Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-21
.P|LLAGERS LACK
SENSE Of SHAME
Able Wetterle Denounces Ger
mans for Their Robberies
and Vandalism.
LOOT is OFFERED FOR SALE
No Denials Made That Con-
quered Countries Have
Been Plundered.

PARIS. November a0.--rhe cele-
brated ecclesiast. Able Wet,erle. who
for years, as member OF tho Reichs;ag
Tor Colnar. champiOned the cause of
the oppressed people Of Alsace-Lor-
rainc and had to flee for his life at
the outbreaks OF the war says in an
article published here:
What strikes, you most in the Ger
man character. as shown during this
war of savagcry. is the total lack of
shame which makes them boast Of
their crimes.
WAR IN CRUELEST FORM
REALLY MOST HUMANE:
Everybody knows how their gem
erals have tried to explain their acts
OF incendiarisin. ri!lagc and organized
murder in Hclg ium and France during
tho first weeks Of the war. Their
object was 10 spread terror among the
enemy and induce him to surrender as
quickly as possible. according to the
theory OF the military writer. General
3ernhardi ana the Catholic member
OF the Relchstag. %ho said: Va in its
crue! form is reall. the most humane
because il lasts shorter
These barbarian theories provoked
outbursts throughout the entire civil
lied world. and still when one knows
the abnormal mentality of the Germans
and their rudimentary psychology one
must admit certain sincerity in their
ferocious doctrines. These worshipers
OF brute force supposed other nations
to possess thei: own shortcomings.
Cruel when successful. cringinr and
servile in adversely. they were unable
TO Imagine that their threats OF cruelty
could produce anything but rapid sub
mission on the part Of their enemies
1T is impossible. however to aprly
the same excuse to their frankly Wei
Gus acts everywhere, of which they are
hoasting. Their soldiers. who are
caught wearing fine women's under
wear and lace handkerchiefs: their Of
hctrs. whose bags are full OF stolen
jeweiry; their generals. who have
shipped carloads Of costly furniture
stolen in France and Belgium to Ger
many. are nothing but common crirni-
nails. as are their manufacturers who
buy up private stocks in the occupied
prices from the military authorities
ANA the wives of officers who come here
under the pretext of visiting their
husbands At The front. but in reality
to renew their wardrobes
"Germany-proud. virtuous Germany
however. does not hesitate to ac-
knowledge her solidarity with these
common thieves. hut even applauds
helT ri
German press agency. in rather vague
manner. denied the report that the
crown prince himself had taken part
in these acts OF robbery. Va have
seen official orders to the effect that
private soldiers must not send 200
bulky parcels hon. 10 their families
This * an undeniable and undenied
TACT. and now We see the great depart
mcnt stores in Berlin coolly announce
ms sales of many articles from the
occupied districts. The officer. have
no more room for these things so they
are sold openly. As the number Of
Germans able 10 buy is rather limited.
some OF the things are offered for sale
abroad Well-known Belgian paint
ings have been offered for sale in
Geneva. but the people OF that city,
whose sympathies are all with France.
put an end TO this traffic
DOCI MENT PROVES
rRi I'll or HIS CHARGES
In my own possession ! have a docu-
ment which to the hilt proves the truth
of the accusations have made 1t is
Il passage in Il long letter signed 'lein
Paul tyour PauD, addressed to Il Lieu
tenant Kurt NJ. prisoner of war in
Il camp in Brittany, dated Berlin An
gust |. 1873. The passage reads:
Here in Berlin life is almost the same
as in time of peace. Only the business
offices Of the newspapers are heSieged
hy more people than ordinarily Al;
Weriheim "a large Berlin shop they
are selling war booty taken at Lille
What makes this letter. which is
written 10y German officer employed
as a teacher nj the military college ut
l.ichtcrfeld. even more rema rk able is
the fact that i, bears a stamp showing
il was passed 10y the German military
ccnSors."