EUROPEAN WAR

Grey River Argus, 22 October 1915, Page 6

EUROPEAN WAR

[EBB PEESB ASSOCIATION — COPYBIGHT-]

EXECTION OF MISS CAVELL.

A. REVOLTING CRIME,

PERPETRATED BY GERMAN

AUTHORITIES.

(Reed. 2.25 a.m.) y LONDON, October 21. The Foreign Office has issued nine thousand words of a Despatch from the American Legation at Brussels, show. ing their untiring efforts to save Miss Cavell. When she was arrested on August sth. Mr Brandon -Whit-lock; the Ambassador, notified the German authorities of American concern in the case, and asked for the fullest particulars, but lie was never allowed to see Miss Cavell. The Germans even refused to allow her to consult a lawyer before her trial,- and her lawyer was shown none of -the prosecutions documents. TKe Ambassador adds:: Miss Cavell, at her trial, without trembling, admitted that she had hidden English and French soldiers in her house and facilitated the departure of Belgian subjects, furnishing them with money and guides iv order to cross the frontier. She even said that she received letters from soldiers in England thanking her for her help. Miss Cavell was asked why she did this and she said it was her duty to save their lives. After her trial the American Legation continually enquired as -to the progress of the case, and were definitely informed the day before the execution that no sentence had been given. The Legation, however, heard privately at ten in the evening that she had been sentenced to be shot at two in the morning. Mr Gibson, Secretary of the Legation, accompanied by the Spanish Ambassador, hurried to see Baron von der Lanoken representing the German civUadministration, to ask for a postponement of the execution. Baron von der Lanoken, for some time, protested that there was no truth in the rumour, but finally said that the military considered the infliction of death imperative. Mr Gibson pointed out that Miss Cavell spent her life in assisting others, and had tended German soldiers at her hospital. He emphasised the horror of executing a woman when there was no charge of espionage. He pointed out the fearful effect a summary execution of this sort would have on public opinion in Belgium and abroad, and it might even lead to reprisals. The Spanish Minister favourably supported, but all their efforts were fruitless. An English clergyman was allowed to see Miss Cavell in her cell at ten o'clock, and he gave her holy communion. . He found her admirably strong anC calm. She said she was happy to die for her country. The despatch discloses that the failure to prevent the execution was a very severe blow to the American Legation, and it particularly resents the Germans failing to notify . the Ambassador of the sentence.