Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-17
Archbishop's House, Malines,
Jon,or,, 1G 1917


January 16, 1917.
To His Excellency Baron der Lancken, Chief OF
the Political Department, Government General
Brussels.
Dear Baron-For a long time have wanted to
revert to the Governor Generals esteemed letter,
dated November 25, 1916, in which he complained OF
certain demonstrations, unseemly beyond all reason,
which, according to reports made 70 him, took place IN
several Brussels churches. In this letter his Excel
lency mentions the singing of the "Brabanconne, ma
tional flags being unfurfed and waved, and otner
secular melodies rendered in church, ETC. He in
vited to prohibit them to save him the trouble
of forbidding them himself. have received nforma-
ton from reliable and have not succeeded IN
finding single church. either in Brussels itself or in
the surrounding district, where the above mentioned
abuses prevalent. | am aware that
Baron Bissing is absent and that is the reason
why have put off till the present correspond
ence; but possibly he took you into his confidence
ere leaving and you would therefore be in po-
sition to specify the churches he had in view.
embrace this opportunity of bringing to your
notice certain events you interested in or in which
you would be perhaps willing to interest yourself
The chaplain of Luttrnghausen prison induced
Canon Loncn to petition for the remission of the last
three months of his sentence Canon Loncn writes to-
his family that his appeal has been rejected
Again, M. PAbbe Herman, and dean of Orp-
le-Grand, a venerable priest of sixty three years of
age and invalid, has undergone first at Rhein-
BACH then at VAIN (Rhld) thirteen months impris-
onment for humane acts which every man who is
not absolutely heartless and so4 more every priest
devoted to his country was obliged to perform;
had raised my hope of his release and even the Holy
Father deigned to interest himself in his So far
the wretched cartive has, he informs me, not
CLEAN of hope. Shall be compelled to tell him that
he must serve the remaining nine months of his
tence? The Able Bernaerts too, who is so indspen-
sable for his parish and the social work of which he
director at Antwerp, is still nterned. I endeav
ored to visit him the 7th inst, but was denied
access to the prison. You will remember that
of mysterious character certainly without search
warrant examined in the of an officer Able
Bernaerts's confidential papers-an incident have
already brought to your notice. Nav l ask you
whether the inquiry has been fruitful of results?
You must have heard that the mayors and leading
citizens of several communes in the province of Ant
werp interned at Malines, because workmen
III their respective communes have evaded deporta-
tion. Among those internod is old man of eighty
do not wish reopen the discussion of deportation
itself for the present but, the temperature being
what it is, you in the name of humanity, justify
the detention in icy cell of venerable octogena
rian?
But there is something else even more nhuman
than this. poor woman named Madame Wilputte,
who is about to become a notwithstanding to the
doctors within the next fornight-is lodged in the
cavalry barracks in Maines and notwithstanding her
condition. the local au horites have made known to
her their intention to have her carried off Ger
many Immediately
Is such conduct conceivable? Can you do moth
ing to put stop to it? .,
Please receive the assurance of my sincere
(Signed) D.J. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of Malines.
The chief of the political department contented him
self with replying follows:
Political Department of the Government General of
Belgium, Brussels January H. 1917.
S. No. 1897.
To His Erninemce, Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of
MoEncs.
haze to acknowledge the receipt of your esteem
ed letter of the 10th inst. The GoUenor General aUU
still be array for time. Nevertheless. am able
to give the desired Information about the patriotic
demonstrations 1ohich made in churches The IN
cidents mentioned IN the Governor Generals letter.
Mary's Church at Schaerbeek. During the II o'clock
seruice procession formed inside the church IN
aUhich the Belgian flag 1vas carried around This
ceremony aCas repeated IN the church on Junu-
arg 7.*
These particulars qVM suffice to guide your Exti-
IN seeking supplementary info nation should
like hoceUer to add that If these demonstrations con-
tnue, their authors not be surprised if then in
seUere penalties, for it is proved fGct that the
leniency haze hitherto Sho10n has guen rise TO an
increase IN ceremonies of this kind in church, the ten
dency of aOhich is OBVIOUSLY POLITICAL
As / am the point of going on a jour1acy for q
teO days, am sor1y can giue yo,w En,inence no
eract Information to the other matters dealt qrtb
IN your letter. hOpe ho1Uever, to be able to obtain
the necessary authority for you to visit Able Ber
naertS Moreover, har" taken certain steps in fayor
of the Cure Herman and the Malines people a,adey.
arrest, and y return shall be able to qil,s vo1,
E0linence fuller details.