Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-13
Vicar General Summoned

(Signed) D. j. CARDINAL MERCER,
Vicar General Summoned
On February I'd the Kreischef summoned one of the
Wears General. Mgr. Van Roey went to the Komman-
dantur at II He found himself in the presence of
an adjutant who asked him the following questions: At
what place had priests been killed? What day? BY
what troops? Do you aver that they innocent?
Mgr. Van Roey replied that he had not been directly
concerned in the project for inquiry but that as far
he knew his Eminence had corresponded about this
matter with the Governor General with the Kreschef
"Yes," replied the adjutant 1--WE have heard his
Eminences letter. The Governor General has taken
cognzance of it and has sent it to with annotatons
We do not wish to disturb his Eminence again. we had
hoped that you could provide the information we de-
sire"
The interview ended by Mgr Van Roey's declaring
that all he could do was to submit to the Cardinal
the Kreischef's wishes
The Kreischef of Maines
February Sth, 1915
To His Enrtnence Cardinal Mercier Malires.
should be much obliged if your Eminence scould
fr date for 1eceiVing my adjutdnt. He is commits
stoned to ask yor Einence for precise details re-
garding the priests off the diocese of Malines ocho
were shot.
beg your Eminence to accept the expression of
my deep respect and haze the honor to be your
devoted SerUGnt,
NSigned) &. VON WENGERSKY,
Colonel and Kreischef
The Cardinal replied fixing the interview for Feb
ruary 9th but his letter delivered the Kreischef
after some delay that the adjutant was unable to
present himself at the Archbishops House the ap-
pointed day. Won Wengersky told the Cardinal of it:
The Kreischef of Malines,
February 9th, 1915.
To HIS Emnenoc the Cardinal Archbishop of MGJines.
To my great regret have to inform your Emil
that, the result Of mistake, your letter
not delivered to till o'clock this afternoon. My
udjutdnt has therefore been unable to proceed to your
palace at the time mentioned.
If convenient to your Eminence he 1UiU present
himself tomorrow at the hour
beg your Eminence to this mistake and
to accept the expression of my profound esteem.
(Signed) G. VON WENGERSKY,
Colonial and Kreischet.
Agrees to Receive Adjutant
This letter from the Kreischef crossed the following
from the Cardinal:
Archbishop's House, Malines,
February 9th, 1915.
To the Count Wengersky Kreischef, Malines
Dear Count am afraid you did not receive my
letter this morning in time to enable you to your
adjutant. | hasten therefore to inform you that
shall be delighted to receive your delegate tomorrow,
Wednesday, at A p. m (5h. German time). However,
to prevent his taking step which ne might believe
fruitless, think it my duty to warn you that
regards the priests of my diocese shot by German
troops refer to my letter of January 24th last
Accept my dear Count, the assurance of my sin
cere esteem.
(Sgned) D. J. CARDINAL MERCER,
On February 10th, at the appointed hour, the ad,
jutant, Won Fleming, presented himself at the Arch
bishops House and renewed the questions already put
to him by the Kreischef His Eminence answered them
in writing The following is the text of his reply signed
by himself and the adjutant:
The adjutant, Won Fleming, asks me in the
of the Governor General:
C) In what parishes priests have been shot?
(2) What troops put them to death and on
what date?
(3) Is the bishop of the diocese ready to de-
clare positively that his priests were innocent?
The of the parishes have already been
printed in my Christmas pastoral 1914 on page 65.
The German headquarters staff is better informed
than any else to what troops occupying
parish on any particular day. While the popu-
ation easily recognize the German uniform they
for the most part unable TO distinguish the regiments
of which the army Is composed.
have good reasons for my personal conviction
that the priests whose have cited limo,