Powers from French Foreign Office, Bordeaux,
Sept. 21.

Without being able to invoke even the appearance of military necessity,
and for the mere pleasure of destruction, German troops have subjected
the Cathedral of Rheims to a systematic and furious bombardment. At this
hour the famous basilica is but a heap of ruins.

It is the duty of the Government of the republic to denounce to
universal indignation this revolting act of vandalism, which, in giving
over to the flames this sanctuary of history, deprives humanity of an
incomparable portion of its historic patrimony.

* * * * *

POPE BENEDICT SILENT.

Authorized Dispatch to The London Daily News, Sept. 27.

Although the Pope is greatly shocked and deeply grieved at the
destruction of the Rheims Cathedral, which he is convinced was entirely
unnecessary, and could easily have been averted, he still declines to
make a public statement. I am merely authorized to state that the Pope's
sorrow at the destruction of the magnificent cathedral is so great that
it is impossible for him to express it.

The Pope is convinced that his sorrow is shared not only by Catholics,
but by all Christians, since all believers in God mourn the destruction
of His temples, which even war does not justify.

A member of the Pope's entourage explained the reasons why a public
statement was not issued. He said:

The Pope's sorrow is understood, if not publicly announced. It is
inconceivable that even if the destruction of the cathedral was
necessary for strategical reasons the intensity of the Pope's
sorrow would be lessened, but a public statement implies blame,
which the Pope thinks now is inopportune and inexpedient, hence he
refrains from any comment. God's mercy is undoubted; His justice
inevitable. Time will show whether the criminal destruction of one
of the most famous of the world's cathedrals will remain
unpunished. Vengeance is God's

* * * * *

ATTACK NOT WILLFUL.

Statement by Count von Bernstorff, German Ambassador at Washington,
Sept. 23.

It would seem from certain published reports that the destruction of
this grand old edifice was the result of malice or envy. This is
ridiculous. All that I have to say on this matter is that I am positive
that the attack on the cathedral at Rheims was not willful.

For my part, I feel much more for the tho