SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, 25 January 1917, Page 15

SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

GENERAL. Austria, says the Times, recently asked the Vatican to remove the Bishop of Trent, who was suspected of sympathising with Italy, ljut the Vatican refused. - The late Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria bequeathed £2,000,000 for the benefit of invalided soldiers • and the' families of slain soldiers, and £650,000 each to his two daughters and grand-daughters. ; In response .to the appeal of the French Munitions Ministers, M. Albert Thomas, 300,000 women have - volunteered for employment at the Munitions Office in the Champs Elysees, and there is still room for more. A legend has arisen in a certain French town out of an incident which has the fragrance of the miraculous. When the town was shelled by the Germans some months ago, the Cathedral was struck and a statue of our Lady was dislodged. It now leans at a rightangle with the top of the highest point of the tower.Poised thus defiantly, in a seemingly impossible position, it remains, writes Private Tucker, a Catholic journalist who has just seen it, ! a protest against “frightfulness” and its upholders.’ The legend which has sprung up among the peasantry says that when the statue falls the war will end. THE HOLY SEE AND WAR SUFFERERS. A glance to-day at the Papal Secretariate.of State •will give an idea of what the Holy See is doing for sufferers by the war. ‘ The organs of usually severe, careful, measured diplomacy have become to-day almost entirely instruments of large and generous charity (says the Irish Catholic), free from subtlety and all outside interests. The Secretariate of State has turned its work upside down, and for two years has been- the means of putting before the warring nations proposals on behalf of the wounded, prisoners, the interned, of sending help to regions devastated by invasion, of efforts to make less awful methods of offence and reprisals. So the Pope obtained the exchange of prisoners unfit for further military service, the hospitalisation in Switzerland of the wounded, and such as needed special care, the exchange of civil prisoners or at least the improvement of their lot, pardon or reduction in the case of many condemnations, suppression of many excessively severe sentences.’ The Secretariate of State is, we read in the Rome letter of one of our American exchanges, the main home of the office of information about prisoners. The offices there seem transformed. Long tables abound, covered with green baize, on them are bundles of letters, forms, and other printed matter; priests, religious, and young laymen are on the move between them classifying and sorting, addressing, indexing, and the enormous heap of letters for the post grows every minute. Outside the Vatican, too, work of translation and transcription goes on in many a religious house. And everything is done in perfect order, there is no confusion. But the most glorious testimony to the work of his Holiness in relieving suffering is found in the mass of letters of gratitude from those relieved. It is impossible to give an adequate acount of them, says the Corriere, one has to see them and then one is overwhelmed. Only the outbursts of gratitude to the Pope himself, from prisoners on the one hand who have been able to get word and affection from. their homes, from fathers, mothers, wives whose anxiety has been appeased, can give an idea of what the Pope’s initiative has done. IRISH GALLANTRY. Earlier in the war the gallant deeds of the Irish at the front received scant mention. Indeed, it was ' some months after the landing at Gallipoli before we ,heard that Irish regiments and played a distinguished part in that great misadventure. Latterly, however, Mr. Philip Gibbs, the Catholic war correspondent who

■ . - is attached to British v headquarters, has been telling us something about the gallantry of Irish, soldiers. The . other - day, after describing the glorious deeds of • the Irish Division, he . states : They have^.a general ,of £heir own blood who is proud of the traditions and ; achievements -of . the old Irish regiments, and keeps - the fire of the Celtic spirit burning by his quick praise of the men who have done well. Besides 500 rewards and decorations given to the officers and men of Irish divisions in a single year, the general has instituted an honors book, in which are recorded the names of men who r have been recommended, not only for single acts rs of 7 gallantry, , but for steady enduring service, and 980 names , have been inserted in twelve months. Each man receives a parchment certificate mentioning his . gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the fieldf and ordering the name of the deed to be entered in the official record of the Irish Division. The men treasure ->■ these certificates. The motto, * Everywhere ana always .faithful,’ bestowed by France on the Irish Division in 1792, since proved at Mons, Le Gateau, the Aisne, Ypres, Loos, and on the Somme, has been revived as . the division’s motto. BEAUTIFUL GIFT TO POPE BENEDICT XV. The French prisoners in Switzerland, the majority of whom are Catholics, and who, like all the other .prisoners interned in that hospitable country, owe the amelioration of their condition to the intervention of the Holy Father, are offering a beautiful tribute of gratitude to their august benefactor. It is the work of the hand of brave men incapacitated for stronger tasks, and was presented to the Pope some time ago. It consists of a tryptic in gilded wood, the style being that of Louis XIV. In the central panel is painted Jeanne d’Arc . on her white horse about to lead her soldiers into battle, while the ‘ poilus ’of to-day ax seen springing from the trenches behind her. The interior of the two shutters are covered with fine embroidery represent ing ancient canons of the altar, and are further adorned by four bloodstones admirably carved. That on the top right hand shutter represents the Sacred Heart dominating the basilica of Montmartre, with the words ‘ Gallia Poenitens et devota.’ On the stone set at the base of the frame is seen St. Louis carrying the Crown of Thorns, copied from a beautiful window of the Abbey at St. Maurice. On the left shutter above, the stone represents our Lady of Victories with the words, attributed to St. Bernard, ‘ Regnum Galliae Regnum Mariae,’ while the last bloodstone represents St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, preaching the second crusade. GLASGOW CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN’S FEAT. A young officer of the Dublin Fusiliers (says a I ret man report), writing home to a friend, says; —‘l dare say you have read about a certain chaplain taking a lot of prisoners at the Ancre ? Well, he was the Rev. Father Thornton, the Dubs’ R.C. chaplain, and it was the Dubs, that were with him. They took a few .hundred prisoners, and he was extra, and kept our boys in great form and fettle.’ The Father Thornton referred to is Father Stephen Thornton, formerly of Cadzow, Renton and Gourock. On voluteering for service with the forces, Father Thornton was at first appointed a Naval chaplain, but has recently been with the military forces in France. He is a member of an esteemed Glasgow Catholic family. THE SEIZURE OF THE PALAZZO VENEZIA. -j,Many of the British daily papers printed censorious remarks regarding the protest made by the Vatican on the action of the Italian Government in seizing the Palazzo Venezia in Rome and declaring the building forfeited by the Austrian Government, to.whom it beand henceforth the property of the Italian Goverpgjent who seized it (says the Glasgow Observer) . But Jew,. if tj any, of the British newspapers told the whole Truth ,about the matter, Perhaps they did not fellow it. , Well, here it is. "‘ ~ “

Centuries ago,, when the Pope . was the . temporal ruler of Rome, this Palazzo Venezia was presented by the Holy See to the Republic or Venice, and in the course of time, through the political -metamorphoses of nations, it passed into the possession of ""Austria, in possession it has remained ever since, being used as the residence in uome of the Austrian Ambassadors to the Vatican. The Papal protest was an extremely mild remonstrance against the infraction of international aw and of Italian promises, involved in the seizure. or * when the war broke out the Italian , Government proffered unsolicited assurance that the Ambassadors to the Holy See resident in Rome, even those from enemy countries, need not retire, as their immunity would be respected under the Law of Guarantees. Fortunately for themselves the Ambassadors made assurance doubly sine by retiring to Switzerland, from which neutral territory they have since discharged their duties as best they can. What would have happened to them had they remained in Rome must be imagined or deduced fi om what has happened to Palazzo Venezia. FOR VALOR. Three V.C.’s have now been won by old boys of yhurst College. The latest recipient is SecondLieutenant Gabriel George Anthony Corny. He was in command of two platoons ordered to dig a communication trench from the old firing line to the position won. By his fine example and utter contempt of danger he kept up the spirits of his men and completed his task under intense fire. Later, after his commanding officer had been wounded, he went out in front in broad daylight and in full view of the enemy, found his commanding officer, and brought him back to the new trench over ground swept by machine-gun, fire. He also assisted in rallying the attacking troops when they were shaken and in leading them forward. When pressed to state how he won the honor the V.C. wrote: ‘ I don’t known why you are so excited about the little affair, which really does not deserve any mention. Anyway, if you want to have it it’s thus: A certain colonel being badly wounded was lying about 75 yards in front of our front line. If he was left out he would have died ;if he was brought in he might live. He was not my colonel, but was married and had children. Volunteers from his own regiment were asked to go over and get him. One went over and was done in. The second went over ; he was done in, and the same with a third. Then as there were no more and the thing was a matter of life and death I went over and brought him in, but the poor man died. I only did my duty, and you must not think it brave. If I had not gone most probably someone else would have done so.’ Sergeant Robert Downie, of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who had also been awarded the Victoria Cross, is 37 years of age. He was born in Glasgow of Irish parents, his father and mother being natives of Laurencetown, Co. Down, lie was educated at St. Aloysius’ School, Springburn, Glasgow, in which district his parents still reside. The deed which won Sergeant Downie the coveted decoration is thus officially described; When most of the officers had become casualties he organised the attack under heavy fire; at the critical moment rushing forward alone, shouting Come on, The ‘ Dubs.’ ” This stirring appeal met with an immediate response. Sergeant Downie accounted for several of the enemy, and in addition captured a machine gun, killing the team. Though wounded early in the fight, he remained with his company, and gave valuable assistance while the position was being consolidated. It was owing to his courage and initiative that the important position which had resisted four or five previous attacks was won.’ Sergeant David Jones, King’s Liverpool Regiment, who lived in Liverpool, has been awarded the Victoria Cross foremost conspicuous bravery,"devotion to duty, and. ability displayed in . the handling of his platoon! The platoon to which he belonged was ordered to a forward position, and during the advance came under heavy machine-gun' fire, the officer being killed and the platoon suffering heavy losses. Sergeant Jones led forward the remainder, occupied the po?itipp, and held ife

Will Not Split

for two days and two nights without food or water until relieved. , On the second day. he drove back three counter attacks, inflicting heavy losses. His coolness was most praiseworthy. - It was due entirely to his resource and example that his men retained confidence and held their post. Sad to relate, Sergeant Jones lost his life in a later engagement. A native of Everton, he was a convert, being received into the Church at St, Anne’s, Liverpool, shortly after the outbreak of war. He was only married in May of last year. He had been at the front about 15 months. - - - Temporary Second Lieutenant Henry Kelly, of the West-Riding Regiment, who has gained the Victoria Cross, is a Manchester man, and before the war lived with his mother at Moston. He is 28 years of age, and was educated at St. Patrick’s Parish School, and later at the Xaverian College, Victoria Park. Lieutenant Kelly won the honor for twice rallying his company under a heavy fire, and finally leading the only three available men into the enemy trench, where he remained bombing until two of them had become casualties and enemy reinforcements had arrived. He then carried his company sergeant-major, who had been wounded, back to the trenches, and subsequently three other soldiers back to our lines. A TOUCHING INCIDENT. The following touching incident is recorded in the Auckland Star of January 2: An impressive and hitherto unrecorded incident of Gallinoli was told to a Star reporter to-day. It occurred in one of the hottest corners of the struggle on a plateau which saw many a beloved hero fall in the Empire’s cause. An Imperial Irish soldier had led a gallant section of men to an advanced outpost, where the Turks were found to be in strong force. A retreat from the spot was found essential, and the officer mentioned discovered himself isolated and exposed to a cross-fire of the enemy. He was forced to take timely shelter in a shattered trench at the end of which lay a young soldier. ‘Hullo, my boy; sure, what’s wrong wid you V said the sergeantmajor. ‘ I’m afraid my end is near,’ answered the youth mournfully. ‘Tut tut!’ replied the officer. ‘ Where there’s life there’s hope, my boy. You’re wounded, I see. Well, now, what religion are ye?’ ‘I am a Catholic, sir.’ ‘Good, I am one, too; but it wouldn’t have mattered, anyhow. Get on your knees, lad, and let us offer up an “Our Father,” and a few “Hail, Marys” together.’ The two soldiers reverently knelt side by side, and while bullets whizzed about them, offered thanksgiving and supplication to the Almighty. They parted without words, and one of the first persons whom the sergeant-major had the pleasure of meeting on landing home in New Zealand was the little private, who happened to be the son of a well-known public official in the Dominion. The private has since left these shores on active service again, and the sergeant-major concerned has been exempted from active service as the result of illhealth, and is now on duty in New Zealand. The latter, in modestly unfolding the details of the story, characteristically remarked: ‘ Bedad, my heart was in my mouth most of the time while in Gallipoli. I was a coward, but, take it from me, that I was never braverif ever braveas I was when I knelt with that

boy, hearing the bullets flying past my head. I felt that nothing could happen to me then, and my confidence was not misplaced.’ . . „ ■•. - ' ' •- : • * - ■- . THE LATE PRIVATE MAURICE REDWOOD —-• ■ ■■ h The following letter referring to the sad death of Private Maurice Redwood, grand-nephew of his Grace Archbishop Redwood, has been received: France, November 1, 1916. To Mr. V. C. Redwood. Dear Sir, — answer to your letter in reference to Private Maurice C. Redwood, whom I am very sorry to say was killed at Poisiers on August 5. Your letter has been handed to me from the 0.C., I being a particular friend of your nephew, Maurice; in fact, we were mates together on the Peninsula and in France. He was also well liked by officers, N.G.O.’s, and men, as he was a boy that never drank, and attended to all his duties, and carried them through without any trouble. I will now state that on the sorrowful day of his death he was in the front line of trenches, and between our front line and the German’s front line (better known as No Man’s Land) were numbers of our boys wounded and killed who, I am sorry to say, over-ran their mark in a charge the previous night. Maurice with several more of the boys in the trenches saw these men in distress and went to their assistance, and I myself saw Maurice carry fine wounded, men back to our trenches under heavy shell fire. A man being severely wounded in the trenches by a high explosive shell, and no stretcher-bearers being at hand, the officer in charge called for two volunteers to take the wounded man to the dressing-station, Maurice being the first to volunteer; and he was carrying out his duty when, I am sorry to say, he was hit on the left shoulder by shrapnel, which, to the best of my knowledge, penetrated through to the heart, as death was instantaneous, and he absolutely suffered no pain, as he had a smile on his face. We buried him about twenty yards from where he was killed, which is situated about 600 yards in front of the windmill which can be seen on the map of Poisiers. We also pi ced a cross with his name and number on the grave ; being a great favorite in our company, the boys, under the circumstances, did all they could for him. Well, sir, I think I have told you practically all about poor Maurice’s- fate, and all the boys in the company join with me in sending you our heartfelt sorrow in the sad loss of your nephew, and the boys who were lucky enough to go through it safely in C Company wish to sign their names at the end of this letter. . Any other information you may think I know kindly let me know and I will be only too pleased to forward it on to you. Yours most sincerely, (Signed) Corporal Thomas Buckley, C. Company, 18th Battalion. ‘ A soldier and a man. He knew his job and did it.’ (Signed) M. A. Appleby, Lieutenant. ‘I knew Maurice as a lad with James Bell and Co., of Sydney. I was pleased to meet him again on joining the 18th Battalion, where I found him a fine

soldier, v always: ready to do his duty - and "cheerful through all. Please accept. my deepest sympathy and be consoled by the knowledge that Maurice died a man.’ (Signed) G. Wilkins, 2nd Lieutenant. • - * Maurice was attached to my platoon for some considerable time, and 1 always found him most willing. In fact, he was the best lad I have come across as yet. Pleace accept my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of so noble a lad.’ (Signed) J. G. Green, 2nd Lieutenant. . The following are the names of the boys who were in the trenches at the time when your nephew, Maurice C. Redwood, was killed : —Q.M. Sergeant W. H. Mayes, Sergeant-Major Clark, W. ,E. Sanson', 3rd 18th Batt., Sergeant J. P. H. Boland, R. Paton, Corporal J. A. Burke, Corporal O. J. Thorpe, Private A. J. Meres, Sergeant H. E. Bull, Sergeant W. Mitchell, M. P. .Cleary, J. J. Montgomery, Corporal W. Scott, M. W. Stokeld, Y. G. Jeffries, J. F. Kenny, T. Faulks, S. H. Foote; 11. Garth, J. L. Gogoll, J. Gleaves, R. G. Nimmo, E. N. Lewis, Arthur Harrison, V. J. Howell, C. I. Ebbrell, Corporal G. Murrell, Albert Miles, Thomas Hambly, Ronald Manning, S. L. Moore, J. H. Bird, C. 11. Coleman, E. E. G. White, W. Perry, M. O’Reilly, H. E. Taylor, J. F. Luck, P. J. J. Whitfield, J. W. Lombard, W. Olsen, J. J. Bourke, Sergeant D. G. Buchanan, Corporal P. C. C. Morrison, S. L. Carey, T. R. Scott, W. Lampard, R. H. Hoskin, E. J. Harpley, G. E. Stokeld, R. McAuliffe, R. Ranken, C. Dunshia, 11. Y. Grey.