THE MARTYRED NURSE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2601, 25 October 1915, Page 6

THE MARTYRED NURSE

GLOWING TRIBUTE BY A CHAPLAIN THE FINAL INTERVIEW By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Ilec. Otcober 23, 5.40 p.m.) London, October 23. Tho Rev. Mr. Gahan, tho British chapjain at Brussels, has communicatod to Sir Edward Grey the final interview he had witlr Nurse Caveli. He says she was perfectly calm arid resigned throughout the hours of the interview. She wished all friends to know that silo willingly gave her life for her country. She said: "I liavo no fear, nor shrinking. I have seen death so often; it is not strange, it is not fearful. Thank God for this Inst- ten weeks of quiet before the end. Sly life has always been hurried and full of difficulty, but standing in view of God and oten}ity I realiso that patriotism is not enough; I must not cherish hatred and bitterness against anyone." At the close of tho communion she softly recited "Abide With Me," and for tho remainder of the intorview quietly talked. Sho gavo parting mes-, 6agcs for relatives and friends. Sho was fully prepared to meet her end. Hor last words were, "Wo shall meet again." ' Tho German chaplain who was with Nurse Caveli at the end told the .Kev. Gahan that sho was brave and bright to tho last, and said she was glad to die for her country. She died like a heroine. _ i Mr. Graham Whitlock has applied to Herr Lancken to deliver the body to tho Nursing School of which Nurs« Caveli was the directress, and learned that tho War Minister's permission was necessary. He hopes to obtain his assent.

BRITISH PUBLIC STIRRED COUNTRY DEEPLY AFFECTED. (Ree. October 25, 0.15 a.m.) ! London, October 23. The public is profoundly stirred over Nurse Cavell's martyrdom, and tho disposition to regard her as a great national heroine increases daily. Probably no personality in tho war has evoked the samo intense admiration. Tho .Rev. Mr. Gahan's account of the closing scenes sent oven a, deeper thrill through tho country than tho earlier reports. All the newspapers emphasise tho German chaplain's tribute, "Sho : died like a heroine."

Already tliero are many suggestions to perpetuate the memory of her martyrdom, including a woman's suggestion that the Queen should head a Woman's Memorial, also a statue and tablet in Westminster Abbey and. St. Paul's. Newspaper funds have been opened. •The "Daily Mirror" on tho first day received over £GOO. Tho "Daily Telegraph" has opened a shilling fund. j Sir George Frampton is offering to execute a stat'ue as a labour of love. A memorial service is to bo held'at ■St. Paul's oil Monday. In view of the earlier statements that Nurse Cavcll .collapsed before she was shot, it is noteworthy that later accounts bear out the official statements of her resoluteness. Reports emanating from Belgium relate that Nurso Caveil faced the firing squad, most of whom did not aim at her, and only one bullet' struck Nurso Garoli, who fell, and ail officer then fired his revolver at her, tho incident recalling Louiso Freenay's death, cabled on October 6.

FORCEFUL PRESS COMMENT London, October 22. Tile "Westminster Gazette" states that every English man and woman has read, the story of Nurse Cavell with pride at the bravery of a splendid woman scorning subterfuge, and with horror and indignation at the cruelty and lack of chivalry which inflicted a savage penalty for a technical offence. ■ The "Pall Mall Gazette" states: "Tho moment when the German officer was firing his revolver into the unconscious form of this brave woman, and destroyed a life untiringly spent in the service of humanity, rias compressed into one dramatic picture all that is embodied in the conflict now convulsing a wliolo hemisphere. No peace would bo tolerable if it failed to ensuro tho final and _ complete destruction of a Power which is trampling truth, justice, and mercy under the heel of foulminded arroganco'and insatiable bestial* ity." _ The "Evening News" says: "The murder of Nurse Cavell is tho foulest blot of all. What will stagger tho world is the ntter inability of the German mind to grasp tho effect of a deed so infamous. The world shudders at that picturo of the insensible woman lying on the ground while her murderer took careful aim."

THE NEWS IN AMERICA CRIME OF UNPARALLELED BASENESS. (Rec. October 23. 8.40 p.m.) Washington, October 23. Government officials aro shocked at tho Cavell case, referring to the affair as most cowardly and unwarranted. The Stato Department has pointed out that the matter is purely ono between Britain andi Germany, and tho United States is unablo to do anything. Gratification is expressed that Mr. Whitlock was able to serve British interests, and sorrow that he failed to achieve tho end sought. Fear is expressed that Mr. Whitlock may have compromised himself with the Germans in Belgium, and no surprise will bo expressed if he is recalled' at tho Kaiser's demand. Tho Press denounces. Germany's crime as one of unparalloled baseness. BLACKEST DEED OF THE WAR. (Rec. October 25, 1.5 a.m.) New York, October 24. There is a wave or indignation and horror in America, the newspapers are denouncing tho incident as tho blackest deed of the war, even Mr. Ridder, who applauded the Lusitania tragedy, confesses that tho German commanders do 'things at the seat of war which even his own people cannot uphold. Tho newspapers publish long editorials castigating the German cold-blooded 'inhumanity towards ■ a defenceless woman, saying it is another blot on tlio escutcheon already smeared with the blood of innocents. The "New York World" says Nurso Cavell undoubtedly violated military law, but only a German or a Turk would have carried out tho dcathsentence. The case is still blacker, because of the official attempt to trick Mr. Whitlock in order to circumvont an appeal for clemency. Nurso Cavell's blood is a Blot upon tho German army and tho Government for generations to come.

OPINION IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES. Washington, October 24. Official circles do not disguise tho feeling of revulsion, though an official protest is out of the question. They can only applaud Mr. Whitlock and declare that the Government, if'annealed to, would have strongly backed him. A SUGGESTION FROM CANADA, (Rcc. October 23, B.<lo p.m.) Ottav/a, October 23. flccruifck? has hoen much brisker

since tlio Nurse Cavell case lias become known. Tlio Press_ demands that, if possible, tho authorities should secure the names of every German participating in the crime, with tlio view of eventual punishmont. WORLD-WIDE PROTEST SUGCESTEB. Amsterdam, October 22. The "Hot Nieuws van den Dag," commenting on the killing of Nurse Cavell, trusts that world-wide protests will be raised in tlio narno of humanity. COMMENT IN DUTCH PAPERS. (Rec. October 25, 0.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 23. Many Dutch newspapers comment on tile shooting of Nurso Cavell. A PITIABLE EXCUSE. BY A GERMAN PAPER. (Rec. October 20, 1.5 a.m.) London, October 24. • The "Voissiche Zeitung," commenting on the trials of Nurse Cavell, declares that the intention of the authorities was to give a lesson to the Belgians not to offend against German orders. ,