New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-25
NURSE SEWASSH0T
TODETER WOMEN,
BERLIN ASSERTS
Miss CayeIl Executed to
Prevent Others from
Presuming or Sex.

Zimmerman, German Under Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, has issued an ofh-
cial explanation Of the recent execution
in Belgium OF Miss Edith Cavell, the
British nurse. lie prefaced his remarks
by the declaration that he had exam
ined every jot and title Of the evidence
with the greatest care and found the
verdict just. though regrettable. HIS
statement follows:
81 see by the British and the Ameri-
can press that the shooting Of an Eng
lish woman and the conviction OF sew
eral other women in Brussels for trea-
son have created great impression
ard that We are being severely critl-
cised. 1t is, indeed, hard that woman
must be executed, but remember, To
what shall a state come which is in war
if it allows to pass unnoticed crime
against the safety of its armies because
committed by women? No law book IN
the world, least Of all those dealing
with war regulations, makes such
differentiation, and the feminine sex
has but one preference according 10
legal usages, namely, that women IN
delicate condition may not be executed.
Otherwise man and woman are equal
before the law, and only the degree OF
guilt makes difference in the sentence
for the crime and its consequences.
"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 de-
cision. For it concerns not the act OF
one single person; rather 1t concerns
we'll thought out, worldwide conspiracy
which succeeded for nine months in
rendering the most valuable services to
the enemy to the disadvantage or our
army. Countless British, Belgian and
French soldiers now again are nghtlng
in the Allied ranks who owe their es-
cape from Belgium to the activity OF
the band now sentenced, at the mead
OF Wn4cn StOOQ MISS NdFeIl.
Utmost Severity Necessary.
with such a situation under the
very eyes OF the authorities only the
utmost severity can bring relief, and
the government violates the most ele-
mental duty toward the army and its
safety that does not adopt the strictest
measures. These duties in war are
greater than any other.
"AU those convicted were fully
co-nizant of the significance Of their
actions. The court went into just this
point with particular care and &C
Quilted several co-defendants only be-
cause il believed doubt existed regard
ing the cognizance of the punishable
ness OF their actions. Those convicted
knew what they were doing. Countless
public proclamations had declared that
support Of enemy armies would be
treated with the seyerest penalties,
even that the life OF traitors would be
sacrificed.
II admit, certainly, that the motive
of those convicted was not unnoble,
and shat they acted out of love for the
fatherland. But in war time one must
be ready TO seal ones love for the
fatherland with ones blood. whether
one opposes the enemy in battle or
whether one commits acts in its inter-
est which Justly carry with them the
death penalty. Among our Russian
prisoners are several girls who Tough,
against US in soldiers uniforms.
Should one such have fallen no one
would accuse US of treating women
cruelty. SO why now, when another
woman has met the death which she
risked quite as thinkingly as her battle
comrades?
"There are moments in the lives Of
peoDle- when consideration for the in
div.dual is a crime against the whole;
moments that make severity. yes, hard
ness. a duty for those intrusted with
the safety of their own cOuntrymen.
Once and for always the activity OF
our enemies had 20 be stopped, and
sentence has been carried out 20
frighten those who might presume on
their sex to take part in enterprises
punishable with death.
Women More Clever.
SHOULD one recognize these presump-
,ions IL would mean 10 open the door
for the evil activities Of women, who
often are handler and more clever IN
these things than the craftiest spy. He
who bears the responsibility. however,
may not, cannot. 60 that. Unmindful
Of the worlds verdict. he must travel
the hard road Of duty. That, despite
these facts, leniency toward others who
were convicted and who. according TO
recognized law, have forfeited their
lives, is being considered, is proof of
/ how earnestly we are trying 10 recon-
Contlnuad an naRA 4 oolumn