THE DOOMED CATHEDRAL OF REIMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3174, 27 August 1917, Page 7

THE DOOMED CATHEDRAL OF REIMS

RUTHLESS AND SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION. We must resign ourselves to hear one morning of the utter destruction of Reims Cathedral (writes a correspondent in the "Manchester Guardian"). In revenge for Douauinont, the Germans have already inflicted what may be fatal damage upon it. The next frenoh success may bring -the immense roof thundering down upon the stones below. And even should a, respite be granted, knowing the Bocho and his ways as we do. it seems too much to hope that when final defeat. comes upon him lie will depart leaving tho cathedral standing. It still stands. Fire and shot have dofaced the wondorful facade, mutilated tho imagery, shattered tho stained glass that can never be replaced. In the interior everything that could not be removed has been ■ burned. The timber vault has been pierced in half a dozen places by heavy shells, and tho rain collects in deep pools on tho pavement below. Bub the vast stone mass, with its. twin spires, its magnificent portals, and its coronal of protecting angels with spread wings, still stands, and until a few days ago stood firmly chough to permit tho hope that this church, Acknowledged to be the culminating point .of an art that can never flourish again on earth, would in its main proportions survive. It is advisablo to part with that hope. The day after tho fall of Douaumont the Germans poured 250 shells into the town, and renewed the bombardment on following days. There seems no doubt that tho Germans are systematically bursting their heavy shells on the southern side of the roof of the cathedral with tho intention of breaking the dying buttresses, themselves marvels of grace and strength, that carry the outside thrust of the roof. The Germans, be it observed, are not burying the cathedral undk' a rain of shell. That ia not needful. All that is needed-is to cut away tho supports. The crash may come days after the fatal wound has been inflicted. Then the.Germans would say., that French negligence was to blame, although they themselves make any attempt to repair the damage impossible by firing on tho cathedral whenever a workman shows himself on the roof. Ono of the ancient and unique stained glass windows is still left in its place because it cannot be removed without drawing the enemy's fire.

A thousand shells have h;t the cathedral, and many thousands more have exploded amongst the ancient streets surrounding it. Close to the cathedral most of the buildings are mere burnt-'out shells of houses. It is inconceivable that |he Clermans belipve that any military object can be obtained by the bombardment of this part of the town, which is practically the only part that they do bombard. No soldiers are stationed there. They would not be of tho least use to the French or the smallest menace to the Germans if there were any there, but there are none. In the outlying parts of Reims, where there is nothing particularly beautiful or venerable to destroy, practically no damage has been done. The people of these quarters live as if no Gorman guns were near thom, so confident are they from cxporience that as long as they keep away from the'cathedral they run little or no risk.