Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-13
my INNOCENT PRIESTS SHOT," MERCIER CHARGES:
lRMANS OFFER FAKE PROBE IN KILLING OF CLERGY

~ OAAlNO n
which alone could offer guarantees of impartality,
remained unanswered The scheme for an inquiry was
shelved.
Won Kissing raised the point once again. Only,
without trying to throw light all the horrors which
had marked the entry of the Germans into Belgium he
would have liked to limit his inquiry to single point,
viz, the outrages committed against by German
soldiers. The Cardinal, while he limited that accusa-
tons of this character were not so void Of foundation
the Governor General seemed to imagine, declared
thst he could take part in inquiry about facts
of delicate nature. Won Kissing made pretext Of
this refusal to declare that his Eminence thus recog-
nzed the fasty of the accusations brought against the
German troops again he distorted his correspon-
dents views:
Government General of Belgium, Brussels,
l. No. 1913. March S0th, 1915.
TO His Eminsnce Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop Of
Mdlines.
The foreign press an addition to a tOhole series
of criminal charges hich, for the part, haze
been recognized false, has put foroard lately at
Vorious times the folloWing Craze accusation. German
soldiers passing through Belgium, hate gone so far
to outrage Belgian nuns.
1t is enough to remark that such crimes, If they
can be proved, 1oould certainly incur my
demnation, 1OeU that of the German Govern
ment; but the other hand, justice requires that
everY should be taken to set aside accusations
recognized false
/ venture to think that the sentiments of justice
and the interests of the Church will derive equal od-
Vantage from q full establishment of the truth For
this reason believe can rely your En,inence's
Wtttng support TO second my efforts in thoroughly
sitting the facts.
If your En,inence ,Oould be so kind to forOard
me the documents Dhich you may possibly haze deal
ing Nth the of volaon of in your diocese,
shall then be in position to take whatever further
steps the situation may demand.
present to your Enainence the oppression of my
otoo tad
(Signed) BARON Won Kissing,
Governor General
Archbshop's House, Malines
April 18th, 1915,
TO His Exceency Baron Kissing, Governor Gem
eral, Brussels
Sir-I have duly received the letter No. 1243 with
which your Excellency has honored me and am
sorry was prevented from answering it earlier.
Rumors are indeed being bruted by certain news
papers, and denied by Others about outrages alleged
to have been committed by German soldiers upon
Belgian nuns, and in agreement with your Exceency
| protest against those who thus in lght-hearted
way and without proof spread broadcast among the
people or entertain such odious accusations.
But when your Excellency asks to help you
in throwing light the grounds whether true
false, of these mputations find it necessary to ask
you preliminary question.
Has civil authority the right to institute an in
,qury about delicate matter?
Whom would one question?
The confessor? The doctor? They bound
by professional secrecy.
Should it be the superiors? Do they always
know the whole truth? And if they do know it,
through having learned it under the seal of secrecy
have they the right to speak about it?
Would any one venture to interrogate the Of
Tended parties. Would not this be cruel? Weuld
any attempt to induce the witnesses to speak at
the risk of making known the hapess victims of
violence which would, in the opinion of the public,
bring upon them the stain of dshonor?
So far as ! concerned, ! would not dare to
submit anybody to interrogatory delicate
subject, and any condolences which have already
been extended to me spontaneously, in the future
will be made to this subject, my conscience
forbds me to reveal to others.
Our duty, your Excellency, is to prevent by every
means in power the public from indulgng in such
wanton and immoral allegations; and shall approve
with all my heart any effort at repression which JUS
tice chooses to adopt with those who either of set
purpose or through objectionable levty invent
these tales spread them broadcast. But | think
cannot proceed any further without encroaching
upon the rights of conscience and without also
posing them to violation.
Accept, dear Governor General a renewed as.
of my deep esteem.
(Signed) D.J. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of Malines
"HonOr'' of German Soldiers
Government General of Belgium, Brussels,
p. A. J. No. 1877. April 20th, 1915.
To HIS Enrinence Cardinal Mercer, Archbishop Of
Malines
hare the honor of expressing to your En,inencs
my hearty thanks for yor letter of the 18th instant
! perfectly understand the feelings ,Dhich him
dered your Em,inenoe from undertaking any painful
inquiry in order to ansWer the questions which had
addressed to you. had indeed intention of ep-
acting such inquiry. had reason rather to be-
ieve that If, after Gl these reports had any solid
foundaton the ecclesiastical authorities ,ooud, in