Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-28

Continuation of Cardinal Mercer's letter to Baron
Won Falkenhausen.]
HARDLY had he arrived in Brussels when the Gov
IL ernor General Baron der Gotz proclaimed
that Belgian citizens desirous of peaceaby following
their occupation had nothing to fear from the troops
or the German authorities and invited country
men to resume their commercial activities to reopen
the factories and to gather in the harvest
Quotes Won Bissing
Under date April %, of last year, the late
Baron Won Kissing made the following communica
ton to the Belgian public:
with view of insuring the victualing Of the
people have determined henceforth to prohibit in
the territory under my authority the expectation
of all foodstuffs. All these products, provided they
be Belgian, will therefore be reserved for the pop
ulation of the territory dependent on MY admin
istration!"
Every time, either in the beginning in the
course of the occupation the fulfilling Of our pas
tora duty has compelled to draw line of
demarcaton between permanent duty of low
atty to the legitimate government on the one hand
and the acceptance of the temporary regulations
issued by the occupier the other, the represent
atives of your government have appealed for their
own advantage to Article 43 of The Hague conven-
ton. This article, it is we'll to remember, is con-
ceived in these terms
"Articlc "a. The authority of the legal power,
having de facto' passed into the hands of the oc-
cuper, the latter shall do everything in his power
to re-establish and insure as far as can be- public
order and public life by respecting, unless abso-
utely prevented, the laws in force in the country"
The reason why international law recognizes in
the occupier power de facto is therefore quite def
nite ito re-establsh and insure, far can be- pub
lie order and public life" The limits of the exercise
Of it are Defined "To respect unless absolutely pre-
vented, the laws in force in the country"
Whoever holds the power, therefore, will find in
this Article 43 both the basis and the limit of his
sponsbilities. Moreover Article 43 clearly defines
the obligatory destination of the resources of the
country The occuper may not seize or claim them en-
cept for "the wants Of the army of occupation"
These two articles give the key to the solution
Of the knotty problem of providing the country with
foodstuffs and fIel.
Our own painful experience shows that the
German administration has erred in ntrustng to the
Centrals" the exclusive control of the supplies OF
potatoes, coal, sugar, cereals, fats, ETC.
Means of subsistence and heating not lacking,
yet the people badly fed and the means OF
heating very poor. Where does everything not In
tended for their consumption go? In the of pub
lie order and public life, which your government
pledged itself to maintain when it took the power in
hand, in the name of people suffering hunger ana
cold, we implore the General Government to resO-
lutely abolish the "CentraIs" whose procedure is so
fatal to Belgian interests and to conde the control
Of supplies for country either to permanent depu-
tatons agreeaby to the Belgian laws OF August a,
1914 to the national committee under the super
vision of ministers who will protect Belgian interests
This letter is addressed to the Governor Cen
eral with feelings of Difference and hope. No doubt
what ask him for is no favor, but when the in
terest of workers families and small householders
is at stake it does not cost pastor very dear to
join to his lawful claims an earnest prayer Besides
Is not your Excelency bound to admit that in doing
us justice you are falling in with the wishes of your
own countrymen? If the latter, we firmly believe
have not given up all hopes of one day renewing
commercial relations with Belgium, is it not natural
c1n frnch nj
discord and bitterness, but rather leave behind you
some last remembrance which will speak of justice?
Please accept the assurance of my sincere
esteem.
(Signed) D.J. CARDINAL MERCER,
Archbishop of Malines