New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 62, 16 March 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

CARDINAL MERCIER'S ARREST.

Per Press Association.

Wellington, March 15

Some weeks ago a London cable message stated that the German authorities denied that Cardinal Mercier, Bishop of Malines, has been imprisoned by the Germans, as asserted by the Bel-

gian Government. A Wellington resident in direct communication with France lias received a letter written by Cardinal Mercier whilst in prison. It was written in Latin, and was smuggled into Amsterdam, whence its deliverance to the addressee was made easy. The letter, which is dated January 10th, is addressed to the parishioners of the Diocese of Malines, and it refutes with no uncertainty the statements from Berlin.and Brussels that the writer did not have his liberty interfered with. Following is a translation of the letter:—

"You are no doubt cognisant of the communication made by the German Government to the Daily Press of Brussels, wherein it states that the Cardinal Bishop of Malines has not been restricted in his liberty or in the exercise of his episcopal duties. This is far from the truth. On the evening of New Year's Day, and on the following day, German soldiers forcibly penetrated into the Presbytery and seized my episcopal letter, upon which, after perusal, they made a report to the authorities. They have now prohibited the parish priests from reading it to their parishioners, threatening them in case of disobedience with penalties most severe on their parishes and on themselves. Three days ago at six o'clock in the morning, I was ordered to appear in the forenoon before the German authorities in order to give an explanation concerning my pastoral letter to the priests and their parishioners. On the following day 1 was forbidden to assist in tiie religious ceremonies in the Cathedral of Anvers. Moreover, authority was refused me to travel in order to visit the other bishops of Belgium. Your rights and mine have been violated. As a Belgian citizen, as your pastor, and as a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals, I protest most emphatically against the violation of, these rights.

Whatever interpretation others have put on my letter, it is proved by experience that it has not caused any semblance of rebellion: On the contrary, it has helped' to calm my people. Belgians, I congratulate you on doing your duty."

RECRUITINC SATISFACTORY.

RETURNED TROOPERS FACE COURT MARTIAL.

Auckland, March 15.

The organisation of reinforcements for the Xew Zealand Expeditionary Force is proceeding smoothly, and in discussing the matter this evening the Minister for Defence expressed his complete satisfaction with the process of the scheme. "Recruiting is quite satisfactory," said Mr Allen. "The new system of enrolling volunteers by means of registration cards is working very well. It was thought that there might be some difficulty in -obtaining horses for the mounted infantry, but there has not been any difficulty in securing sufficient horses to meet the requirements of the forces, and though those provided for the main force were quite satisfactory, the Remount Department is now obtaining animals of even a higher standard. The third contingent for the reinforcement of the Xew Zealand Forces was despatched some time ago. We have news about this force, which generally is quite satisfactory," said Mr Allen. was, of course, the unfortunate illness of Major Peacock, who contracted enteric fever and had to be left behind at the first port of call. We have also been advised that a member of the Native contingent has died. Then some members of the force have been brought back by a returning transport, and they will be brought before a court martial to explain why they were left behind at a port of call."

RETURNED TROOPERS.

Dunedin, March 15

A troopship which arrived at Port Chalmers to-day brought 34 troopers back, all of whom, except two, went away with the main expeditionary force. Included in the number are twelve prisoners, ten of whom were arrested for missing a troopship at an Australian port on the outward journey. The remainder of the men have been invalided home, mostly suffering fro such complaints as pneumonia or hernia. The names of those invalided home are as follows: —C. Williams (South Canterbury Mounted Rifles). L. 11. Mortimore (10th Mounted Rifles). A. E. Bambridge (12th Mounted Rifles), J. Phelan (12th Mounted Rifles), L. J. Hansen (6th Mounted Rifles), A. Nicholas (Signal Troop). C. \V. Payne (16th Waikato Regiment). T. H. Wakefield (12th Auckland Regiment), G. H. Harlow (12th Nelson Regiment). G. B. Collyns (13th Infantry Regiment), G. E. Jeffrey (13th Infantry Regiment), P. L. Miller (12th Infantry Regiment). G. Monaghan (12th Infantry Regiment), A. Prestney (13th Infantry Regiment). D. Canning (4th Otago Regiment), W. I). Mauley (4th Otago Regiment), N. Jackson (17th Infantry Regiment), A. J. Davis (Veterinary Group).

The invalided men were sent to the

hospital

CAUDIN'S SENTENCE REDUCED.

Auckland, March 15

The Minister for Defence states that the Government has mitigated the sentence passed upon F. E. X. Gaudin to one of six months' hard labor from the date of his conviction at Apia. Mr Allen said the Governor had consulted the Imperial authorities, although there was no necessity to do so.