Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-19
ALSACE SUFFERS
REIGN OF TERROR,
IS BASEL REPORT
Prussia Iron Hand Felt by
Natives, Though Proved
Innocent of Wrongdoing,
Correspondent Charges.
By JOHN CAMERON

BASEL, Switzerland. Sept. 10.
News from Alsace filters slowly
through. whatever the turn of events.
The impression here is that this stricken
province, the population of which has
suffered in full the miseres of war. there
has been no fighting of moment. although
the sound OF artillery duels near Null
hausen for the last week has been easily
heard in Basel.
It appears now clear that after
brilliant action on September the
French did not enter the town of Muel-
hausen. but contented themselves by oc-
cupying strategical positions in the
vicinity.
The retirement OF the French after
their initial occupation of Muelhausen at
the opening of the war was followed
by a reign of terror which constitutes
one OF the blacklist chapters of the war.
Always suspicious OF the attitude OF the
people OF the conquered provinces. the
Germans needed only an excuse to wrcak
vengeance and terrorlze the population
Scores OF the wealthiest citizens OF
Upper Alsace have either been put In
prison or have suffered grave punishment.
Harboring of French soldiers Is consider
ed sufficient Justification for bloody re-
prisals. the strange theory of the Ger
mans being apparently that the man
whose house is invaded by troops. who
frc from the windows, Is responsible for
their acts. 1t may he true that some
were consenting parties, but many were
helpless.
An inquiry Instituted nj Burzweiler,
near Muelhausen. where the village was
burned, showed that five inhabitants were
executed on charge of harbOrng
Franctireurs, although that there We're
none OF them with the French army has
been proved. The inquiry failed utterly
To establish the charges and proved en-
nhntipa1lt. IN Of ha vic
All the wounds with which the German
soldiers afterwards were inflicted from tho
houses We're certified by the doctors to
have been caused by projectiles used only
by the German army.
II is now understood that the alarm and
the subsequent fusillade by which Ger
man soldiers were Killed by German fire
was caused by Uhlans shooting a
wounded charger behind a brick kiln on
the outskirts OF the town.
The priest of q village not far from
the Rhine told me the following instance:
A shot was heard one night In his viii
lage. 1t was fred from the inn. Troops
surrounded the building and rlddled II
with bullets. Finally, they took II by as
sauIt when its garrison was found to
consist OF two BavaTian soldiers who.
paRic-stricken at the sound OF a shot
fired I'm the night fired their rifles, imAg-
lining themselves besicscd by the French.
They were dragged from the room in
which they were hiding and even their
own clrcumstantial story failed TO sat
lsfy the officers, who proceeded TO shoot
all male inmates OF the inn. The cause
OF the panic was discovered IN a soldier
sleeping I'm n neighboring loft. who had
accidentally fired his rife
These are a few instances OF incidents
OF daily occurrence which have caused a
deep impression on the people OF the
city OF Basel II, in 43 years OF peace.
the Germans have failed 10 win tho az
feCtion OF tho Alsatians, the last few
weeks must have had the effect OF re-
moving further than ever the possibilities
If ever doing So.