CARDINAL MERCIER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 January 1915, Page 5

CARDINAL MERCIER

POPE DISSATISFIED WTCH- GEEMAN EXPLANATIONS. ROME,. Jan. 11.. The 1 ' Osservatore Romano" says , that reports concerning Cardinal Mefciel s fllrest are inexact, but.''.the Pop© is dissatisfied with the German Government s ■ statements. The Belgians are displeased with the attitude of - the Catholic Press, -which refuses to rectify tlio inaccurate German statement.

(Raoul Narsy, in ''Everyman,'' gives an appreciation of - Cardinal .Mel'.cier, the. , Archbishop of Malines, Belgium whose reported arrest .by the Germans because of a Pastoral Letter' issued by him- to his clergy and . their flocks has. caused' widespread indignation-I' was »t*uck--more than I,.can say, the imposing- and attractive aspect of this original face. How distinguished seemed 'his tall* lean figure! What authority, showed m this austere, - thoughtful' face; this; «ilm; hio-h forehead thttt Beemed<full' of 1 deep, -earnest thought, %vhat intelligence slijn-. ing in the . clear eye, and /what,.kindness in the mobile expressive features and friendly, almost childlikfe,.smileH • . It "was. only, many..'yeap-later. 4^l^: recently, indeed, that I had the honourof finding .niyself. in the presence;of rrentle prelate, and of .beingrreceived by: fiim. . , '. -How warmly, he answered •me when. I' soolce of tfie heroic traditions• of the Belgian people andthe : of the defenders of - and.of Albert's army. "Yesy, they .did,*£l £ lieve us capable -of that, .did; they .• { I: what heartrending; words he pictUred to me -the many disasters .and-.atrocious sufferings that were falling- on -his diocesans. The work, of centuries annihilated at Louyain,- the metropolitan• town, of Malines, a in short, his country ■ given; •over' tp the fury of savage soldiery .rwho t saWed tt«|thodically on their-way artirocitiEas- and; death Alas!. air that .time • Cardinal- Mer>cier was only v setting:out on-his long^aiTvary; he had. but:sipped ..the- cup of bitWrness thathewas .to drain to the dregs. His sorrow: at*, the trials- lnflrctbd oiu a. ijusf -cause, far-, from;. weakening his- confidence; confirmed- his trust--in the final, triumph of justice over' felony^and- of right over might.- T? receivedown lips the touching expression ofhisbelief and hope in the' future many delays since then? .-, What inim; and. 'bloodshed and mourning! Yet- Belgium s courage has disputed v Inch mch> itf !country to the invader,. and has We ihim pay; dearly for -every < step gained. •And l am glad to call forth at this-sad hour the imago of the- primate,. strOn"- ivi unconquerable hope and- blessing -with his sacred hands the glorious standards of heroic 'Belgium)* | , | (