Rheims Tragedy

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 103, 24 September 1914, Page 5

Rheims Tragedy

STATUARY REDUCED TO DUST.

THE POPE'S CONDEMNATION.

London, September 22, An eyewitness at Rheims states that shells killed several of the German wounded in the Cathedral. Four Sisters of Mercy lay dead on the floor, but notwithstanding the entry of shells the women knelt round in prayer, apparently beseeching the intercession of Joan of Aic, whose statue witllin the cathedral, like .that outside, was Bnharmed. A shell reduced a Btatue of the Virgin to

dust. The clergy remained within the [building comforting the frightened peo!ple until a fire started and? the belfry fell with a tremendous crash. Presently the building resembled a gigantic set piece of fireworks. It is estimated that the German visitation caused damage to the extent of four million sterling.

Paris, September 22.

M. Maurice Barres, a distinguished French author, commenting on the destruction of Rheims Cathedral, says it is satisfactory that no shells fell on our battalions. At the present moment we prefer the humblest French infantryman to the worthiest works of art. These we will recreate. Th,e essential thing is that our nation remains. This is the only reply of our artists and patriots to this deed.

Rome, September 22.

The Pope haa expressed his horror at the destruction of Rheims Cathedral. He remarked that it was scarcely credible that in the 20th century we should be plunged back into the days of Attila.

AN AMERICAN DENUNCIATION,

TACTICS OF TWENTY CENTURIES BACK.

Received 27, 12.35 a.m.

| New York, September 23. ! The newspapers denounce the German destruction of Rheims. The Tribuno declares that it is "a piece of vandalism reducing the German military methods to the level of the Goths and Huns. Doubtless we shall hoar more of the Kaiser's bleeding heart, but no such banalities will blind Us to the congenial unsensitiveness of German nature to the obligations of civilisation."

BARBARIANS AND SACRILEGE.

GERMANS EARN "ETERNAL INFAMY."

Received 24, 12.35 a.m. Paris, September 23.

M. Annatole says France must make an indignant protest against the destruction of Rheims by barbarians who invoked the blessing of God, destroyed one of the most magnificent monuments of Christianity, and earned eternal infamy. The Allies will indict pitiless vengeance on the criminals, but will not stain their victory with similar crimes.

A HOLLOW STORY. GERMAN PROTECTION OF BEAUTIFUL EDIFICES. Received 24, 1.50 a.m. Rotterdam, Sept. 2.. Tlio. Berliner Tageblatb accuses the Belgians of using churches as military works, and declares that the burning was a shame, as the German troops had been ordered to protect when possible beautiful buildings of all descriptions.