Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-14
CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP
WILL NOT QUIT RHEIMS
ing City, Despite Raining
OF Shells.
DENoUNcEs BARBARlsM TO LOTT
Famous French Author Describes
Scene-Converses With Old Wood
cutter-Soul OF France-At Old
Chateau.
BY PIERRE LOTT.
TRANSLATED by j. j. Hosdan.)

was crying an old woodcuttcr in a
tone of mourntul iliocy. as - came
w the roal hending IN Ter a fago, o.
larch-tree branches.
Alas, alas. to see Rheims burning
and TO be unable to do anything!
to recall our marvellous past. our times
of radiant faith and Of pure art;
And to think that by his sole power
an old dcmoniac Of Germany. in the
delirium OF his senilc rage, has been
able to decree and consummate the
humiliation Of these sacred relics,
Truly, he must have lost all sense
of shame in the commission Of this
crime. TO have dared this deed, as i'm
beetle as 1t is monstrous: to burn
Rheims!
And for many moments l looked, to
the northern horizon. upon these dole
full fumes. in which the soul of old
France seemed to be brcathcd out and
to vanish.
1t is known that the cardinal arch
insisted upon remaining amidst the
last OF the inhabitants. near the
crumblins baslica. in order to bring
consolation. courage. hope. not only
into the depths of narrow caves, but
also in the streets, and in the open
places where bombs were rcapinE
their harvest. And. even until the day
when the bombs. which fell in tor
hai nriC
the French authorities. respecting his
sublime stubborncss, let him remain
there in the proximity of fire.
But the order came nevertheless that
he had to leave. and he took refuge
In neighborng village. quite secure.
where one could still hear thu BON
bardment on the tanks making inc
noise OF its continual thunder
II is to this retreat that have gone
to-day to ask OF him the honor OF an
Interview.
There it lies. on the road TO Rheims.
a village which is a little corner OF
the past; old houses. an old chateau,
an old church It's outskirts are filled
with military vehicles and soldiers: the
,gld church itself seems TO DC in .
Jattlc array. with it's wooden panels III
Il manner of stained windows, and
hove all the cottages, inscriptions Of
Ill omen recall the menace which hangs
over the whole region: Cave -rctrcat
from bombardmcnt for twenty persons,
or for fifty, or for a hundred"
To-day, however. everything is quiet:
the late spring Of this year Is APP
parent in the country by the cold
looking greens. still almos, pale under
warm and black sky where the fer
tile showers lie hidden. And the birds
sing, despite the deep rumbling OF the
artillery. which has become for them
as for us form OF silence.
asked my way OF some good people:
The Archbishop of Rheims" they re-
piled to me. assuming a respectful tone
In speaking Of him-'thc archbishop.
yes. he is here at the chateau Keep
on going UP. and then turn to the
left and you will see the great cato
before YOU
The gate is open. and enter into
an immense old garden. planted in
the manner Of the old days, where
the greens. all fresh. stand out clearly
against the somber clouds
wing or the chateau presents 1t
self TO me. the doors also open in evil
dent confidence w&.hout ;bcms or
knockers. and I anr.-afsai, OF no, md
Ing any one.
Finally grayhaircd servant ap-
peared. whom | believed | rccognized;
It was he who. with his great big
keys. used TO open the doors Of the
basil!ca for me of old, where even At
that time the bombs and stones wero
falling. His Emincncc. who had been
expecting my visit. as he to!d me re-
oe!ved me in his room. on the first
floor.
1t was simple room. bu, ot a
rather manoriai simplicity, with It's
great dimensions and its old furniture
which one felt had always been there
and in tho same places. The cardinal.
archbishop, who was seated toward the
further end, Al his desk. arose. and then
ray Of light fell in TO illuminc the
snowy wh!tencss OF his hair, which
escaped from under the striking red
>,.of his little s!lken skuil-cap. Then /
recognized his face. which had been so
often reproduced in pictures since he
had become a hero; with MS beautiful
expression Of goodness and upright
ness. and withal Of mysticism he had
the appearance OF stained glass win =
dow saint. somewhat crudcIy fashioned
by the artists OF tho past
He bent his shoulders, AS If under
the weight Of 4 grief too overwhelming.
and at flrst spoke very low in a hushed
voice; perhaps there was also touch
OF mistrust 10 be devincd underneath
the courtesy Of his receipt r; perhaps
he imagined tina, ! was "a rgcd win
some mission toward hin, while in
fact i had come OF my own accord. IN
he q NJ