The Washington herald., 1920-04-04

Germany ADMITS Defeat
For four years Cardinal Mer-
cier was m conflict with the
Germans His Hown story" is
told In a thrilling correspon-
dcnce-
This inrlndes a series of let
ters. passing between him and
several German authorities. In
them not only the great church
man but such figures as Car
dina1 Won Hartmann, Won Bliss
ing and Won der Lancken are
made real
The book dramatizes a seem
mgly endless duel between
might and right Again, the pen
Is mightier than the sword.
II was not until October II, 1918,
that Germany acknowledged de-
feat On that day Baron Won der
Lancken appeared at the Arch
bishops house In Malines.
The chief of the political de-
partment OF the governor gen.
eral had come from his Brussels
orice- He announced himself as
the representative OF the governor
general and the Berlin govern
ment-
Tho denouement Of the Belgian
drama was at hand For q feet
ing second the villain became the
hero OF the play.
Before the final curtains drop
Germany made a noble gesture.
To the aged cardinal the baron
handed the following declaration:
You are, in our estimation, the
incarnation of occupied Belgium,
of which you are the venerated
and trusted pastor. For this rea-
son IL Is to you the governor gen.
eral and my government also have
commissioned me to come and to
announce that when we evacuate
your soil we wish to hand over
to you unasked and of our own
free will the political prisoners
serving their time either In Bel
gium or in Germany. as well as
those who have been deported.
They will be free to return to
their homes; the first batch will
start on Monday, 21st inst. As
this news is sure to rejoice your
heart, 1 am happy to impart 1t to
you; the moro so as 1 have not
been able to live for four years in
the midst Of the Belgians without
ssteeming them and appreciating
their patriotism at its true value"
Announces Glad Tidinxs.
The shepherd announced Won
der Lancken's tidings to his flock.
The announcement was one Of the
cardinals last wartime eommu-
nications.
An episcopal letter was read In
all the churches on Sunday. octo-
ber 20. Joy, at last, bubbles on
the surface of such words as
these:
Malines. October II, 1913
To the Clergy and Faithful of the
Diocese Of Malines:
Dear Beloved Brethren: Our
hearts soar in hope.
Peace is not yet signed, So
suddenly do events follow one an
other, SO disconcertingly at times,
that no one would venture to say
peace was already won.
Its day, however, has already
dawned.
We already see the harbinger of
It.
Remain calm and dignified.
The hour OF definite deliverance
and Of peace with victory is at
hand.
(Signed:)
d. ]. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of MaIines.
Cardinal Mercier's Own Story"
carries a accommodation from
Cardinal Gibbons and an explain
atory foreHord from the Belgian
churchman himself.
Here are my war experiences
in their most tense and vivid re-
atty" Cardinal Mercier writes;
"all the issues / fought with the
occupying power, their methods
and mine clearly defined, unde-
niably fixed in black and white"
The book divides itself into two
parts. The first deals with the
cardinals relations with Gov.
Gen. Won Kissing. In the second
section Gov. Gen. Won Falkenhau-
sen clanks his sword in the ears
of the unperturbed prelate.
German Cardinal introduced.
Before the close Of the first act
Cardinal Won Hartmann, OF CO.
logne, was brought into Germany's
drama in Belgium. Through him
Baron Won Bissing automatically
naneuvered 10 meet and win over
the Belgian primate.
7 take the liberty to forward