NURSE CAVELL. MARTYR.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1915, Page 5

NURSE CAVELL. MARTYR.

AERMAN OFFICIAL. DEFENCE. f WBAK JISD OOKTBMPTSPISL .- ' Amsterdam, Oet. 24. All that official Germany can say in defence of Miss Oaveffs execution is an article in the North German Gazette, ■which makes mention of a British officer's letter to the Manchester Guar-

dim of October 18th, concerning a French girl for shooting two snipers. The trticle continue?: "Whei such deeds, which are a mockery of all the usages of war, receive homage they most not be astonished if gnQty persons are treated according to the laws of war. Bad this French girl been seized by us and shot dead, as she deserved, tile British press could not loudly enough have deplored the German method* of warfare. The same press is now trying to set the whole wadd against us, because m Belgium a sentence of death according to the laws of war has been carried out npotr an English woman wto was found guilty of treachery in war. The Tekgraaf comments that the Germans' defence of the execution could not be Weaker, and is ratter a selfaeeusatkm, beeaues ii proves that the Germans are strjtngers. to all human feeling and every sentiment of merey. The Eandelsbhd makes a comparison of the French girl's act and Miss OaveU'g conduct, and says that the horxffle punishment inflicted by the German Government is completely unjust. THE OUALITY OF MERCY. UNKNOWN TO GERMANS. Received Oct. 25, 7.5 pjn. ' London, Oct 26. ' Sir John Simon, in an interview, said that MUs Cavell's trial had no parallel in Britain's treatment of persons accused of military offences. No woman spy had been shot in England. What stmek Englishmen as incredible was the calculated- indifference wherewith the American and Spanish Ministers' inquiries were, treated, and the excuse suggested that wartime calls for seven measures. Our own experience shows that it is possible to combine a regard for the rights of the accused with respect for humane considerations. MORE ALLEGATIONS. ■fIBRRORIBT BELGIAN GOVERNOR. Amsterdam, Oct. 24. An inspired German telegram gives a new allegation in the Cavell case. In view of incorrect and exaggerated foreign comments, the telegram states that after a long trial it was proved that Miss Cavell and others had for months been engaged in assisting Belgians to enlist in the hostile armies, and in assisting the Anglo-French deserters to escape from Belgium. The Governor-General repeatedly warned them that severe punishment was inevitable. The sentences were pronounced at a public sitting in accordance with the law. The accused admitted her guilt. Miss Cavell was the principal agent in the plot for enlisting Belgians. Regarding the assertion that she unselfishly attended the wounded, the fact was that her nursing fees were such that they were within the reach of the wealthy only. German women have already been executed in France, and the British may remember Lord Kitchener's cruelties to women and children in the Boer war. TO BE AVENGED. RECRUITS POURING IX. London, Oct. 24. A great recruiting meeting in Trafalgar Square passed a resolution that the country would not return the sword to the scabbard until Miss Cavell's murder had been avenged. Streams of recruits flowed on to the platform. Many references to Miss Cavell's heroasm were made in the pulpit.