AN APPRECIATION OF CARDINAL MERCIER.

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1919, Page 13

AN APPRECIATION OF CARDINAL MERCIER.

Exchange of international visits may be expected to be much the fad in the coming months (says the Post Despatch of St. Louis, U.S.A.). No matter how great the number of these- exchanges and no matter how conspicuous the other personages participating in them, American interest in one announced for some indefinite date in 1919 cannot be dulled. This is a visit by Cardinal Mercier of Belgium. He did not direct armies like Foch. He was denied the privilege of freely expressing, like Wilson, the great principles of Tight and . justice. involved in . the conflict. ._,, (| The. oppressors of his country knew how dangerous would be the use -of that privilege. ;; But, virtually mute, deprived • of means of resistance, he radiated moral influence, issued commands that were none the less obeyed because unheard, exercised , the potent } leadership which- the. imponderables " exercise, assumed command over souls. k V