Whitlock Attempts to Save Her
The duplicity of the German authorities was later demonstrated. The political departments of the Governor-General of Belgium had given the American Legation positive assurance that it would be fully informed of developments in the case. As late as 6.30 o’clock on Monday evening, three days after the trial, the Legation was positively informed by Conrad, of the political department, in answer to direct inquiries, that sentence had not been pronounced. Conrad renewed his previous assurances that he would not fail to inform the American officials as soon as there was any news. At this time sentence of death already had been pronounced.
At 8 o’clock that evening M. de Leval learned through private but reliable sources that Miss Cavell had been sentenced to death at 5 o’clock that afternoon, and that she would be shot at 2 o’clock the next morning. Thus the fact of her sentence was kept as secret as possible, the officials denying it, and her accusers were evidently so fearful that even at the eleventh hour a plea for mercy might prevail that they had her shot, in the night, within nine hours of her conviction.
When, at 8 o’clock, M. de Leval was informed of the sentence and impending execution, there remained but six hours in which to attempt to save Miss Cavell’s life. He hurried to Mr. Whitlock, who was ill, unable to leave the house, but who wrote an impassioned note to Baron von der Lancken, the Civil Governor:
My dear Baron:—I am too ill to present my request to you in person, but I appeal to the generosity of your heart to support it and save this unfortunate woman from death. Have pity on her.
Yours sincerely,
Brand Whitlock.