NURSE CAVELL, MARTYR.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1915, Page 5

NURSE CAVELL, MARTYR.

THE MURDER OF A HEROINE. MOST INFAMOUS CRIME IN HISTORY. THE WOfiUD SHOCKED. ' PfiESS OHSOQiiS. •Loudon, Oct. 22. The "Westminster Gazette" 'says, that every Englishman and woman will read Miss CaveU'a story with pride at the bravery of the splendid woman who scorned subterfuge and horror, and indignation at the cruelty and lack of chivalry in inflicting a savage penalty for a technical offence. The " Pall Mall Gazette" says that the moment when a German officer iir'ort a revolver in to the unconscious form of the brave woman and destroyed u life untiringly spent in the service of humanity has compressed into one dramatic picture all that is embodied in the conflict convulsing the whole hemisphere. No peace would be tolerable if it failed to ensure the final and complete destruction of the Power that tramples truth, justice, and mercy under the heel of foul-minded arrogance and insatiable- bestiality. Amsterdam, Oct. 22. ■ The newspaper " Naeuwa van den Dag," commenting on Miss Cavell's execution, trusts world-wide protests will be raised in the name of humahity. Received Oct. 23, f1.5 p.m. London, Oct. 22. " The Evening News" states that Miss Cavell's murder is the foulest blot of all the war. What will stagger the world is the utter inability of the ■German mind to grasp the effect of a deed so infamous. The world sbudderis at that picture of an insensible woman lying on the ground while her murderer took careful aim. HER LAST HOURS. A TOUCHING STORY. London, Oct. 23. Mr. Saltan, a British chaplain at Brussels, has communicated with Sir Edward Grey. He says that he had a final interview with Miss Cawll and she was perfectly calm and resigned throughout an hour's interview. She wished all friends to know that she willingly gave her life for her country, and said "I have no fear nor shrinking. I have seen death so often thai it is not stTange nor fearful. I thank God for this last ten weeks of quietness before the end, for my life has always, been hurried and full of difficulty. Standing, as I am, in view of God and eternity I realise that patriotism is not enough. 1 must not cherish hatred nor bitterness with anyone." . At the close of Holy Communion she softly recited "Abide With Me," and during the remainder of the interview she quietly talked and gave parting messages for relatives and friends. She was fully prepared to meet her end, and her last words were: '* We shall meet again." The German chaplain who was with Miss Cavell at the end told Mr Gahan that she was brave, and bright to the last. She said shewas glad to die for her country, and. she died like a heroine.

Mr. Brand Whitlock, the American ambassador, applied to Gen. limcken to deliver Miss Cavell's body to the nursing school of which Miss Cavell was directress, but learned that the War Minister's ptermission was necessary. However, he hopes to obtain the Minister's assent. HORROR IN AMERICA. A CRIME OF UNPARALLELED BASENESS. Received Oct. 23, 8A p.m. Washington, Oct. 23. Government officials arc shocked at the Cavell case and refer to the affair aa most cpwardly and unwarranted. The State Department lias pointed out that the matter is purely one between Britain and Germany, and the United States is unaWe to do anything. Gratification is expressed that Mr. Whitlock was alble to serve British interests, bat there is sorrow-that he failed to achieve the end sought for. Fear is expressed that Mr. Whitlock has compromised himself with the Germans in Belgium, and no surprise will ibe expressed if he is recalled at the Kaiser's demand. TJie press denounces Germany's crime i fts one of unparelleled baseness. EAGER.TO AVENGE. HOW: CANADA VIEWS THE OUTRAGE. Received Otet. 23, 0.40 p.m. Ottawa, Oct. 23. Recruiting is much brisker since the Cavell case became known. The Canadian press demands, if possible, the securing of the names of overy German participating in the murder, with a view to tbeir eventual punishment. THE NATION THRILLED. A GREAT HEROINE her memory to be perpetrated Received Oct. 25, 12.15 a.m. London, Oct. 24. The public are profoundly stirred by the story of Miss Ca veil's martyrdom, and the disposition to regard her as a great national heroine increases daily. Probably no personality during the war has evoked the same intense admiration. Mr. Gahan's account of the closing scenes has sent an even deeper thrill through the country than the earlier reports. All newspapers emphasise the German chaplain's tribute that she died like a heroin*

Already many suggestions have been made to perpetuate the memory of her martyrdom, -including the women's suggestion that the Queen should head a Women's Memorial. It is alao suggested that a statue and tablet be erected in Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's. Newspaper funds have opened, and the Daily Mirror the first day received over six hundred p6unds. The Daily Telegraph has opened a shilling fund. Frampton has offered to execute a statue as a labor of love.

Memorial services will be held at St, Paul's Cathedral on Monday. In view of the earlier statement that Miss Cavell collapsed before she was shot, it is noteworthy that later accounts bear out the official statements of her resoluteness.

Beports emanating from Belgium relate that 'Miss Cavell faced the firing squad, most of whom did not aim at her. Only one bullet struek Miss Cavell who fell, and the officer then shot her with his revolver.

Amsterdam, Oct. 21. Many newspapers cojnment forcibly on Miss Cavell's murder.

THROUGH GERMAN EYES. A PALTRY EXCUSE. Received Oet. 25, 1.5 a.m. London, Oct. 24. The Vossiche Zeitung commenting on the trial of Miss Cavell, declares that the intention of the authorities was to give a lesson to Belgians not tn offend against German orders.

\ THE BLACKEST DEED. INDIGNATION IN* THE STATES. GERMANY FOULED FOR EVER. Received Oct. 25, 1.6 A.m. New York, Oct. 24. There is a wave of indignation and horror in America, newspapers denouncing the murder as the blackest deed of the war. Herr von Ridder, who applauded the Lusitania crime, confesses that the German commanders do things at the seat of war which even his own people cannot uphold. The newspapers, in long editorials, are castigating the Germans for coldblooded inhumanity towards a defenceless woman, which is another blot on an escutcheon which is already smeared with the blood of innocents.

Tbe New York World Bays that Miss Cavell undoubtedly violated military law, but only a German or Turk would have carried out the death sentence, and the case is etfll blacker because of the official attempts to trick Mr. Whitloek (the American Ambassador), in order to circumvent an appeal for clemency. The paper says that Miss Cavell's blood will be a blot upon the German army «nd Government for generation* to come, AMERICA CANNOT PROTEST. 'A FEEUNG OF REVULSION. Received Oct. 26, 1.5 a.m. Washington, Oct. 24. Official circles do not disguise a feeling of revulsion, though an official protest is out of the question. They applaud Mr. Whitlock's action and declare that the Government, if appealed to, would h*ve strongly backed Mm.