(11) 18765 The World Renowned Cathedral of Reims, France. Ruined by the Germans.

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Verso reads: The World Renowned Cathedral of Reims, France, Ruined by the Germans. Before us, marvelous in symmetry and beauty, even though shamefully defaced, towers the Cathedral of Reims, one of the architectural glories and historic shrines of France. This magnificent sanctuary of religion was bombarded and cruelly shattered by the Germans after they were driven out of Reims in September, 1914. They tried to justify their action by the false claim that the towers were being used for purposes of observation by the French, though as a matter of fact the great building was in use as a hospital. Nevertheless the enemy shelled it until the roof fell in, filling the interior with ruins, while some of the delicate stone columns of the towers were demolished and the priceless stained glass windows and countless pieces of exquisite stone carving were shattered. It was concerning the wanton mutilation of the Reims Cathedral that a distinguished German officer, Major General von Ditfurth, made his arrogant and infamous declaration in a leading German newspaper, the "Hamburder Nachrichten," in November 1914, saying:--"It is of no consequence if all the monuments ever created, all the pictures ever painted, and all the buildings ever erected by the great architects of the world were destroyed, if by their destruction we promote German's victory over her enemies. Let neutral peoples and out enemies cease their empty chatter, which is no better than the twittering of birds. Let them cease their talk about the Cathedral at Reims and about all the churches and castle of France which have shared its fate. These things do not interest us." Copyright by The Keystone View Company.

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