The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-18 00:00:00

THE PRUSSIANS 'LOOTING."

The Correrpondent of the Daily Se-tvd(lFTlthog before the
armistice wee concluded) sendf the following

The Prussians appear to be carrying on the war upon
the same principles of international law which formed
many thousand years ago the rule of conquest among
the Israelites. They are spoiling the Egyptians with
a vengeance. Even In this town, under the very eyes
of the King., there is one inn et Boulevard deli. Items
—in which almost every house in absolutely gutted.
The Prussian army may have many excellent qualities,
but chivalry is not among their. 'Wax with them is a
budns as. When a nation is conquered, there is to be
no sentimental pity for it, hut as much is to be made
out of it as possible. Like the elephants, which can
crush • tree or pick up a needle, they conquer •
province and they pick • pocket.
As soon as • Prussian is quartered in a room he sends
for a box and some straw; then carefully and methodi-
cally packs up the clock on the mantelpiece and all the
stray ornaments which he can lay his hands on; and
then, with a tear glistening in his eye for his absent
family, directs them either to his mother, or his wife,
or his ladylove. In vain the proprietor protests ; the
philosophical warrior utters the most noble sentiments
resist cling the horrors of war ; ponderously explains
that the Froich do not sufficiently appreciate the
blessings of peace; and that he is one of the humble
instruments whose mission it is to make these blessings
clear to them. Then he rings the bell, arid, in • mild,
gentle voice, orders his box of loot to be carried off by
his military servant.
Ben Butler and his New Englanders in New Orleans
might have profitably taken lessons from these all.
devouring locusts. Nothing escapes them. They
have long nolo, which they thrust into the ground to
see whether anything of value has been buried in the
gardens. Sometimes they confiscate a house, and then
re-sell it to the proprietor. Sometimes they cart off
the furniture. Pianos they are very fond of. When
they see one, they first sit down and play a few senti-
mental ditties. 'l'hey go away, requieition a cart, and
minstrel and instrument disappear together.
They are a singular mixture of bravery and mean-
ness. No one can deny that they possess the former
quality, but they are courageous without one spark of
heroism. After fighting all day for Fatherland they
will rifle the corpses of their fal en foes of every article
they can lay their hands on, and will return to their
camp equally happy becsurte they have won a gteat
victory for Fatherland, and stolen a watch from one of
the enemies of Fatherland.

They have got now into such • habit of appropriating
other people's property that I confess I tremble when
one of them fixes his cold glahsy eye upon we. I see
that he is meditating some new philosophical dcc..rine
which, scene way or other, will transfer what is in fly
pocket into his. Hi, mind, however, fortunately
works but slowly, and I aw far away from him before
he has elaborated to his own satisfaction a system of
confiscation applicable to me.