1 Missionshaus
Limburg a/ Lahn 30. Nov. 1915 Dear Sir Roger I beg to thank you for the
scraps from Journals, and also for
P. Ford's Book. All very interesting, and
for me sad reading. You will be glad to hear that my
journey to Munich and stay of
8 days there were very satisfactory.
The Cardinal Nuntius hopes to do
something for me and my flock. He
quite understands matters, and is
of my opinion regarding the changing
of the men to the various camps. He
sees no reason, considering my mission,
why I should not be allowed to visit
the camps where Irishmen are. I laid
before him a full account of my 2 years work. I am having my statement
in writing copied and hope to have a
copy sent in to the Auswaertiges Amt.
The Cardinal asked me if I had made
application to the Ministry of War for
permission to visit the camps, or if I had
suggested the advisability of having
all the Irishmen brought into one
camp so that my ministry should
be thereby very much lighter than
it is. I told him I had written to
a gentleman in the Auswaertiges
Amt. and told him my grievances,
and asked him to obtain this
permission for me. I was assured both
by Count von Wedel and Mr. Meyer
that they would help me in everything.
It was therefore to them I applied,
but for some reason, no answer is forth—
coming. A copy of my letter is I believe by
this time in the Vatican, and I have
reason to believe that it shall be
a testimony to the truth of affairs
as they are, and not as they are repre—
sented to be by the Press reports that
reach Rome. I shall say no more of my interview
with his Eminence. Probably you shall
get a look at my report when it reaches
Berlin. Could it be possible that Mr. Meyer is
from home? or has my letter been lost.
In it I repeated my request for the
leave to visit the camps just as the
English Protestant Mr. Williams has.
I also reminded him that I am to
settle my accounts for expenses of
the past five months, for it is now that
length of time since I had any funds
given me. If you should meet either Mr. Meyer
or the Count von Wedel, I would ask you 3 as a favour to let them know what I write
to you, or at least of as much of it as you deem
necessary. The weather is very cold here, and we
are having much snow and frost. I hope
myself and the boys escape any
bad colds during this inclement season.
I heard during my stay in Bavaria, of the
many interesting articles that appeared
from your pen in the Press there. It is well
to have people know the history of Ireland.
In Bavaria Irish History is always interesting
as the people of that Nation, owe their
Christianity to the labours of an Irish
Missionary, whose name is honoured
and revered there - Kilian - the Martyr
Saint. Is there any chance of meeting you before
Xmas? In any event may the Great Feast
bring us joy and happiness and peace. Yours v. sincerely J.T. Crotty O.P.