THE RHEIMS CRIME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16664, 24 September 1914, Page 7

THE RHEIMS CRIME.

MANY CIVILIANS KILLED. I JOAN OF ARC UNINJURED. DELIBERATE GERMAN SAVAGERY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, September 22. Scarcely a house round Rheims Cathedral is undamaged. The statue of Joan d’Aro in front of the Cathedral is undamaged. Whenever the French artillery became aggressive the Gormans shelled the Cathedral. It is estimated that between 300 and 500 civilians perished. AUTHOR’S COURAGE. GIVES REPLY TO GERMANS. PARIS, September 22. M. Maurice Barres. the famous French nuthor, commenting on the destruction of Rheims Cathedral, says that it is satisfactory to know that no shells fell on the French battalions. At the present moment ho would prefer the humblest French infantryman to the worthiest works of art. The latter will be re-created, but the essential thing is that the nation should remain. This is the only roply of our artists and patriots to this deed. THE POPE’S HOROR, ROME, September 22. The Pope expressed horror at the destruction of the Rheims Cathedral, and remarked: “It is scarcely credible in the twentieth century that we should be plunged back to the days of Attilla.” PRAYING AMID SHELLS. SCENE IN CATHEDRAL. LONDON, September 22. An eye-witness at Rheims states that shells killed several German wounded in the Cathedral, where four Sisters of Mercy lay dead on the floor. Notwithstanding the entry of the shells, women knelt round in prayer, apparently beseeching the intercession of Joan d’Arc, whose statue within the cathedral, like that outside, was not harmed. A shell reduced the statue of the Virgin to dust. Clergy remained within the building, .comforting the frightened people, until the fire started. The belfry fell with a tremendous crash, and presently the building resembled a gigantic set piece of fireworks. EXTENT OF DAMAGE. ESTIMATED AT FOUR MILLIONS. It is estimated that the German visitation caused £4,000,000 damage. AMERICAN DENUNCIATIONS. OBLIGATIONS OF CIVILISATION IGNORED. (Received September 24, 12.35 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 22. The newspapers denounco the Rheims outrage. The “Tribune” declares: “It is a piece of vandalism reducing German military methods to a level with those of the Goths and Huns. Doubtless wo shall hear more of the Kaiser’s ‘ bleeding heart,’ but no such banalities will blind us to the congenital unsensitiveness of German nature to the obligations of civilisation.” ACT OF BARBARIANS. PITILESS VENGEANCE TO BE INFLICTED. PARIS, September 22. M. Anatole France, in an indignant protest against the destruction of Rheims, says: “The barbarians who invoked the blessing of God have destroyed one of the most magnificent monuments of Christianity and earned eternal infamy. The Allies will inflict pitiless vengeance on the criminals, but will not stain their victory by similar crimes-”