New-York tribune., 1919-10-10
Cardinal Mercier
Is Made Honorary
Knight of Columbus
Belgian Prilnatc Tells of
Plans to Combat Boil
shevism Upon Return
10 His Own Country

Cardinal Mercier became an hon
orary Knight of Columbus of the
fourth degree last evening while 1900
members of that organizations New
York chapter watched the ceremony
and roared their enthusiasm.
The new honor was conferred upon
the Belgian churchman by James A.
Flaherty, Supreme knight of the or
der, at a dinner given in the grand
ballroom of the Hotel Commodore.
Justice Victor j. bowling, William p.
Larkin. overseas director Of the
Knights of Columbus; Archbishop
Hayes and DR.. Harry P. Swift were
among the speakers who praised the
prelate as the greatest hero of the
world war.
"And now We are proud to know
that we are able to address him, not
only as n spiritual father, but as an
accepted bro.her,' said Justice Dow
ling. "For the national governing
body has wisely determined that the
ties OF sentiment which attach every
| member Of the order to him shall be
officially recognized, and that his
lllustrious name shall find a place
among the eminent members of the
American hierarchy who have honored
us with their friendship, honor and
support"
Cardinal Deeply Moved
The Cardinal was deeply moved
when he thanked the knights for the
honor conferred upon him. He told of
the sutferngs that had preceded the
signing of the armistice and of the
even greater sufferngs, in some in
stances, that have grown out of in
dustrlal conditions in Belgium. Many
OF his country's industrial troubles he
attributed to the organized looting of
factories of all machinery by the re-
treating Germans.
CARDINAL Mercier told members Of
the Chamber of Commerce., when
he was their guest at luncheon,
that even Belgium has not escaped
Bo shevik infection and that he has
never seen his people SO dissatisfied as
they have been since the signing of
the armistice
After discussing the trials of the
Belgians during the German occupa-
ton, his emnence said:
cat this moment we face another
danger. The people are fearful; our
are simple. All thought that as soon
as the peace was signed we would be
going on universal picnic. Unfort-
unately things are quite different.
The necessities of life are as dear as
they were during the war and in some
instances dearer. Many Of our work
men have refused to work for the
enemy. Seventy thousand are being
he in Germany, having refused an
sent home when the Germans decided
that they were incapable Of useful
work, and those came back as wit
nesses telling what their companions
mad to suffer in Germany.
Monv Ea 1T orioc noctrovod
"Unfortunately the factories in many
The Germans stole al the copper,
brass, wood and machinery. In the
last months before the armistice, when
they realized their cause was hopeless,
in many factories and in the mines
they destroyed Systematically all ma
chnery. Therefore may l say many
of our workmen are idle against their
own viii.
81 never saw our people so dssats-
fed as have seen them since peace
was signed. Naturally radical social
ism is everywhere working, undermin-
ing the foundation Of society. Bolshe-
vism has not spared our country
"And | think we have all provi
Dental task to assume, you as we'll as
We. We have a providcntial duty to
fulfil; it is to go forward hand in hand.
90 keep lrm inc DdSlS OF social OrQCT.
understand that my duty, as soon as
l reach home, is to give all my powers
to maintaining and keeping alive the
principles of morality and social order.
"lf you can help us to encourage
the socially oppressed, to encourage
the families, the institutions support
ing the family home, if you will help
US to restore that as soon as possible
to our workmen and the middle classes,
you will cooperate with US and we
shall with you in the restoration Of the
morale Of society. And | think my
visit among you viii be something
more than a moment of mutual kind
ness more than mutual greeting with
esteem and affection. High up it VIII
be; it viii have some permanent
effects.
Bespeaks American Aid
81 hope that in the future Belgium,
which is indebted to you for so many
/ benefits, will be always thankful to
you, and hope that the great United
/ States will always support our small
country"
Char es T. Gwynne, secretary of the
! Chamber Of Commerce, otficiatcd at
yesterdays meeting after q long abb
sence due to illness.
The chamber adopted a report on
the high cost Of living in which it was
stated: "a league Of frugality would