Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-05-01
cpRMAN Observation-Disclosures.

TTERE Is an authenticated letter from French wo-
IA man which reveals the murderous brutality Of Ger
soldiers in dealing with non-combatants and their
property No American read It without exper-
fencing feeling OF loathng for military system
which would encourage countouance permit such out
RACES and equally strong feeling Of sympathy for
civil population subjected such horrors. The letter
is as follows:
Madam
Notwithstanding the pain it gives me- will answer
your kind letter az once, knowing that you are shar-
ing my great sorrow for my dear martyrs.
1t would take too long TO describe all have been
through On the 18th Of August, 1914 they were fight
ing at Badonver. The battle ended about eleven
thirty in the morning. Then the soldiers began 10 come
from every side so stayed in our cellar, not dar-
ing TO come forth l have no idea how long we were
there but after time heard noise in the
barn Papa said "rhey are taking our cows II only
they will leave one so that we can have milk for the
children"
But we soon found that was not the case. They had
set fire to the house knowing in It, AS there
exit from the back of the house, we had TO
jump out through a window in the front There the
soldiers were waiting. AS my mother came out they
began shooting at her I took my sX-months-od
baby, and jumped after my mother. They fred at me
just in the same way They my husband came holding
our four-year-old daughter in his arms. They We're
nring at him and the child My father last OF all
The firing went on. He fell, wounded near the house
my dear mother also
My husband was wounded a little further away and
fell on top Of the child he had in his arms SO had
TO so back through all the firing TO get my little girl
from under her father. Stn holding my baby in my
arms, I cried TO them TO have pity on me and my
children; but they kept firing.
do not know how / escaped. The thin wrapper /
wearing pierced with holes found refuge in tho
cellar Of the Justice OF the Peace OF Badonver Whae
suffered in that cellar all alone It is impossible for
me TO tell Ny husband, not knowing what had became
OF us, calling He suffered all that dat. I
could not risk life 10 to them and leave my lit
lie children alone the earth. They we're all naked
in the field for three days My father and mother were
burnt up. Now they buried in little garden.
Persons told me my husband all cut to pieces.
Nneiy-hvo houses were set ON FIRE that same day, but
our house on the corner Of two roads, the first
We suffered most of all
Many persons killed also but l do not know
much what happened after that
went away with my little the high roads I
slept in barn night and proceeded further in
abe Vosges mountains. My little girl has been very ~
Ny children not strong. They suffered from ex-
posture and lack Of food Through tho savage acts OF
the Germans left widow, with two little chill
dren. ] have relatives and home Il is hard
sometimes TO control my feelings as have this hor-
rible sight before my eyes. l wish could find some
work to do, such as embroidery etc
Signed, NJ GRBEBER,
chez JOlan, Grande Reu Bayou.
Mouse ct Moselle France
certificate given by the Mayor Of Badonvler under
Of December a. 1916 shows that the letter Of that
poor woman is in no sense exaggerated i is merely
one OF thousands OF instances OF German frghtnness
as practiced Of the Kasers upon non-combatants
in their invasion Of France and Belgium which have
aroused the honor and resentment OF the world
We desire to acknowledge, with thanks tho recent
NIL