New-York tribune., 1919-03-29
Cardinal Mcrcicr
Coming Here in MAY
TO Thank America
Belgian Prelalc Announces
Intention Of Making Trip;
Hopes to Meet Wilson,
Says II. of G.. Worker

Desire Cardinal MERCER Will arrive
~ the United States In May to ex-
press in person the gratitude of the
people of Belgium to America. This
announcement was made yesterday by
William j. Mulligan, chairman of the
WAY Activities Committee of the
hnlghts of Columbus. Mr. Mulligan
has just returned from a three months
trip of inspection through the war
zones Of France. Belgium and Germany.
"lnformally Cardinal Mercer eX-
pressed the thanks of himself and his
people to me-" Mr.. Mulligan said. Our
ing our two visit he spoke warmly
and IN the most appreciative terms Of
the great work done by our American n
boys in the field He did not forget
also to dwell upon the fact that long
before we entered the war America
vas collecting and sending over the
1000 and clothing which saved the peo-
pie of Belgium. a
u extended an invitation to him to
make his visit under the auspices of
the knights Of Columbus. He expects
10 nave the opportunity of being re-
celved by the President during his
visit. Cardinal MERCER received me in
ms drawing room at Malines, which
displays hole in the wall from roof
to cellar, where German bomb land
ed" ''N
Speaking Of the American army in
the war zone, Mr.. Mullgan said "Their
sole thought is, when are we going to
get home :? They want to get back to
their families and their jobs, and that
thought is more often in their minds
than speculations as to the league of
nations and the Paris conferences.
They are not dissatisfied with the treat
ment accorded them by the French peo
pie. as has been rumored. The friend
lest of relations exists
"Conditions have been greatly i'm
proved at the embarkation camps.
SAILED from Brest. and found showers
and other conveniences for the men
there. The soldiers did not complain
OF the food at the Brest camp or on the
transports coming home. The same can
be sad OF the other embarkation camps.
"The fortitude shown by the wounde d
was wonderful. No matter how badly
they were hurt they denied vehemently
they We're suffering, and all said they
were glad to have made the sacrifice.
Not man of the Expeditionary Force
is coming back sorry he went"
The British and French armies are
being demobilized equally as fast as
the American army, Mr.. Mulligan said
lney are being promptly returned
to civil life he continued. "This was
an open winter, and the French farm
ers already are working on the battle
felds, preparing them for the next crop.
However, the destruction had been
terrible, and it will require a genera
ton to rebuild the devastated portion
or france. was present in Metz
when three thousand French soldiers
who had been prisoners in Germany
marched home again
BY contrast with war-torn France.
Germany looks prosperous Business
was gong on at Coblenz and other
towns as though there had been no
war The people seem to have accepted
the change of government without ex-
cltement and appear unworried by the
Bolshevik movement | saw no evidence
of Bolshevik disturbances.
Mr.. Mulligan said that the activities
of the knights Of Columbus forces
were continuing unabated among the
uniformed men, but the organization
contemplated no work among the civil
population Of Europe at this time.
'The greatest harmony exists among
al the welfare organizations on the
other side" he said "There seems 10
be some talk about friction and dis
p&ragement over here, but over there
all are wroking together.
There is no truth in rumors that
there is lack OF cooperation between
the French and American peoples in
a diplomatic sense. On the contrary
there seems to be every cooperation"
General Pershing, Mr.. Mulligan said,
had requested that he remain in France
and complete the work of reorganizinr
the X. of c. forces there. The REQUEST
has been transmitted to the Knights of
Columbus through the War Depart
ment, and Mr.. Mulligan plans to return
to Europe in April.