MURDER OF NURSE CAVELL

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 19

MURDER OF NURSE CAVELL

FOUL-MINDED ARROGANCE. LONDON, October 22

The Westminster Gazette says : “ Every English man and woman will read Nurse Cavell’s story with pride at the bravery of a splendid woman scorning subterfuge, and with horror and indignation at the crueltv and lack of chivalry of the Ger-

mans in inflicting a savage penalty for a technical offence.” October 23. The Rev. Mr Graham, British chaplain at Brussels, has communicated to Sir E. Grey his final interview with Nurse,Cavell. He states that she was perfectly calm and resigned throughout the interview, whicli lasted an hour, and wished all her friends to know that she willingly gave her life for her country. “ I have no fear nor shrinking,’’ she said, c ‘ having seen death too often. It is not strange and not fearful. I thank God for this last 10 weeks of quiet before the end. My life has always been hurried and full of difficulty, but standing in view of God and Eternity I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must not cherish hatred nor bitterness for anyone.” At the close of the Communion Nurse Cavell softly recited “Abide With Me,” and for the remainder of the interview quietly talked and gave parting messages for her relations and friends. She was fully prepared to meet her end, and her last words to Mr Graham were : “We shall meet again.” The German chaplain who was with Nurse Cavell at the end told Mr Graham that she was brave and bright to the last. She said that she was glad to die for her country, and died like a heroine. Mr Whitelock, of the American Legation in Brussels, applied to Governor Lancken to deliver the body to the Nursing School, of which Nurse Cavell was the directress, but learned that the permission of the Minister of War would be necessary. He hopes to obtain his assent. FEELING IN AMERICA. WASHINGTON, October 23. Government officials are shocked at the Cavell case, referring to the affair as most cowardly and unwarranted. The State Department pointed out that the matter was purely one between Britain and Germany, the United States being unable to do anything. Gratification is expressed at the fact that Mr Whitelock was able to serve British interests, but sorrow because he failed to achieve the end sought. Fear is expressed that Mr Whitelock compromised himself with the Germans in Belgium, and no surprise will be expressed if he is recalled at the Kaiser’s demand. The press denounces Germany’s crime as one of unparalleled baseness. NEW YORK, October 24. There is a wave of indignation and horror in American newspapers denouncing the execution of Nurse Cavell as the blackest deed of the war. Even Mr Bidder, the man who applauded the Lusitania outrage, confesses that the German commanders do things at the seat of war which even their own people cannot uphold. The newspapers publish long editorials casCgating German cold-blooded, inhumanity towards a defenceless woman, another blot on an escutcheon already smeared with the blood of innocents. The New York World says that Nurse Cavell undoubtedly violated military law, but only a German or a Turk would have carried out the death sentence. The case is still blacker because of the official attempt to trick Mr Whitelock in order to circumvent the appeal for clemency. Nurse CavelTs blood will be a blot upon the German army and Government for generations to come. Official circles do not disguise their feeling of revulsion, though an official protest is out of the question. It is only possible to applaud the conduct of Mr Whitelock and declare that the Government, if it had, been appealed to, would have strongly backed him. RECRUITING BRISKER IN CANADA. OTTAWA, October 23. Recruiting is much more brisk since the Cavell case became known. The press demands that, if possible, the name of every German participating be secured, with a view to eventual punishment.