New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20
KASER'S ACTION AT
NANCY A MYSTERY
Arrayed Himself as Lohen-
grin for Entry Into
the City.
FOR SOME REASON
CHANGED HIS MIND
France Sure Now That Germans
Are Well on Way to De-
cisive Defeat.
Thy Cable TO The Tribune.l

Thy Cable to The Tribune.l
Nancy, Dec. l9.-Reports received
here from all parts Of the eastern from
tier continue excellent. At st. Meme
hould, Verdun and Belfort the Germans
are being completely held in check. At
several points the French have made
good progress, but as it is a war of
sapping and mining this is naturally
slow, but at the same time il is sure.
The utmost confidence reigns every
where as to the FINAL result Of the
struggle, and the civil population sup
ports the suffering and discomforts
that the war entails with admirable
fortitude and patience. 1t is wonderful
with what promptitude the authorities
in various communes occupied by the
Germans reorganize the administration
the instant their districts are cleared
Of the invaders. Even sport is not for
gotten. Three days ago came across
a score of boys between Epernay and
Mareuileuray playing rousing games OF
football. All the time they were play
ing the thunder of the guns of the
German heavy batteries bombarding
Rheims, barely twelve miles away,
could be heard, but this in no way
dampened their enthusiasm.
Here IN Lorraine, a remnant of the
province wrested from France in 1870,
the hatred of the Teuton is more bitter
than anywhere in France. For forty
four years the population lived in fear
of invasion, and this constant menace
still further increased their resentment.
Kaiser Dressed for Entry.
AS Nancy is an open town a few
miles from the frontier, the inhabitants
were fully prepared for occupation by
the Germans, more so as a formidable
army under the personal command of
the Kaiser was known to be massed just
across the frontier. & few shells were
even fired at the town, which struck
the outlying suburbs, as a warning of
the entry of the Germans. The Kaiser
and his brilliant staff had even mounted
their horses to make a solemn entry
into the ancient capital of Lorraine.
Emperor William had clothed himself
in a superb full dress, snow white uni
form, silver helmet and cuirass of his
chosen regiment of Gardes du Corps,
or bodyguards, which strongly resem-
bles the traditional theatrical attire Of
Lohengrin. The Emperor also donned
the white mantle Of ST. Johns Order.
He hafa brigade of white cuirassiers
in full gala uniform, at the head of
which the Kaiser intended to make
solemn entry into Nancy, mounted on a
reddish chestnut charger, when sud-
denly, for some reason not yet ex-
planned, he abandoned the intent ton,
and to this day no German has set foot
in the city.
Since the French victory on the
Marine and the check to the German
advance on the Aisne and in the north
confidence has returned. The popula-
ton is convinced to-day that victory
is assured. NJ. Mirman, project, to
whose energy and courage the CITY
owes so much, voiced this feeling when
he said to me:
81 am an ex-professor of mathe-
MATES, and know that Mechanically
the defeat of the Germans is certain
Civilians Made Prisoners.
A report from Montmedy, which is
still in the hands of the Germans, re-
ceived here via Switzerland, says that
the town has not suffered greatly. The
Germans have, however, as usual con-
veyed large number of the civil pop
ulation 10 Germany as prisoners.
among them VI. Bautquin, Mayor OF
the village of Reville. who is nearly
eighty years old. At Demvlliers the
Germans have established large
printing Office in the house OF NJ Gou-
zon. a chemist. In the whole district
occupied by them they have set AL pub
lie clocks to German time and forced
the inhabitants to do the same. Forty
five Of the leading inhabitants. includ
ing the justice Of peace and dean OF
the clergy, have been sent as prisoners
to Bavaria.
The town of ROMANCE is in ruins.
as it suffered heavy bombardment both
from the French and German artillery.
More than 600 shells from the French
marine guns fell in the town. The
Germans have constructed a powerful
fort at Demvilliers and have laid down
a light field railway from Romagne to
Spincourt. At Grenilly ten of the in
habitants were shot and seventy sent
as prisoners to Germany.
When the Germans entered the viii
lage of Donnevoux they found dat all
the inhabitants. with the exception OF
thirty, had fed, carrying off all food,
cattle and forage. This so enraged
them that they shot ten citizens as an
examr,e. and sent the remainder pris-
oncrs to Bavaria. They then DELHI |
erately burned the village to the
ground. setting fire to IN hnnsn h, !