CARDINAL MERCIER

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12989, 11 January 1915, Page 5

CARDINAL MERCIER

(Times. —Sydney Sun Service.) LONDON, Jan. S. Amsterdam reports that the Germans imprisoned the printer of Cardinal Mercier's pastoral, then despatched couriers in motor cars, who interrupted the reading of the pastoral during Mass and removed H from the priest's sacristy and confessional. The Niews ven Dag declares that it would not be astonished if the Germans did not dare to maintain the Cardinal's arrest which would cause a formidable movement in the Catholic world. Militarism is like a bee which stings in its rage. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 8. The publisher of the Catholic newspaper Do Ti.jd, which printed Cardinal Mercier's Pastoral Letter, has been fined 500 marks, wth the alternative of fifty days' imprisonment. ROME, Jan. S. The Vatican has been informed that the German authorities merely addressed Cardinal Mercier a most deferential request to abstain from any attitude calculated to interfere in the delicate and difficult task of maintaining order, and convincing a hostile population of a sincere desire for their good. The message also intended to fulfil a Christian principle to avoid bloodshed, and, if possible, to result in the suppression of tumults. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 8. Advices from Berlin state that the Cardinal Mercier incident has been peacefully settled. Received 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 8. Mr T. P. 0 'Connor describes the arrest of Cardinal Mercier as one of those clumsy, brutal acts of German policy which recoil on their own heads. THE KAISER'S EXPLANATION.

ROME, Jan. 9

The Kaiser telegraphed to the Pope denying Cardinal Mercier's arrest. He says the Germans merely warned him to discontinue his anti-German propaganda which the Kaiser was sure the Pope would disapprove.

THE POPE'S APPROVAL.

LONDON, Jan. 9

The Daily Chronicle's Milan correspondent says the Pope was personally acquainted with Cardinal Mercier's Pastoral prior to its publication and he has since expressed unreserved approval. DENIAL OF ARREST UNTRUE. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 9. The newspaper Tijd says the contradiction of Cardinal Mercier's arrest is untrue. The Cardinal is not allowed to leave Malines. Several priests who were imprisoned for a day or two are prepared to contradict the denial.