South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-26
SHOOTING WOMEN.

II will be long before the echoes OF
the Cavell case cease ringing in the
ears OF Germany. despite her pre-
tended explanations. The shooting OF
that noble English nurse at Brussels
for the crime OF helping fugitives es-
cape from Belgium is a small incident
in itself. in a war that numbers its vic
tins by the million. But il has been
seized on by Germanys critics the
world over as a deed which sym olizes
the ruthlessness that has characterized
Prussian methods in Belgium and on
the sea throughCIt the war.
In this case, at least, the critics can
not be accused Of cant and hypocrisy
the usual retort OF the German mix
itarists to condemnation Of their acts.
In our civil war we had laws Of the
same sort as those by which the Ger
man military governor of Belgium JUS
titles his summary execution OF Miss
Cavell. But though both northern and
southern women by hundreds were
discovered helping enemy fugitives 10
escape. the honor OF neither north nor
ton. In our wars against England
there were Tory American women
caught rendering similar aid TO the
British. but not one OF them paid the
stern penalty of war.
In England it has been the same.
Not for 29O years has a woman been
put to death in England for the offense
for which Gov. Won Kissing had this
nurse shot in defiance OF neutral pro-
tests. The last judgment of the sort
was rendered by the infamous judicial
butcher Jefferies, against Alice Lisle.
for assisting a fugitive from Mon
mouths rebel army in 1885 The his
tOrian, MacGuley, pointing out the alb
surdity and cruelty OF a law making
so natural an act of mercy punishable
by death, wrote:
It is evident that nothing but a
lenient administration could make
such state OF the law undurable
And IL is just to say that, during
many generations. no English
government. save one, has treated
with rigOr persons guilty of mere
~ harbOring defeated and flying
has been granted, by a kind of
tacit prescription the right of in
dulging, in the midst OF havoc and
vengeance. that compassion which
is the most eudearing OF all their
charms Since the beginning Of
the great Civil war. numerous
rebels have been protected from
the severity of victorious govern
ments by female adrOitness and
generosity. But no English ruler
who has been thus bafied, the
savage and implacable James, eN-
cepted, has had barbarity even TO
think OF putting a lady 10 cruel
and shameful death for SO venial
and amiable a transgression.
This is the view that is taken almost
unanimously in civilized nations 1t is
the view that Kaiser Wilhelm took.
when once the matter was brought to
his attention. lie Immediately par
dcned all the other condemned per-
sons. men and women alike. who had
been accused if the crime for which
Hiss Cavell died. But he could not
undo the vast harm that super-Ger-
man militarism had done furtvely
without thought of the consequences.
As q French statesman said OF Ma
poleon's execution OF the young Duo
dEnghien. 1T is worse than a crime;
j, is blunder''
And it is blunder after blunder OF
this same sort, committed by Pru>slan
militarism in defiance Of the dictates
OF humanity that has aIienated the
neutral world, kept German states
manship on the defensive and brought
Obloquy on the German race.
Americans note with greater relief
that German Americans, with few
unimportant exceptions. have not
sought to defend TINS execution. But
what does the German nation at
home say? What can it say The
natural promptings of German hearts
which at bottom must be as COM
passionate as those Of other races-are
stihed by that same ruthless Prussian-