MISS CAVELL’S EXECUTION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10490, 15 October 1926, Page 3

MISS CAVELL’S EXECUTION

M. POINCARE’S STATEMENT

In the course of a conversation with a representative of “Les Nouvelles Litteraires,” M. Poincare has thrown an interesting sidelight on the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Carol!. He said that as he had placed on the shoulders of Baron von der Laneken the responsibility for Miss Cavell’s death, as so many other authors had already done, he wished it known the Baron did all lie could to obtain a commutation of the sentence. M. Poincare admit-' ted that lie thought it strange that Baron von clef Laneken had up to the present offered no protest against the assertions of a number of highly authorised persons, including Mr Biaud AVhitloekJ United States Minister in Brussels during the war, and had waited till now to justify himself. But as Baron von der Laneken in his letter declared that a neutral diplomat, who was accredited to Brussels at that time, had full knowledge of the role he played, and had even later informed M. Briand of it, M. Poincare, taking this reference to indicate the Marquis tie yillalobar, Spanish Ambassador to Belgium, addressed himself to him. M. Poincare stated that he had now received from the Marquis of Villalobar a very complete and movin account of the terrible tragedy of October, 1915, “and I owe it to truth,” he added, “to say that this note of nature to rehabilitate Baron von der Laneken. He had urged General Sauberaweig not to have Miss Oaveil executed, but the general refused to listen to him. The only fault which Baron von der Laneken made was not to have dared to telephone the Kaiser, who was at kpa, and who, it anpears, regretted the execution of the death sentence, of which no one had informed him. The recital which I have received from the Marquis de Villalobar is very impressive and full of detail. It has convinced me personally that Baron von der Laneken has been calumniated.