Evening star., 1926-01-23

illustrous generals who led the allied
armies to victory.
The role played by Cardinal Mer-
cier was one of the outstanding fea-
lures of the World War. Although
hailed as the apostle of peace"
throughout the civilized world. he
demonstrated early in the great strug-
gle that he also was a fighter OF the
first magnitude when convinced that
his cause was imbued with righteous
ness.
He was in Rome when news arrived
that Belglum-hiS native land-had
been stricken to eartn by the mighty
German advance. Cutting short the
formalities which usually attend the
departure Of a high church dignitary
from the Vatican, he fastened back to
Brussels waved aside prellmlnarles
and precedent; exhorted his people to
resist the invasion with all the
strength and determination at their
command; denounced the Germans
from pulpit and palace. and from then
on continued as one Of the most for
midahle and dangerous thorns in the
side of enemy military authorities, VINO
were endeavoring to shape the deSu-
MES Of conquered Belgium TO the best
advantage Of victorious Berlin.
on countless occasions his cour-
ageous attitude in defying the IN
yadeIs evoked admiration throughout
the world. His devotion to the SUP
iected populace throughout the fFe
most frightful years in Belgian history
nayer faltered for the briefeSt mo-
rnent, even under pressure of threats
and coercion bespeaking violence ana
death to himself. Baron Won BiSSing,
the German governor general OF Bel
eiurn, who ruled over the little king
e-n1 In a
mailed fist, was forced In the END TO
acknowladee that his master had been
met in this mild-mannered disciple or
a cause which made up in glory and
devotion what the fortunes OF war had
decreed il should lack in the power or
cannon and sword.
The famous pastoral Letter of Decem-
ber. 1914, prepared by Cardinal Mer-
cer and read in every Catholic church
in Belgium has been called one OF the
most damning indictments of the Ger
man invasion ever written. The letter
went forth to printer and priest de-
spite every precaution the German
authorities could take to suppress it.
Spies by the score watched day and
night over the prelate and his staff,
for the invaders were aware that
letter containing condemnations Of the
most violent nature was to be read
IA
land on New Year dav. 1915. They
were determined to forestall It at all
costs. but the letter was read despite
their efforts. an dthe wrath Of the
powerful Won Kissing was heaped
upon Cardinal Mercier for his defiance.
Kept Prisoner I'm Home.
Under orders from the generals
office. he was kept a prisoner in his
C.. 1, L. -1;,
was bringing pressure to force his
submission. a mere verbal admission
that the prelate had no intention of
exciting or alarming the population
by the pastoral letter would have sat
isf1ed the governor general, 1t was
said. but no such admission ever was
secured from Cardinal Nercier.
Another pastoral letter. sent out
at the beginning of Lent in l916,
again brought persecution from Won
Bissing.
THE conviction Of our final vic
tory Is more deeply anchored in my
soul than ever" the letter said in
part We will win, do not ever
doubt 1t. but we have not reached
the end of our sufferings. Prepare
your plans. place your batteries, CO.
ordinate your movements. Remem
Der, man proposes but God disposes."
Won blSSluS he" iHlO d "" Ci Is
rage when he read the letter. which
he avowed was IAN invocation OF
the cardinal to God for the extermi-
nation of the German armies"
Purple with Indignation and on
the verge Of an apoplectic attack,
he threw his helmet on the floor,
trampled and kicked 1t into an un-
recognizab BILE mass, then sent every
orderly in his headquarters for
Baron Won der Lancken and Count
Harrach, his advisers. Cardinal
Mercier must retract. he told them
They must secure an apology to
Germany and all the resources OF
the German empire were at their
disposal to get 1t.
Never Made Apology.
Still, no apology ever came from
A little village not far from
Waterloo Briane d'Alleud was the
birthplace of Cardinal Mercier In
1851. The family was distinguished
religious one, several other members
having received high honors from the
Catholic Church.
Believing that he was destined for
q career other than church. the
future cardinal prepared for the
medical profession and upon his
graduation from college studied
surgery under Prof. Charcot at PARIS
Inborn love of the priesthood. how
ever. soon caused him to abandon his
medical studies and seek seclusion ir
a seminary, where he prepared him
self to take the cloth. ~
Before he was referred to as the
Great Cardinal" the Abbe Merciel