Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-24
Archbishop's House, Malines,

March 6, 1915.
TO His Excellency Baron Won Bissing Governor Gem
eral, Brussels.
Sr-Having returned few days ago to Belgium,
l deem it duty to thank your Excellency with all
sincerity for the facilities you granted for
complishing my journey to Rome could only con-
graulate myself, both in going and coming back,
the courteous attentions which shown me
throughout my journey and at the frontier.
Your Excellencys dispatch No. 2O21, February
30, reminds me that the date December 3, / said
l had not been able to carry through an nvestiga-
tion which had then been requested of about the
sermons of the Rev. Wttemberg, vicar of ST. Alice.
AS matter of fact did not know UP TO now and
still do not know what the exact grievances
about which ought to institute investigation But
this time your Excellency calls my attention to
sermon preached by the same NJ. Wittemberg on Feb
ruary 49, and you give details of the theme for which
the preacher is held blameworthy. I forthwith
moned the vicar to the archbishops house and this
is in substance the explanation he has given "The
gist of my Sermon" said he twas to comment
the parable of the grain Of mustard seed and the
leaven. l expatiated the wondrous growth of the
church from its very beginning and the transforma-
tion effected in the world by the preaching of the
gospel. In my peroration, l spoke of the prestige
Of the papacy at the present time. All eyes are
turned Benedict XIV All nations vie with
another for his sympathy. Till now Belgium had had
opportunity to make the voice of her bishops heard
but archbishop and another member of the Belgian
hierarchy in Rome. We must all have confidence
in them 1t is, Of course, difficult for the Holy Father
to see the truth in the midst of different and often
opposite versions, which to him from every side
But let us be of good hope; already there is lumor
afoat that his Holiness has told the bishop of Namur
that if he day invited to the peace negota-
tons, he would put down first condition the lib
Grafton of Belgium"
The vicar protests that he has not accused the
German nation Of lying and that he has said nothing
to suggest the idea of territorial conquest.
There have probably been two misunderstanding.
The first passage gave rise to the first and the Sec
ond passage to the second.
The vicar offered to give me, if wanted, the
notes which he made of in preaching. | deemed
it superfuous to ask him for them, but if your Ex-
cellency desires supplementary explanations, shall
think it my duty to accept the offer which has been
made to me.
Accept, dear Governor General the expression Of
my sincere esteem.
(Signed) D. J. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of Malines
Government General Of Belgium, Brussels,
p. A. j. $3.50. March ., 1915.
TO His Eminemce Cardinal lfercier, Archbishop of
Malnes.
As sequel to my letter p 4. l. 2121, of Fe6ru-
jy 29 bring this to your Eninences notice that tho
Vicar Wittemberg, of the Church of st. lice, IN
Brussels has been guilty of new misdemeamor By
making IN his sermon of February 27 statements of
political nature Consequently, beg yotr Eminence
10 let knoV at once Whether may rest quite
sured that the Vicar Wittemberg tciH be compelled
By ecclesiastical authority to conne himself Cithin
the limits of his ministerial office.
I offer TO you' Eatiaence the expression Of my
sincere esteem.
(Signed) BARON VON Kissing,
Lieutenant General.
This letter remained for the time being without an
answer.
The controversy about patriotic acts was not how
ever, ended 1t will again be the subject of long dis
cussions between the Cardinal, the Governor General
and the head of his political department, Baron der
Lancken.
CONTINUED FRIDAY
Copyright LedQe ca.
Copprt0ht, Condd1, 1919, Jg Public LcdOer Co..
International CoDyT1Dh 1919, by Public Ledger Co.