SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, 9 December 1915, Page 13

SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

GENERAL. , Fugitives from Poland report that German officers have said to them: ‘ Poland is going to be surrounded by a triple-line of trenches. The Russians will not be able to drive us out, for if we find ourselves in need of men we shall arm the whole male population of Poland and force them to fight against the Russians.’ Lance-corporal Roden, 12th Royal Scots, whose home is at Forth street, West Calder, and who is a member of Father McDonna’s congregation, has received the D.C.M. for conspicuous bravery in the field in France on the memorable 25th September. He rescued a comrade under heavy shell and rifle fire.

Dr. Herbert Bury, Anglican Bishop of Central and Northern Europe, in an interview which appears in Great Thoughts, said : ‘ There is no larger-hearted land, or people, in all Europe than the Belgian kingdom. So far is Belgium removed from bigotry, intolerance, and jealousy in religious matters, that the State helps freely any denomination whose clergy need it, if only they are doing really good and righteous work.’

The funeral of Captain Lord Petre, of the Goldstream Guards, who died lately in France from wounds received in battle, took place on October 9 from his residence, Thorndon Hall, Brentwood. On the same day Requiem Mass was offered at Westminster Cathedral. The Petre title is one of the oldest in 'England, the late Lord Petre being the sixteenth baron of his line. The thirteenth baron was a Catholic priest and probably the only Catholic ecclesiastic who has occupied a seat in the House of Lords since the Reformation. Cardinal Bourne presided at the Requiem at Brentwood. A Requiem Mass was also celebrated in Westminster Cathedral.

A Kirkcaldy Catholic Irishman, Motor Ambulance Driver McGrory, has been awarded the D.C.M. The story of how it was won will rank among the highest acts of heroism in the. war. In July last, while conveying a load of wounded from the battlefield at Gallipoli, a shell burst in front of the motor, severely wounding and throwing him from the car. Despite his injuries he crawled on to the vehicle and succeeded in stopping it, thus saving many valuable lives. In one of his letters home he writes that when he was receiving the chaplain officer’s congratulations, the latter remarked, ‘ Catholics are always so cool under fire.’ Driver McGrory replied it was his faith that helped the Catholic.

IN THE TRENCHES FOR SAFETY. A story illustrating the confidence reposed in the honor of the British soldier is told by the Ven. T. T. Churton, Archdeacon of Hastings. A convent in one of the Belgian towns near the firing line was threatened with an invasion of the Germans, and the Rev. Mother, knowing what had already happened in similar cases, did not know how to put her nuns and pupils in safety. At last one of the nuns said to her, * Why not send us all into the British trenches? We shall be safe there.’ This was done. When the Rev. Mother was asked if she was not afraid of what might happend to her flock she answered, ‘ The men were English.’

N PRIEST PUNISHED. The Rev. Dr. Karl Vecera, a Catholic priest and a. teacher of religion at the German Grammar School at Nicholsburg, has been convicted of lese majeste and sentenced to the severe penalty of four months’ imprisonment. In addition he has been deprived of his diploma as doctor of divinity and of his office as teacher. It appears that Dr. Vecera, who is a Bohemian, in preaching to the assembled Grammar School, in which there was a large number of Bohemian scholars, used several expressions with regard to the Kaiser which' were regarded as lacking in the respect due to the Monarch.’ From the tendency of the sermon, as far as

it has been made public, it seems that the preacher said that the Kaiser’s action in connection with the origin of the war was unwise and uncalled for*

THE LATE LORD NINIAN CRICHTON-STUART. At a Solemn Requiem Mass at Falkland Palace for the repose of the soul of Lord Ninian Crichtona brief panegyric was delivered by Rev. Father Joyce, chaplain, in the course of which he said that the death of Lord Ninian came as a shock and a terrible blow to Falkland and the surrounding district. In their grief they had one consolation-they knew he died -in a just and noble cause. He gave his life on the battlefield for King and country. When he was leaving England about a year ago with his regiment. Lord Ninian wrote to a friend: ‘ I may lose my life, but my honor never.’ His life had gone, but his honor remained unsullied. A day or two before he was killed he came upon a little village church near by where he was stationed, and the sight of the church brought his thoughts to God. Ho was told there would be Mass at half-past 6 o’clock in the morning, and there, in a dismantled little village church, Lord Ninian was found praying. A French officer, who was a priest, asked Lord Ninian if he would serve the Mass. This was willingly agreed to. Lord Ninian made his confession and received Holy Communion.

„ GERMAN AUDACITY. Apparently there is no limit to the audacity of the Germans, of which Paris is having painful experience. Many Teutons were tenants of stylish apartments before the war. These Germans either rejoined the armies of the Kaiser or were expelled; but, nevertheless, they continue to pay their rent in Paris through the medium of a Swiss bank, thus affording an indication of their intention to return and install themselves in their old quarters when the war is over. The point is raised that the cashing of the cheques by the landlords is tantamount to trading with the enemy. Yet another daring example of German enterprise is recorded. French doctors have received circulars from a Stuttgart firm which manufactures artificial arms and legs, and they were actually offered commission on the sales which they facilitate of these articles to replace the limbs shattered by the Kaiser’s bombs.

BRAVE CHILDREN. Have you heard of the little bakers of Exondun, a small village of Deux Sevres (writes the Paris correspondent of the Catholic Herald of India). They are two children, Madeleine Damian, a girl of 14, and her brother, a boy of 10. Before the war their father supplied the population of the village and neighborhood with bread. Left alone when he was mobilised the brave children set themselves courageously to work to fill his place. Despite the hard work involved for such small laborers in getting the great oven going and preparing the dough these brave French infants rose every morning at 4 a.m. and succeeeded in daily supplying the 400 kilos of bread to their father’s customers. The president of the Department made their brave and successful efforts known to President Poincare, who sent them two pendants and a letter apiece. The inhabitants of the village and environs assembled for’the presentation by the Mayor of these souvenirs. Some disappointment was felt that M. Poincare could not sign the letters himself, but the commune determined that the future of the children, if their brave father does not return, shall be well provided. But think of the two little ones overcoming all obstacles to fill a man’s place. -

GERMAN IMPOSITIONS ON BELGIUM. The German authorities, in spite of The ; Hague Convention, are taking every opportunity of making the Belgian people work for them (says the Universe). They ordered the Municipality of Ghent to repair the

manoeuvre ground in the neighborhood-of 'the town, which is used by the German airmen. The Municipality refused, on the ground that this work was of a military character. The German authorities repaired the ground themselves, but sent the account to the Municipality, who refuse to pay it. The result may be that Ghent will be fined.. A few weeks ago .17 passengers by the train from Tirlemont were fined six marks each because one of the travellers jumped out of the railway carriage before the train had stopped. It is now established, as the result of an inquiry made with particular care by very reliable persons, that in the province of Liege alone 1359 civilians, including numbers of women and children, were killed by German soldiers. Th*s Governor-General of Belgium has imposed' a tax on those Belgians who had not returned to the country before March 1, 1915. They number 3610, and will have to pay altogether the sum of 4,201,400 f. The number of families who have come back to Belgium as the result of the notice amounts to 18,900. The German authorities will sell by auction the furniture of those who do not.

TROOPS CHEER COURAGEOUS CHAPLAIN. Father Henry Day, S.J., who is with the troops at the Dardanelles, gives a graphic description of the Suvla Bay advance in a. letter home dated September 18. ' The division "to which he is attached was ordered to advance two miles and a-half across a plain in broad daylight. ‘I was walking at the head of the regiment to which lam attached,’ says Father Day, and near to the colonel. By looking round from time to time I could observe what happened. Whole troops were scattered by the shells which burst in the air and on every side.

‘ Yet the men never flinched. A regular who witnessed the scene from a little distance declared that he had never seen such a wonderful sight. The men doubled up as if to an ordinary parade. Though they dropped at every yard, still the columns advanced as one man. Regulars, he said, could not have acted more bravely. The casualties were very heavy, but none of our men flinched, nor did they, so far as I could see, show the least sign of any trepidation or fear. 1 When we reached safety the regiments who had already arrived generously welcomed me with a rousing cheer. This, though wholly undeserved, for 1 had never fully realised the danger, was decidedly gratifying and not a little encouraging. Since then numbers of the men, nearly all non-Catholics, have assured me that my presence on the occasion gave them “good heart.’’ Other signs have indicated to me that the incident deepened confidence and affection as between the troops and myself. Hence I have concluded that the risk and danger were well worth the running. ‘ Personally I never anticipated being able to face fire without some feeling at least of discomfort. But since the very commencement both shrapnel and bullets have complete!}' failed to disturb me. Even the advance I have described, in reality a terrible experience, only came as a mild and pleasurable excitement similar to the hunting in Norfolk or a football match at Beaumont or Stonyhurst. This is much to be thankful for, as it enables me to get about my work, always involving more or less danger, without worry. ‘ I have now been five weeks in the trenches, and still manage to keep in excellent health and the best of spirits, with usually a ravenous appetite. . . It is strange" 1 how hungry one becomes in the trenches.’

CATHOLIC OFFICERS KILLED. Capt. George Monteith, of the Gordon Highlanders, who has been reported missing, is believed to be killed. He is the seventh son of the late Mr. Joseph Monteith, of Cranley, Carstairs. The Monteiths of Carstairs are one of the best-known Catholic families in Scotland. Educated at Fort Augustus and at Wimbledon College, Capt. Monteith was commissioned as a SecondLieut, in August, 1914. He was present in the fight-

iug at the Marne, V Aisne, and at Ypres, ' and ' was wounded in the charge of the Prussian Guards on November 12, being afterwards mentioned in the despatches and promoted to his captaincy. Returning to France in August of this year) he tc)ok part in the 1 ecent great advance, and has since been reported ‘missing, believed killed.’ Four of his brothers hold commissions in the service. Capt. James H. A. Ryan, of the Ist Liverpool Regiment, killed in action in France recently, was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Ryan, of Roade, Northamptonshire. Educated at Downside and Sandhurst, he joined the Liverpools in 1912, went to France at the outbreak of the war, fought at Mons, Marne, Aisne, and Ypres, and was mentioned in despatches. He was a notable athlete, and one of the earliest recipients of the Military Cross. At his death he was 23*. The death is announced of Second-Lieut. A. J. Hastings, 7th East Surrey Regiment, killed in France on October 5. A native of London, educated at Wimbledon'College, he was commissioned in December last and went to the front in May. He was married, a month before his departure. Count Emmanuel de Casteja,'of Scarisbrooke Hall, Lancashire, died from wounds received when serving with the French Army. The Casteja family are large landowners in. Lancashire, but remain of French nationality.

Among other Catholic officers whose deaths were reported during the first week in October were; —LieutCol- J. P. Quinn, 117th Mahrattas ; Capt. H. W. O’Connell Hewett (a great-grandson of DAn O’Connell) ; Capt. J. E. Lynch, Yorkshire Regiment; Lieut. H. J. Burke, South Staffordshires ; Lieut. Herbert James Moran, Bth' Gurkhas; Second-Lieut. Almeric Wood, Bucks Light Infantry; Second-Lieut. Charles Alvarez Vaughan, Seaforths; Second-Lieut. G. W. Baillon, King’s Liverpool; Second-Lieut. Paul Goldie, Royal North Lancashires; Second-Lieut. Maurice E. Nolan.

HOW HE FACED DEATH. A double funeral service, which brought home ,to those present most keenly the cruel realities of war, took place recently in the Church of St. 11 on ore d’Eylan, Paris. It was celebrated for a father and a son—the Baron Benoist de Laumont, a' retired cavalry officer, who died in Paris on the day, September 25, that his only son, Jacques de Laumont, fell mortally wounded at Souchez, in Artois. The young soldier knew that his father was dying, but an attack being decided on, he could not ask for leave to bid him farewell. On September 24, at nine o’clock in the evening, just twelve hours before the splendid advance that was to lay many of our heroes low, Jacques de Laumont wrote thus to his. sister ; ‘ We have orders to advance to-morrow at daybreak. We all hope, indeed we are certain, to succeed in forcing our way. The regiment has the honor to beHhe first to attack, and my battalion is in front. lam proud that the General deems us worthy to take the lead. Death may take or leave me, but, in any case, beloved sister, I will do my duty. If I am killed, tell our mother first, then, very gently, tell our father. My only sorrow is the thought of your sorrowl love you all so dearly—but is not a death like this the most glorious that one can imagine? I shall have the death that I most desire. I wish to be buried among my men, who are'my friends, on the field watered by my blood. Good-bye, my dearest sister. When this letter reaches you, I shall be gone.’