The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1916. CARDINAL AND PATRIOT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2794, 12 June 1916, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1916. CARDINAL AND PATRIOT

The perusal of a number of most interesting documents published in recent issues of the London Tablet gives an illuminating insight, into life in Belgium under Gorman rule. It also throws into stronger relief the strength and nobility of charactor of Belgium's groat putrietCardiual whose fearless and heartstirring pastoral early in the war jwon the sympathy and admiration of the whole world.. The documents just published consist of a letter by the Belgian bishops to the bishops of .Germany and Austria, inviting them to participate in an investigation of German atrocities in Belgium, a. letter in reply thereto by General yon Bissing ! (tho Military Governor of Belgium), a pastoral letter by Cardinal Mercier, a letter by General von Bissing to the Cardinal, and tho Cardinal's answer, Tho German Governor, with his threats and bluster, cuts a sorry figure in contrast with the Belgian ecclesiastics: Tho Governor's hate for the Cardinal seems to be restrained by some lurking fear, and ho hardly knows to do with him. Ho bullies and .he threatens, but tho Cardinal, knowing that ho has truth and justice on his side, declines to be overawed. He sees his duty, and does it at whatever cost. Afraid to lay hands on the Cardinal, the Governor vents his spito on the publisher of the Pastoral, who was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. The Pope showed what ho thought of von Bissing's action in this matter by conferring tho knighthood of St- Gregory the Great on tho publisher. What von Bissing thought about the Pope's significant aot has not been recorded, but ho has a good deal to say about the Belgian bishops. • His versatility i| rather astonishing. . In other circumstances it mignt even be hu-' morous. Having shown what he is capable of as. a General and a Governor, he now comes forward as 'the championof the German bishops who failed to reply to the letter from tho Belgian episcopate —probably they wero not permitted to reply to so inconvenient a pro- [ posal. He Ecems to have much confidence in his powers as a controversialist, but in reality his effort is an exceedingly poor one. It provides an excellent illustration of the truth of the old saying that "fools rush in where angels fear to tread." The contents of von Bissing's hectoring note arc examined in detail by Father Vincent M'Nabb in an article in the Tablet. Almost every statement in it is successfully challenged. It emerges from tho ordeal a woefully discredited document. The Governor concludes by stating that he had lodged a complaint with the Holy See against the conduct of Cardinal Mercier, and by expressing the hope that the Holy See will -take such a position as to spare him the necessity of._ taking measures himself. . This is really a threat. The 'Pope is practically told that unless ho plays the Prussian policeman over the Belgian bishops, the Governor will himself teach them a lesson in German sword-law. It must have been rather galling for this Prussian bully to learn that the Pope had just presented Cardinal Mercier with a portrait, below which a dedication was written containing ad assurance to "our venerable : brother, Cardinal Mercier, Archbishop of Malines," that "his cause is our cause also" This dedication must have given von Bissing food for serious thought. The Cardinal's Lenten Pastoral was even more offensive to General von Bissing than tho letter of tho Belgian bishops. The Cardinal's courago is unshakable. All the ter-rors-of German brutality and violence, the threats and warnings of tyrannous oppressors fail to move him. . He will allow nothing to prevent him from doing his duty to his people. A magnificent spirit pervades the letter. "Suppose, even," he writes, "that the final issue of tho gigantic duel 'now being fought in Europe and Asia Minor should bo uncertain, one fact is already established in civilisation and -in history—tho moral triumph of Belgium." What a blow to German prido and arrogance this claim must have been. How dare the Cardinal put forward such a proposition in Belgium, with Belgium under the heel of the Prussian? After paying, a moving tribute to the sacrifices made by the Belgian nation on account of their belief that goes before everything," ho tells tnem that Eb has received "the most thrilling expressions of rcspect, of admiration, and almost of worship, for. the moral greatness, the high-mindedness, the cairn and resolute patience of the Belgian nations." These assurances of sympathy como from tho towns and villages of Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, and England. How galling this must have been to. the German terrorist seeking to bring the Belgium people into submission to their .German masters.

The Cardinal lias no patience with the suggestion that Belgium might have saved herself from the horrors of war by letting the Hun go through after making a verbal protest. He declares that such talk is revolting to him. By the noblestand that Belgium took when the Gorman hosts began to batter down hor gates the world has learned to understand the spirit of sacrifice butter than before, and greater homage is paid to it. "Is not that," asks tho Cardinal, "a great conquest, and iu tho measure that moral is superior to material welfare, are yon not the most glorious of conquerors?" The Cardinal declares that the conviction o'f final victory is more deeply than ever anchored in his soul. "Victory we shall win, have no doubt of it." This emphatic expression of unabated confidence in the ultimate triumph of tho Allies was very distasteful to von Bissing. The inspiring influence of this great Belgian churchman and patriot caused tho Governor much uneasiness. Ho determined to administer a severe rebuke. He sent a letter to the Cardinalj expressing surprise that he would not "abstain from manifestations ivhicli would disturb the minds of the people of Belgium, who are so easily irritated." He. angrily asserted that tlio Cardinal had aggravated his relations with tho Government in occupation and had * indulged in political statements.- Von Bissing's chief complaint lay in the fact that His Eminence had raised unjustified hopes as regards the issue of tho war. The Pastoral thus tended to cause "noxious excitement" among the people, and -to induce them to oppose the work of administration of those in occupation of the country. The Cardinal's conduct was exhausting the Governor's "habitual forbearance," and His Eminence was warned to desist from political activity. The Cardinal's strong but dignified reply shrivels up the petty tyrant. "Permit us," lie writes,' "even though we arc struck with admiration at the warlike pomp that surrounds you,, and at the brilliant staff which, like King Saul, .you have attached to your person, to preserve our entire freedom of judgment." He. tells the Governor point blank that ho cannot, and will not, give' up this, liberty. He will not obey any orders manifestly contrary to natuaal and divine law. 'The only authority ho will recognise is authority exercised in justice. He goes on to say: "We acconl.you tho silent homage due to force, 'but we preservo closed against your attempts the sacred domain of our conscience, tho last refuge of oppressed right." Ho declines to offer any excuses for denouncing the appalling orimes' that have been brought under his notice. He declares that as a Belgian he has "heard the cries of his people, as a patriot lie .wished to allay the wounds of his country • as a bishop ho has-branded tho crimes committed against, innocent priests. The Cardinal's reply is both courageous and crushing. He withdraws noand He makes no apologies. The dignity and moral power of tho letter makes von Bissing look contemptible and ridiculous. Cardinal Merciek stands out as ono of tho most impressive of the great personalities on whom the war has fastened attention., He is playing nis part nobly amd fearlessly. His controversy with the Military Governor of Belgium, makes one feel the majesty of right and the supremacy of the moral law. ' ; It' should be a lesson and an Tnsniration to us all.