GERMAN VANDALISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1302, 24 September 1914, Page 2

GERMAN VANDALISM.

DESTRUCTION OF RHEIMS CATHEDRAL. London, Sept. 22. Four Sisters of Mercy lay dead on the floor of the Rheims Cathedral during the bombardment of the famous building by the Germans. Notwithstanding the entry of a shell the women knelt round in prayer, apparently beseeching the intercession of Joan of Arc, whose statue within the Cathedral like that outside was unharmed, A shell reduced the statue of the Virgin to dust. The clergy remained within the building comfortiug frightened people until the fire started. The belfry fell with a tremendous crash and presently the building resembled a gigantic set piece of fireworks. The Pope expressed his horror at the destruction of the Cathedral, remarking that it was scarcely credible in the twentieth century that we should be plunged back to the days of Attila. London, Sept. 22. The Times, in' a leader on the destruction of Rheims Cathedral, says the Kaiser has outdone his infamous crime at Louvain. Rome, Sept. 22. The bombardment of Rheims Cathedral has caused a thrill throughout Italy. Le Jiornale d’ltalia describes it as a useless act of barbarism and a lunatic outburst of wounded vanity and cursed pride.