The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-10-28
SAY MISS CAVELL :
LED WORLD PLOT
Germany JuStifieS Her ExeCu.
ton on Grounds of Military
NeCeSSity-KneW
-. Her Crime. .

Berlin. Oct. 26.-Dr. Alfred F.. NJ.
zimmerman, German under secretary
for foreign affairs, has issued an official
explanation of the recent execution in
Belgium OF Miss Edith Cavell, the Bri-
fish nurse. He prefaced his remarks
by the declaration that he had exHmin-
ed every jot and little of evidence with
the greatest care and found the verdict,
though regrettable, to be just. His
statement follows:
IN the Cavell case I have received
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 courtmartial In the
world would have reached any other
decision. For II concerns not the act
Of one single person. rather 1t concerns
a well thought out. worldwide conspir-
acy which succeeded for nine months
to render the enemy assistance to in
jure our army. ...r
Countless British, Belgian and
French soldiers now again are fight
ing In the allied ranks who owe their
escape from Belgium to the activity 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 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.
Realized Their Crime.
All those convicted were fully cog
infant of the significance of their ac-
lions. The court went into just this
point with particular care, and acquit
ted several codefendants only because
It believed doubt existed regarding the
cognizance Of the punishableness of
their actions. Those convicted knew
what they were doing. Countless pub
lie proclamations had declared that
support of enemy armies would be
treated with seVerest penalties, even
that of life of traitors would be sacri-
feed.
Il admit certainly, that the motive of
those convicted was not unnoble and
that they acted out of love for the faith
erland. But in war time one must be
ready to seal ones love for the. faith
erland with ones blood. whether one
opposes the enemy In battle 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 ua
in soldiers uniforms. Should one such
nave 1allen no one would accuse, US oil
treating women cruelty. So why now
that another woman has met the death
which she risked quite as thinlxingly as
her battle comradesT'
Berlin, (by wireless to Sayville), Oct.
25.-Germany's enemies apparently are
anxious to counterfeit the indignation
aroused by the fact that German sail
ors on a sinking submarine who had
surrendered and held up their hands
were shot down one after another, says
the Overseas News agency. For this
purpose they are gazing widest pub
licity to invented stories about the SEN
fences Of courtmartiai against con-
spirators in Brussels.
The fact is that the conspirators
knew what they were doing and what
they might expect under the law.
Countless soldiers were helped to join
the armies now fighting against Ger
many"