New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-23
One Woman.

Cavel which to-day excites the astonish-
ment of all non-Teutonic mankind. The
woman was guilty of an offence for which
death was au extreme but possible pun
.hmont. Her guilt was not in question
Even natural Indignation should not lead
one 10 overlook the essential fact IN the
case. which the woman herself recognized.
But granted the guilt, granted the pos
sible warrant Of the death penalty, what
could have prompted those in authority,
while neutral diplomats were asking
clemency and the attention Of the world
was turned toward the case TO hurry the
prospective victim before the firing squad,
to seek in the cover Of night disguise
for the deed and in haste a protection
against possible clemency?
Alive Miss Cavell was but an offender
against German military rules, dead, dead
after summary conviction, dead under cir
cumstances that gave the incident the
character Of a midnight assassination and
the color Of an atrocity, she becomes to all
men of English blood a martyr and an
inspiration TO new patriotic devotion
Writing of Napoleon's act in executing
German, Thomas Carlyle said: Il am
not sure but he had better have lost his
best park Of artillery, or had his best
regiment drowned in the sea, than shot
that poor German bookseller, Palm.
l. was palpable, murderous injustice,
which no man, let him paint an inch
thick. could make out TO be other. Il
burnt deep into the hearts Of men, it and
the like Of it, suppressed fire flashed il the
eyes Of men as they thought Of it, waiting
their day which day came"
Now let US concede there was no injus-
tice done. Let US agree that a life was
forfeit. But what was the profit as
against the loss in taking that life. twas
simple for the Governor Of Belgium to is
sue the order. 1t was easy to hurry .
helpless woman before a firing squad. The
thing was as easy as it was sure-justice
was done, German justice was done with
an English woman.
But why was it that no German official
could perceive that only German justice
was done? Why was it that the Governor
could not recognize that on the next day
the thing would be on the lips Of world?
Why could he not realize that for TO-
morrow and for all to-morrows, as long as
the English language runs, his own name
would be remembered only with Miss Ca
Wells?
What is there about the German that
prevents his perception Of the permanent
as contrasted with the incidental? The
Belgian episode was a final indication Of
the same blind stupidity in large that in
little crops out in the new case. Bel
GUM was conquered in a fortnight, Ger
man military power had reason with a
little people in the brefest time but for
how many generations Of men will this
tale be told with horror and bring down
scorn and loathing upon those other gen
crations Of Germans?
There is something almost pathetic in
the German dulness to the things that
move the world. Ii begs, whines, pleads
for the good viii and the approval of neu-
trail mankind. 1t stands almost as a sup
plant for the aims of approval of other
races. But In the same moment, without
warning, without reason, without anything
but an incomprehensible stupidity and
folly, II does something that shocks the
moral sense. the humanity, of men and
women the world over.
1t is easy to rage at this latest incident
There is in the helplesSness and nobility
of a gallant English woman something that
appeals to all that is chivalrous, all that
is gentle and kindly in the nature of men
Of all breeds and tribes. There is m
instructive desire 70 cast aside all re.
straints Of language and Of action and join
in general denunciation, a universal cru
SADIE against an inhumanity so gross. a
brutality so incredible.
Yet such an emotion must be transitory
Since history began deeds such as this have
carried the death warrant to the man anC
n method responsible. From one end o.
D Britain 70 the other, to-day, men are en-
listing because Of Miss Cavelrs fate
Those who family whispered peace ar
putting away the thought and bushing TO
hame at the suggestion.
The thing is ike the Zeppelin raids. it j.
Ike the Louyain slaughter, it is like III
Lusitania massacre. The wrongs done Z,
the women and children Of a race do not
tcrrify the men. They only serve 10 rouse
Che spirit, strengthen the arm. nerve The
Will "Torrib.eness' is but the emptiest OF
Greats and the weakest Of weapons
Americans viii feel deeper sympathy
io Miss Cavell because an American
ministers own words certify TO the enor.
NIFTY Of German humanity For US there
is a plain case. testified 10 by one Of our
own COuntrymeu Tho facts liz clo,r H.