The sun., 1919-10-08

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was desired was desired by the people
l was only the spokesman OF their ma
tlonal soul.
but once again before writing my
letter was in n very critical moment
Having returned to Belgium from Rome
1 learned there that the invaders had
committed, perpetrated everywhere.
cruelties on innocent people. Hundreds
and hundreds OF civilians were killed,
without pretext surely. without nny rea-
son, without any pretence Of judgment
before the sentence. Women and chill
dren had been killed. In many little vii.
lagos OF Luxemberg the population was
reduced TO come old men and women,
all who were young and capable Of rum
ming away had run away, and so found
Belgium at that moment terrorized. The
burning OF Louvain. the burning OF that
city in my diocese had spread every
where a feeling Of fear and terror.
'Then asked myself what to do.
Should I openly show to the Germans
occupying Belgium that we were decided
70 defend all rights to the end? Ny
friends. many OF them. said. If you do
that our situation will be worse. The
might OF the Huns Is much stronger than
our poor Belgium. They would use and
abuse Their might. and cruelties would
follow other cruelties.' In fact, could
foresee turmoil untold. But said. If
keep silent our people are tempted now
to despair Will they not go to dark
despair, and from dark despair we may
expect all evil consequences, universal
revolution with bloody repression?
What to cor 3>.
Priest Acts as General.
'T remember very we'll that one OF my
friends who was a man OF courage but
very prudent. said to me, II you write a
letter, OF course. your intent on 10 that
that letter shall be read in the churches
by your priests In the parishes. Well.
II you like, you may expose your own
person to danger you may expose your
liberty and your life IL you like. but have
you the right to expose the liberty and
the life of your clergy?' l state before
you the question that was before m.
conscience in December, 1914. and my
answer. first to myself and then in my
letter, was this: Are you ght to en-
gage the life and the liberty of your
clersyT answered to myself. in the
presence OF God. Yes
THE Bishop, the chief OF the Church
OF country. is a General. A General
may expose the life of his soldiers and
order hfs soldiers to go to the battlefield
with the permission that they will fall
under the blows Of the enemy. l am a
General: give my orders, and / hope
my soldiers will obey.
And as for the Germans, / knew
them enough to know that II we had
chance to dominate them. II we had a
chance 10 be morally stronger than they
were materially. the only chance was to
Show them that we would not ;remble In
their presence
After the luncheon yesterday Cardinal
Mercier was driven TO Columbia Univer-
sity, which, honoring him rs other Amer
lean universities have already done.
made him one OF her alumni by confer
ring upon him the degree OF doctor OF
laws.
The degree was conferred by Nicholas
Murray Butler, president OF the institu-
ton. on the library steps. In the presence
,of the faculty. the student body and
hundreds OF distinguished guests. and
with perfect weather to make the cere-
mony and the day memorable. The car
dinal was acclaimed with the same fuli
throated college cheers and yells which
have greeted him at Princeton and else
where. and made a brief address. eS-
pressing his great gratitude TO every one
and reminding the undergraduates that
the epoch of the world In which they
shall, arrive at manhood confers a grea,
duty and a great privilege upon them
THE world" he told them. lis not yet
at peace. We hope with that world
peace for a profound peace OF the SOU
| also The preparing of that world peart
shall be your work. and we rely or
| you for perfecting a peace OF all the ma
tions and all humanity
| Another degree viii be conferred or
| Cardinal Mercier TO. day sbyaSew Yori
University. and before going to Univer
| sity Heights to receive II he will cele
brate a poatifcal high mass at st. Pat
/ rick's Cathedral. At night he will at
| tend a reception at the Catholic Club
Last night he was the guest of tn
Interracial Union at dinner at the Hote
Plaza. He will be in this city until Sat
urday. with every day as full of en-
gagements and speeches as yesterda,
was and to-day will be. Yet in one o
his speeches yesterday he expresses
himself on this point
II wish to thank you all for the rest
am having. which I could never obtai
in my own country. There they woul
keep me occupied with administration
but here every day is a holiday