /
ty. Among our Russian prisoners are
several girls who fought against rs in
soldiers uniforms. Should one such have /
fallen no one would accuse us Of treat. 4
ing women cruelty. SO why now that /
another woman has met the death which 4
she risked quite as thinkingly as her
battle comrades.
There are moments in the lives Of
people when consideration for the indi.
yidual Is crime against the whole,
that make severity. yes, hard
ness a duty for those entrusted with
the safety Of their own countrymcn.
Once and for always the activity Of
our enemies had 70 be stopped and sen Z
Ienee has been carried out 70 frighten
those who might presume on their sex
e. partake IN enterprises punishable
Eith death Should one recognize these
il would mean 70 open
he door for the evil activities Of w0m-
N who often arc handler and more
lever IN these things than the craftiest
.py. He who bears the responsibility, I
ioNever. NAV not. cannot do that. I'm
mindful of the worid's verdict b. must
rarel the hard road Of duty ID
II others are shown mercy i VII be 1
i the cost 81 cur army. for g j a. D. !
cared that new attempts will b. made
5 uiure a. 81 i . believed Tossihls
. escape without Punishment - With Z
D. risk of onlr q light sentence only
atg for tire guilty can lead % - anei-
oration. nut admission that tle eEs-
rtaa -antenee uaa 200 sererf tar this
gas. hard a. 4 may sound absolutely
ust and euuld nat appeaf othErsise a.
m intepeudert judge"