SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLV, Issue 36, 5 September 1918, Page 23

SIDELIGHTS ON THE WAR

GENERAL. Sandbags protecting the statuary group of Christ and the Apostles in one of the doorways of the Cathedral of Paris have been torn' to shreds, and the head of St. Peter’s statue destroyed by falling bombs. The figure of Christ, at the extreme left of the group, was undamaged; a part of the debris, however, falling, and remaining on the right arm.

A writer from Paris to an American exchange relates that the American regiment which has most distinguished itself in France was formerly known as the Irish Rifles of Boston. The four men decorated by Premier Clemenceau were all Irish. A French officer is quoted as saying he had never known men to fight with such courage and vigor. Ireland has had two historic friends, France and the United States. Irishmen are aiding both friends well by their valor which supports at once the Tricolor and the Stars and Stripes.

A new Catholic work has been opened recently in England St. David’s Hospital for disabled soldiers, which has been established in beautiful premises at Ealing, through the efforts of Lady Annabel Kerr. The hostel was inspected by the military authorities and those of the Ministry of Pensions, who expressed themselves as being well satisfied with its situation and equipment and praised the constitution, which permits the reception of soldiers of any denomination. Nevertheless, the fact remains that it is primarily for Catholic men and to give such Catholic men the spiritual advantages which they do not receive in non-Catholic establishments. A resident chaplain will be always at their disposal, the nursing arrangements are in charge of religious,

Brother Gonzalvus, a former instructor at St. Joseph’s College for Boys, Lowell, U.S.A., has been given the war cross by General Laguiche of the French Army for exceptional bravery in carrying despatches over ground that was being continually showered by German shells. The Brother in private life was Jean Baptiste Besacier. His mother is still living in France, and he has another brother in the service. As a member of the Order of Marist Brothers, he taught at St. Anne Parochial School in Lawrence, Mass., but had been teaching in St. Joseph College, Lowell, for some years when war broke out in 1914.

A new Catholic church has just been opened at Scheveningen, Holland. It is intended to serve the interned British prisoners there, of whom a large number, including many Irish soldiers, are Catholics. There are also “broken” men from Switzerland amongst its congregation, and civilians too. For the present it will also serve those of the Allied prisoners in the vicinity who belong to the faith. There is a resident chaplain, and there was quite a large attendance at the first Mass celebrated in the new church. The Dutch Catholics have helped willingly in this good work, and it has been a source of mutual surprise and satisfaction to find so many Catholics amongst both hosts and entertained. The faith is making great strides in Holland, whose journals (the Mami)ode. and the T>/d), both Catholic papers, have come to the fore greatly during the present campaign. The T;/d has a great reputation for the accuracy and value of its foreign correspondence in the belligerent countries.

The United Press correspondent telegraphed to the Australian papers, under date of August 16: Amiens is no longer threatened, and the salient is deserted. One of the most dramatic ceremonies of the war was the cathedral service on Thursday, celebrating the relief of Picardy’s capital, and re-consecrating the edifice, battered and profaned by German shells and bombs. The Allied soldiers stood or sat between the sandbagged columns. The choir was composed entirely of dusty, uniformed soldiers. The Allied flags fluttered over the altar to the winds blowing freely through the shattered windows. The floor was littered with frag-

ments of ancient masonry. ' In this setting the pastor told the story of the historic cathedral, now rededicated on the Feast of the Assumption. ~ " The Right Rev. Bishop Fallon, D.D., of London, Ontario, Canada, in a recent address described conditions that he observed during his visit to France and England. The Canadian prelate had at least one very comforting assurance to bring to his people. He told them; “During my tour of France I met tens of thousands of Canadians under all conditions. I did not see one man under the influence of liquor. I do not say there was no drinking. The fact that there were inns and canteens shows the contrary, and is the best testimony to the strength and character of our men in this regard. Not prohibition, but temperance, was the condition which I found existing.”