A Noble Woman: The Life-Story of Edith CavellProtheroe, Ernest
History
A Noble Woman: The Life-Story of Edith Cavell
Protheroe, Ernest
Cavell, Edith, 1865-1915
The trial had occupied two days, and had ended on Friday, October 8. M.
Kirschen had promised to keep M. de Leval informed how the matter was
proceeding. He duly notified the date of the trial; but in thorough
keeping with what had gone before, during the two days' progress of the
inquiry he made no sign. He did not disclose that the Military
Prosecutor had asked for the death penalty; he maintained silence even
when the sentence was promulgated. Thus he was a party to cutting off
the unhappy prisoner from the only friends who could bring powerful
influence to bear upon the authorities for a revision of the sentence.
Kirschen not only did not communicate with M. de Leval, but he
disappeared entirely after the trial.
It is placed on record by one present in court that Kirschen pleaded
well for his client, but it is doubtful if it were more than a formal
plea for mercy for one who was prejudged and her fate already sealed.
That Kirschen is believed to be an Austrian by birth, although a
naturalized Belgian, doubtless explains much that for a time had
mystified the officials of the American Legation. It makes one's gorge
rise to think that while the German conspirators pretended to allow the
prisoner a friendly advocate, he was in reality a hideous travesty, a
hypocritical cat's-paw of the Department of the Governor-General.
After the perpetration of the crime M. Kirschen informed a sceptical
world that he was not of Austrian origin, but was born at Jassy, in
Roumania. He also denied that he promised to inform the American
Legation about the sentence, and, in fact, did not know until it was
announced publicly. It need only be commented that M. de Leval's letters
to his chief are in emphatic contradiction, and there is no doubt whose
word is worthy of credence.
Failing to find M. Kirschen or learn any news of him, on Sunday night M.
de Leval went to see Baron von der Lancken. The Baron was out, and Mr.
Conrad, a subordinate, was unable to give any information.
On Monday morning M. de Leval was informed by Conrad that the American
Legation would be made acquainted with the judgement immediately it was
pronounced, at the same time volunteering the assurance that it need not
be expected for 'a day or two.'
M. de Leval did not propose to rely upon any German assurances, and,
further, was bent upon learning some of the details of the trial. In
view of M. Kirschen's continued silence, he called at the house of the
advocate at 12.30, but was informed that he would not be at home until
late in the afternoon. He therefore proceeded to the house of another
lawyer, who had been interested in one of Miss Cavell's fellow
prisoners, but failed also to find that gentleman. However, he called
upon M. de Leval a few hours later, and reported that he had heard that
judgement would be passed on Tuesday morning. He also said that he had
good grounds for believing that the sentence of the court would be
severe for all the prisoners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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