Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-06
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER ]
First Relations of the Cardinal With Won
Kissing
INDER the government of Won der Goltz September
~ 3rd-December 3rd, 1914), there interchange
of correspondence between the Cardinal and the Gov
ernor General. Their relations limited to
change of mutual visits.
Shortly after the arrival at Brussels of the first
German Governor, the Cardinal called upon him and
asked him to intercede with the Imperial Government
for the repatriation possible of the priests
and teachers who had been depored the time of the
invasion. He drew his attention to the fears of the
Begians remaining in the country and of the refugees
wishing to return to Belgium who dreaded seeing their
young deported to Germany for the purpose pre-
sumably, of being incorporated in the ranks of the
German army. The Cardinal had already started ne
gotations this subject with the Governor of Ant
werp, General Won Huene. AS a result of these Won
Huene had entered into agreement applicable to the
province of Antwerp according to which, ~ the civic
guards having laid down their arms would not be
moleSted, (2) young would neither be deported
Germany nor in pressed into the service of the
German army. The Cardinal, during the of his
visit, requested Won der Gotz to ratify this agree
ment to extend its application to the whole country
and to guarantee it's observance by whoever might be
his successor The Governor promised to give the
Cardinals wishes his favorable consideration.
Governor General Goes to Malines
The very next day the Governor General in person
went to Malines with his reply He promised to all
deported priests and teachers AS regards Won Huenes
agreement, he did not hesitate to ratfy it and extend
it to the whole of Belgium He much less explicit
about binding his successor any course of action
I'VE have use," he added, "for young Belgians;
their presence in ranks would be danger to u.s.
The Governor expressed his wish to normal life
stored at early date. The Cardinal answered that
it was his wish also but that the people too
deeply impressed by the tragic events which had marked
the beginning of hostites to allow them to feel any
confidence. He insisted particularly the arbitrary
proceedings which responsible for the massacre
of 140 victims at Aerschot This threw the General
into embarrassment which he altogether failed to
disguise. The interview ended with the mutually
pressed wish to see the schools reopened.
On December 3rd, 1914, Won der Goltzs place was
taken by Won Bssing. Hardly had the new Governor
been appointed when he realized that the task he had
undertaken, and which he knew be hard one would
be made much easier for him if he succeeded in check
ing the growth of any hostility the part of the Bel
gian clergy and their superiors. But he wary.
He knew how unanimous the feeling of Belgian
priests and bishops in face of the invaders obtain
his end he took roundabout way Instead of address
ing Mgr. Mercier directly, he wrote to Cardinal
Hartmann, Archbishop of Cologne whom he had known
for long time and asked him to intervene in his favor
with the Belgian primate.
Letter to Cardinal UOn Hartmann
The following is the letter which he sent to him on
the day after he took up his duties:
The Governor General of Belgium
Brussels, December 4th, 1914.
To HIS Eninence Cardinal von Hartmann, Cologne.
Your Eminence aUH haze heard, no doubt, of my
nomination to the post of Governor General of Bel
giaan. 1t is mission by uhich | much honored
but the task aohich have undertaken by accepting
is IN every respect difficult one; it is only natural
then that should try to find influential persons soho,
though they may not be able to support me in the
jatfHment of this duty get lOiU be anxious not 10
increase the difficulties of it. In large part OF
Belgium, the Catholic clergy represent force whose
Importance cannot be overrated; therefore, should
lot tn fiUfiO n1yifb ham bas~
heads not only IN the interests of ny mission but
hke1oise IN the interest Of the country and of the
Catholic population. In order to pave the aoay for
these relations address yor Entinenoe ashinq you
to be so kind to inform the Cardinal of Malinss
that should be very pleased to enter into personal
relations ith him. s0heher 1t be that he give me an
opportunity to haze an Interview NTH him at Ma.es
for long the time at my disposal aIos0s or that
he WI haze the Kindness to pay vtsit at Bras
sels.
I hope to conv,,ce him during oar imtervieso that
am determined to do all IN mY poOer to satisfy the
claims of the Catholic Church, but the other hand
crpect him to recognise the earnest aciah aohch s-
spires to attach supreme Importance aevidtisg
the misery 10hch present circumstances haze erected
IN Belgium, though, of course, safeguarding at the
same time military interests. take the liberty
to inform your Entrence that the head chaplain,
Doctor Mttendorf, yesterday his mission, Is to
saperviee and ertend the aOor of the Catholic chap
IainS and to to ii that the spiritual 10ats of the
troops Of occupation and of the auounded be
IN toise neglected. The Chaplain General has re-
ceiped the needful Instructions from the Catholic
IFeldprObst'; have supplemented them and IN
agreement oith his superior, haze recommended
him to get into touch Nth the bishops as soon as pos
sibe an the course of his tour through Belgium
erpect from this line of conduct tt0ofold ycs
suit: hope that ny intentions and n,y actions soiL
be IN accord NTH the Wishes of your Eminence and
also promote the general tUedl
Wishing to convey TO your E~llence my pro-
foundest respect haze the honor to be your Emit
nence's most devoted servant.
The Governor General of Belgium,
(Si1neD BARON FON Kissing,
Cavalry General