New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-05

young men wishing TO join the Belgian
army"
He adds: "The German authorities
would have been quite justified in fol,
lowing the example Of England ana
France. but they have not done so.
purely Social Measure
Contending that the employment Of
the Belgian unemployed in Germany
has nothing TO do with the conduct OF
the war. but is purely social and eco
nomic measure, General Won Kissing
says:
"Great Britain's merciless economic
isolation Of Germany bears equally on
Belgium. 10 deprives her OF raw ma.
teriAls and prevents the exports ot
manufactures, and thus deals a Vitai
blow, leaving masses OF the peop'e
unemployed and bringing a state OF
public calamity TO Belgium
General Won Kissing then declares
that the Belgian people realized the
state Of affairs and that tens OF thou
sands of them have come 10 Germany
voluntarily, where they could get bet
ter pay. others would follow, he says,
but are deferred by influence sys-
tematically brought 10 bear on them.
He concluded by inviting the Cardinai
to study the situation from a soclal
and economic point Of view.
Points to Broken Promise
Replying on November 10, Cardinal
Mercier recalls the promise made by
Baron Won Huehne and subsequently
confirmed by Baron Won der Colt, ana
says:
"The undertaking was explicit and
L. 80 . haf
people have nothing 10 fear that they
may be sent 10 Germany, either TO be
enrolled in the army or employed at
forced labor This engagement has
been violated every day thousand
times for fifteen days"
In answer TO General Won BisslnGs
charge that England and France have
done similar things, Cardinal MERCER
tells him that he should look to those
countries for revenge, not toward q
peaceful and disarmed population. The
Cardinal then denies that the Belgian
workers menaced public order, saying,
five million Belgians and some hum
dred Americans are wondering WIZ
nesses of the dignity and impeccable
patience Of our working classes"
The Cardinal then says that If, as
Won Kissing declares, such labor has
nothing TO do with the conduct of the
war, properly speaking, 1t has some
thing 10 do with the war, Improperly
speaking"
Releases German Soldiers
For" he continues, seven if Bel
gian does not take up arms, he re-
leases the hands Of a German work
man, who will take them up"
The letter concludes as follows:
"Monsieur Governor, at the begin
ming of my letter ! recalled the noble
words of your eXcellency: L have come
10 Belgium to heal the wounds of your
country II your excellency could, as
we priests do enter the homes Of the
working people and hear the lamenta-
tions of the wives and mothers 20
whom your decree brings mourning
and poverty, you would be better able
to see yourself that the wounds Of the
Belgian people are open and bleeding.
1.-TWO years ago they say there was
death, there was pillage, there was
burning. But il was war. To-day il is
no longer war-it is cold calculation,
desired destruction, the domination of
might over right, the humiliation Of
man in defiance of humanity. IL de-
ponds on you, your eXcellency, to ST.
lence the voice, the cries of outraged
conscience.
MAY God, on whom we call with all
the ardor of the soul Of an oppressed
people, inspire you with the pity Of
the Good Samaritan"